What is MechScape?

MechScape is Jagex’s upcoming futuristic Java-based space MMORPG, based on the technologies developed for RuneScape. People who worked on MechScape have said that it will contain a few hundred vehicles, and that they are “trying to find ways that we can take the genre forward in terms of story telling and player grouping, while also developing cool missions and minigames”. Any site claiming to have a public beta or private beta sign-up is a scam and should be reported to Jagex immediately.

What will it look like?

While we have conceptual artwork and know it will contain a few hundred vehicles and use low-polygon graphics, we have no in-game screenshots. We do however have the following MechScape logo, as trademarked by Jagex (source). Feel free to discuss it on the relevant forum thread.

What is the proof? How did you find it?

MechScape World’s Lead Researcher Ren began researching MechScape on the 25th of September 2007 and we have worked hard to document a vast amount of verifiable evidence on our information page. Sources include the UK, EU and US trademark offices, websites of current and former employees, the LinkedIn business networking service, domain name WHOIS information and Jagex’s own job advertisements and public statements. For more of the story, read Ren’s forum post on the matter.

While Jagex have stated that various projects are in the works, they have neither formally announced the game nor explicitly denied it. To quote Mod Craddock: “I’m afraid that I cannot discuss MechScape. I can’t even confirm if it is a new game”, and to quote Mod Stevew “Jagex Moderators will not contribute to any threads in relation to this subject” (FunOrb QF 16-17-156-3111). These statements are consistent with their policy of not discussing unreleased titles for fear that users will be fooled into signing up to fake beta sign-up websites, for example Jagex kept very quiet about FunOrb prior to its release.

How long has MechScape been in development?

The earliest evidence of Jagex actually developing MechScape dates to April 2005, when John Seru states he started working on “an online space mmorpg”.

When will MechScape come out?

Jagex’s Imre Jele stated there will be a new MMO going live “next year”. (Source) and CEO Geoff Iddison said that people should expect a new MMO to be released Q1 early 2009 (source).

What is Mechscape’s homepage?

The currently domain “Mechscape.com” was registered in 2003, but it is only verifiable that Jagex has owned it since 2005. It is unused, meaning there is currently no website linked to the domain, and any site claiming to be an official MechScape site is a scam and should be reported to Jagex. (Source)

Will MechScape replace RuneScape?

Jagex have stated in 2007 that RuneScape will remain as the “main investment focus for Jagex for the next five years” (source). There is no indication that RuneScape will ever be discontinued.

Is MechScape browser-based or downloaded?

Jagex haven’t been recruiting non-Java programmers, and their name stands for “Java Gaming Experts”. They have stated that they want to build future products on their existing technologies, and have been recruiting graphics artists who can do low-polygon work. We therefore feel it is likely that MechScape will be Java-based and browser-based. However, seeing as Jagex recently announced a hardware accelerated graphics mode for RuneScape, it is very possible that such a feature will be provided for MechScape also.

Can I use my RuneScape account?

Considering FunOrb and RuneScape share accounts, it is likely that you will be using the same username and password on MechScape as you did on RuneScape and players of all three games should be able to communicate with each other. However, we feel that any stat or item links between the two games if far from likely.

Will MechScape allow PKing or unbalanced trading?

Seems unlikely considering the arguments they gave against it on RuneScape still hold up. However, when asked in an in interview “If you want to tackle it at a core level, is there an argument for getting rid of the inherent grind mechanics of the genre that real-world trading has grown up around trying to ‘cheat’?”, Jagex’s Imre Jele responded “That’s a very, very interesting idea, and the only thing I can tell you now is that we have some amazing products going live next year - a new MMO - and we are tackling this issue at a core design level. I think you summed up a very reasonable way to approach this”. (Source).

How much will Mechscape cost?

We don’t know, but Jagex have invested a lot of money in it so it is unlikely to be free, although it is likely that as with FunOrb and RuneScape certain content will be accessible for free as a lure.

What is FunOrb?

FunOrb is the name of the new Jagex arcade and is available at forums to discuss more, and read its News forum for the latest information. We also suggest browsing our site as we will display all known resources as soon as they become available. It is always a good idea to keep an eye on the [url=http://jagex.com/corporate/Jobs/vacancies.ws]Jagex vacancy page[/url] and the relevant thread on the official RuneScape Forums is QF23-24-117-55498190 (thanks to RS Forum Mod marcusorion2 for doing a good job moderating it and keeping it alive - remember you aren’t allowed to direct people to third party sites on RSOF).

[Note: Thanks to members on the for submitting many of these questions]