Jagex Interview Pt 3 - MechScape Sci-Fi MMO Options

[PoultryChamp]

It's up! Big thanks to MMOHub for the interview, which you can comment on here. I think I speak for all of MechScape World to say thank you Brendon for your fantastic set of interviews, and thank you Mark for speaking so well. We look forward to MechScape. The interview is below:

Interview with Jagex CEO Mark Gerhard: Part 3 of 3, 'MechScape,' sci-fi MMOs, and 2009

Welcome to the third and final portion of our three-part interview series with Jagex's new CEO, Mark Gerhard. In Part 1, Mark talked about his own past, Jagex's history, and his own thoughts on how Jagex should change. In Part 2, he spoke about their popular free-to-play MMORPG "RuneScape," covering its past, present, and future. And now, in the final third part, Mark talks about Jagex's other titles -- such as "MechScape" and "Armies of Gielinor" -- and about what 2009 may hold for the company.

Brendon Lindsey, Chief Editor, MMOLife Network: You've mentioned it once or twice, but for those who don't know, you guys have been talking recently about working on "MechScape," a sci-fi MMO...

Mark Gerhard, CEO, Jagex: Yes.

Is that something you've been working on for a while? And is it tied into "RuneScape's" development at all?

Gosh, I think it's nearly four years in the making. So there's a significant amount of effort into this. Basically, a few years ago we sat down and said, "You know what" -- when we started out "RuneScape" we said "This is cool and fun, but I wish we did this, or that, and we can't change this now..." So with this one we went, "Now we know what to do, so what if we built this game with all of this stuff in mind."

I mean, "RuneScape" evolved over nine years with all these developers on it, and you can tell. It has all these different flavors. And, you know, it's quite organic. So we thought about, from the start, what if we had a bigger design brief, with these robots almost like Mech’s, and it was very consistent. And it was only meant to be a year-long project originally launched in 2006. But every year we went "Wouldn't it be better if we did this..."

So the 2006 project became a 2007 one, when I joined it was a 2008... Now it's looking like 2009. But we'll talk about that when it's closer to the gate!

For all intents and purposes the game is done. It's finished, in testing, and working. But we're in testing and going, "What if we change this..." I suppose we're so excited about what the end result can be that we're tolerating all these changes in 11th hour so to speak. There's nothing really arbitrary, ti's all things we think will really help gameplay or make it more fun. I do expect it to be released in 2009, but it's hard to guarantee these as I'm sure you know. The Studio is however doing a fantastic job and working tirelessly to get the game awesome and ready for Beta.

Traditionally sci-fi MMORPGs don't succeed as well as fantasy, so how are you combating that?

That's a good question. I suppose "MechScape" should be clarified as it's not a traditional sci-fi MMO. Even the name, it probably won't be "MechScape." Certainly four years ago it would be sci-fi, robotic, and mech-like. But even now, that's just one of four factions, if you will. So it's grown and evolved as the sci-fi genre allows.

I suppose, if you look at who's the most successful but also hardcore, you'd have to look at "EVE." I would say "MechScape" is not going to be as hardcore; it's kind of casual like “RuneScape”, but still gives you the depth, complexity and intrigue that all of the sci-fi MMOs can bring.

We're conscious of what's out there, and of things that haven't worked. But, I think we feel that ours is uniquely different. Alternatively, it may not work for those very factors. But, we think having taken the best lessons, if you will, from "RuneScape" and still making it casual and accessible for a different audience, we've gotten the best of both worlds.

As always with these things time will tell, but we're quite confident about it.

You guys also came out recently with "Armies of Gielinor," which takes place in the "RuneScape" universe. Do you guys have plans to put out other things taking place in the "RuneScape" world eventually, or was that a side project that turned into a fun game?

It actually was a side project that we thought would make a fun game, and it ended up being tremendously successful. Probably one of the most popular games on the [FunOrb.com] service right now. And that taught us that "RuneScape" has an incredibly loyal fan base and is a strong IP, so we'll probably do a lot more with it, but that's a reasonably new element.

"Armies of Gielinor" is a great example of what FunOrb was made for, to test new things without having to spend millions a big project. One of the things Jagex likes the most is inventing, be it a whole new product like Mechscape or a game like "Armies of Gielinor." I don't think it would be fair to our creatives to just shoe-horn them into the "RuneScape" world, we like doing lots and having fun, really. But, I do think we will look at other "RuneScape" opportunities. And, at the same time, I'd like to make sure we remain innovative outside of that sphere as well, because we can.

