Jagex brings RuneScape, the first western mainstream MMORPG, to the mobile market. Old School RuneScape will be available as a free app for smartphones and tablets in winter 2017. Our author Leya spoke with Jagex Senior Product Manager Matt Casey about the development of Mobile Crossplay. RuneScape has apparently always been suitable for mobile devices.
Jagex will soon allow its players to play RuneScape from anywhere. In winter 2017, Old School RuneScape will be available for free download.
Old School RuneScape is an older version of the MMORPG classic from 2007. This old version still has a core of loyal players who receive weekly updates from the developers. The “normal” RuneScape will join the App Store a little later than Old School RuneScape.
The special feature of the app will be that RuneScape can seamlessly switch between PC and mobile device. This means players can start RuneScape on the PC and switch to their phone or tablet in the middle of playing. The app will start exactly where the players left off on the PC. Conversely, switching from mobile to PC works the same way.
I had the opportunity to speak with Matt Casey. He is a Senior Product Manager at Jagex and is working intensively on the Mobile Crossplay of (Old School) RuneScape. Casey revealed to me that players did not want a stripped-down mobile version of RuneScape.
“Our players want the full MMORPG experience on smartphones and tablets”
At Jagex, the developers work closely with their players and regularly gather feedback and wishes. For example, players of Old School RuneScape determine through a poll which weekly mini-updates make it into the game.
In a player survey, Jagex found that 90% of active and 64% of inactive players are interested in playing RuneScape on mobile devices. However, the players also stated that they want to play the full version on their smartphones or tablets.
Especially, inactive users stated they would love to continue playing RuneScape.
Busy players want more flexibility – Lack of time is secondary
RuneScape has been around since 2001. Many former RuneScape players dove into the fantasy MMORPG as teenagers back then. For them, there were still free weekends, few obligations, and long summer vacations. Perfect for grinding, leveling, and exploring the joyful world of RuneScape for hours.
These players have since grown up and lead busy lives. With work, children, and household, there is often little room for a complex MMORPG. According to Casey, it’s not necessarily time that players lack, but more flexibility.
Many of the inactive players indicated that they would return to RuneScape with a full-fledged mobile version.
They have the need to play the MMORPG of their youth on the go, whether on a bus or on the way to work. They want to casually sit by their little children’s beds and pass the time when the little one has a restless night. Or simply indulge in some extra 5 minutes on the toilet with farming.
RuneScape has always been tailored for mobile devices
RuneScape will be the first major mainstream MMORPG from the west to enable mobile crossplay. I was surprised that a classic like RuneScape would be one of the first to take this step.
Matt Casey told me that RuneScape has been designed for mobile since its inception in 2001. Could Andrew and Paul Gower, the founders of Jagex, have known 16 years ago what a strong impact the mobile market would have in 2017? Probably not.
It may have been a fortunate gut feeling to build (Old School) RuneScape in a way that completely relies on point-and-click mechanics. According to Casey, this is extremely easy to implement on mobile devices. The same applies to the camera perspective that Old School RuneScape uses. This allows developers to quickly offer their Old School RuneScape as a full version for smartphones and tablets.
The biggest challenge is to adapt the interface for smartphones and tablets. The different screen sizes of devices are a tricky task in technical implementation. Getting the client on mobile devices is relatively easy. Casey promised that the versions between mobile devices and PCs will always be in sync.
The technology and the needs of the players aligned at this time to enable mobile crossplay in winter 2017.
Gameplay trailer of Old School RuneScape
In this gameplay trailer, you can get an idea of Old School RuneScape. The point-and-click mechanics are ideally suited to bring the MMORPG classic to mobile devices.
Jagex wants to primarily reach inactive core players
Casey is aware that Old School RuneScape might deter the casual “Candy Crush player” in the App Store. A school MMORPG that also looks a bit dated is certainly not for everyone.
Primarily, the developers want to reach their inactive core players with mobile crossplay. However, Casey believes that a broader audience could also enjoy the fantasy MMORPG. The model of weekly updates and the gameplay of Old School RuneScape fits the fast-paced mobile market.
At this time, Casey could not say what requirements mobile devices need to meet to run (Old School) RuneScape. However, Jagex is oriented to the mobile devices that their core players use.
What about you? Would you play the MMORPG classic Old School RuneScape on your smartphone or tablet?
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