So is 2009 still the "Year of upgrading 'RuneScape'" for Jagex, even if you're going to be looking at other opportunities?

Yeah, that strategy was actually set by Andrew pre-myself taking over. And, you know, I think it already had a lot of momentum. And you're going to see a ton of upgrades on the game from content and gameplay to graphics and stuff coming throughout the year.

The problem we've got is that there are so many opportunities. We maintain documents we call “master plans”, these lists, are of all the awesome cool things we want to do. And the challenge is the list is like 300 projects long. We're always wrestling with the top 10 on the list, and it's always "That's cool, we should do that." "No, let's do that one." It's hard, what do you sacrifice?

So the hardest thing right now is not deciding what we could do; the hardest part for us deciding what not to do.. So that's where we are. The order of projects tend to change rather fluidly, but I think that the overall trajectory is kind of set on what we want to do with "RuneScape."

But if that changes you'll be the first to know! [laughs]

Thanks for taking the time out of your two-job schedule to talk, Mark! I'll let you get home now!

[laughs] Thank you! Take care, Brendon!

I'd like to thank Mark for taking a big chunk of time out of his day to chat with me. Hopefully, fans of Jagex's products and those interested in the MMO scene enjoyed the interview, and came away knowing a little more than when they entered. Be sure to check back for more interviews in the future, as well as more news on Jagex's games and services.

http://mmohub.org/news/interview-mechscape...s-and-2009/307/

[Ren]

Game is pretty much done? Robots will be a faction? Awesome stuff. The whole thing about how they were gonna release it ages ago tallies with their statements to Companies House. Also sounds like they still haven't decided on a name.

[Dirk]

Well I think an early summer release is all but out the window... He's not even confident MechScape will be out in 2009. The interview did, however, tell us that not all the playable races will have "mechs". Kinda neat.

[PoultryChamp]

Game is pretty much done? Robots will be a faction? Awesome stuff. The whole thing about how they were gonna release it ages ago tallies with their statements to Companies House. Also sounds like they still haven't decided on a name.

I do hope they keep it MechScape. Even if it's cheesy, it gives the game an automatic boost. Bring up Funorb, our sister site, FunOrb World, is having trouble even keeping anyone active and it's on the first page for FunOrb! I love Daniel but who plays FunOrb? It's got several amazing games in their own respect - but WHO plays it? Long-term they have to think of the best name and MechScape gives them an instant PR boost. When your BRAND *-scape is a steamrollin' down a street and taking our competitors left and right, you exploit the brand name and you keep that brand name.

I'm sure MechScape, a rose by any other name, will be an amazing game. But if they really want to keep it afloat I think a strong brand is going to be needed.

[Pliigi]

Even the name, it probably won't be "MechScape."

That's so lame...

Anyway, this makes me even less confident for a release date anytime soon

[SuperStevee]

I'm a member on FunOrb but I just don't really think theres a need for fansites. When I go on RS fansites it's 99% of the time for guides. FunOrb really doesn't need guides. No matter what the name of MechScape is I think it will still be able to support fansites just because of the amount of content.

[JJ17400]

All i got out of that was more disappointment, it was a year long project and as moved on to 3 years, and maybe another. For me its getting old hearing we are making it awsome. I understand they are worried about bugs and stuff but it seems like they have gotten OCD about it.

This post has been edited by JJ17400: May 29 2009, 04:40 PM

[Half]

darn, I hope it comes out this summer.
And to PoultryChamp, i don't really like the name "Mechscape" it's just my opinon, why do they need the word -scape in it if they've already said it will have nothing like Runescape.
Either way Mechscape or not, im still hyped for the release of the game.

[PoultryChamp]

I think this'll go down as the most hyped game ever. C'mon, having a fansite nearly (lets hope) 2 YEARS before you release a game. That's a record!

[JJ17400]

Thats if they ever get over their OCD with the bugs and making it "awsome"

[PoultryChamp]

Thats if they ever get over their OCD with the bugs and making it "awsome"

Who's up for Mark Gerhard in a dress for charity day?

[tb0w]

First post (even though I have been following Mechscape forums for a few months now) I just hope Mechscape, or whatever the heck the name will be, will come out before August because then I'd be in College and it would be hard for me to find time to play it... Also he says in the interview that the game is "finished" so why don't we have any screenshots or a teaser trailer??????? Meh.. Oh well. It will be done when it is done I guess...

[Honour]

I do expect it to be released in 2009, but it's hard to guarantee these as I'm sure you know.

You have to be kidding me

This post has been edited by Honour: May 29 2009, 05:08 PM

[urantis]

they "expected" it to come out Q1 of 09...hrrm. I'm questioning wither i should trust them this time. I do think a name change is in need, if the game doesn't revolve around mechs anymore. It could seem a little silly. They should still keep the scape in there though

maybe sense there so stuck on it being "awesome"...it could be called awesomescape or OCDeverythingisperfectscape

[Charmedpop]

Game is pretty much done? Robots will be a faction? Awesome stuff. The whole thing about how they were gonna release it ages ago tallies with their statements to Companies House. Also sounds like they still haven't decided on a name.

I do hope they keep it MechScape. Even if it's cheesy, it gives the game an automatic boost. Bring up Funorb, our sister site, FunOrb World, is having trouble even keeping anyone active and it's on the first page for FunOrb! I love Daniel but who plays FunOrb? It's got several amazing games in their own respect - but WHO plays it? Long-term they have to think of the best name and MechScape gives them an instant PR boost. When your BRAND *-scape is a steamrollin' down a street and taking our competitors left and right, you exploit the brand name and you keep that brand name.

I'm sure MechScape, a rose by any other name, will be an amazing game. But if they really want to keep it afloat I think a strong brand is going to be needed.

I'm a member on FunOrb but I just don't really think theres a need for fansites. When I go on RS fansites it's 99% of the time for guides. FunOrb really doesn't need guides. No matter what the name of MechScape is I think it will still be able to support fansites just because of the amount of content.

I play it.

I think SuperStevee is right on when he said members of FunOrb don't need a fansite. The only people who would really go to to a fansite for FunOrb are those who dedicate a lot of time on it but (as it's marketed) it draws in a lot of casual gamers. I'm sure had they put "Scape" somewhere in the title it could have done slightly better but I think they went the right direction there.

I actually want it to be called MechScape but I can see why they'd want to change it. I kinda wonder if the only reason they're not releasing it is because the name.

I think this'll go down as the most hyped game ever. C'mon, having a fansite nearly (lets hope) 2 YEARS before you release a game. That's a record!

We should count ourselves lucky, imagine how fans of Duke Nukem Forever must feel. The game has been in development for over 10 years.

[Psioptics]

Ooo, nice confirmation of robots/mechs being a faction. Should make for an interesting back-story.

Meh.. Oh well. It will be done when it is done I guess...

Annoying thing is we've pretty much just been told it is done. :S

C'mon, having a fansite nearly (lets hope) 2 YEARS before you release a game. That's a record!

We deserve a medal for waiting so patiently for so long and with such little info. Seriously. Jagex, if you're reading this, I demand a medal of some description once IStillDon'tHaveANameScape is released. A cash alternative is also acceptable.

[Xelb]

I am extremely glad to hear that MechScape (tentatively) is finished and in working condition. As I expected though, Jagex is still testing and tweaking out of the bugs. One thing is for certain though, it is a 2009 project. Thankfully we won't have to expect this in 2010, since it seems almost certain that it will be released this year. Thanks for posting the interview!

[urantis]

We should count ourselves lucky, imagine how fans of Duke Nukem Forever must feel. The game has been in development for over 10 years.

I found this kind of funny. Its from the Duke Nukem forever wikipedia page

After setting and pushing back several release dates, since 2001 they said it would be released "when it's done".

i feel dejvue all the sudden

don't get me wrong though, i'm still optimistic about this.

This post has been edited by urantis: May 29 2009, 07:09 PM

[EchoNova]

Certainly four years ago it would be sci-fi, robotic, and mech-like. But even now, that’s just one of four factions

I guess we know the fourth species!


Glad to hear the game is "done," now we wait until Jagex is done picking at it.

[whovian39]

Nice but he hasn't told us much hes still keeping a lot to himself. Mind you that funorb armies of glienor bit was pretty interesting i had no idea how sort of informal they rate funorb (if you get what i mean). Anyway is that his last interview?