Jagex discussing MechScape at E3!

Main points of interest:

The article confirms that MechScape is to be released Q1 2009 if all goes to plan.
The graphics are to be a step up from the recently released RuneScape HD.
Aimed at a more mature audience
More complex gameplay whilst retaining "jump-in jump-out" ideals
Will be browser based

Source: http://www.massively.com/2008/07/15/jagex-...cape-mechscape/

Nice nice. Aimed at a more mature audience like to see how they do that.
Theres a link to MSW in the article :) and they talk about nosy fans..they've found out about you Ren..

Wow MechScape Central and MechScape world are the only fan sites they have up there!
And MechScape Central is actually connected to us, they didn't put up that other fan site
that we had a little problem with.

But gratz MechScape World and the admins (Ren especially) for getting notice by Jagex
as nosy, since we are.

I bet they'll be crying once they eventually find out..

I like the sound of "It's going to be the next step or two beyond Runescape HD in terms of technology, and a slightly more mature product".

They also talk about it at http://www.g4tv.com/mmoreport/videos/27197...ial_Part_1.html - thanks for your post.

"It's pretty common knowledge that we are working on a new MMO which is going to be launched in Q1 of next year. It might be a little bit sci-fi... its nothing like Runescape, gonna be browser, browser based so exactly the same technology but its going to be aimed at an older demographic and it might be a little bit sci-fi".

I'm now officially a "nosy fan" heh (but I think that was from the journalist not from Jagex). Fun that they link to both of my sites.

So would this be the first official confirmation of Mechscape's existence as 'Mechscape' then? If so, woot.
Also, their description of it really made me perk up; 'aimed towards a more mature audience, more challenging, even more progressed than RS-HD's technology whilst still retaining Runescape's browser based playability.' This may finally be the thing that lets me give my consoles a rest.

And grats Ren on being Jagex's #1 nosy fan.

Yes, it is the first time they've acknowledged that their new MMO is called MechScape. Iddison previously said he couldn't comment when asked if their new MMO was the MechScape brand.

So now do you guys believe me that that guy told me its was in march of next year...
sheesh... and cool

Aimed at mature audiences! Yay! Lets hope we don't see it on Miniclip...

Oh my gosh Frost! I forgot all about that, I guess you were right!

I'm still waiting for the name of the event you supposedly went to, but you saying "spring 2009" seems more plausible now that you spoke to someone.

Still waiting on them to release some more information. Does anybody here have any connects, or know anybody that might? Jagex are pretty secretive but they can be broke, just like anyone else.

But in all seriousness, even though it's near a year away, I'm glad we at least know when it's going to come out. I just hope that they put their time and effort into it wisely, and not slop something around. The fact that all that's been released are some concepts for a character design is kinda frightening when you think about all that's to be put into a successful game. But like I said, Jagex is pretty secretive, so we might only think that we're getting the exclusives.

Considering how nobody knew about RuneScape HD before the official announcement I think the fact we had its name, genre, concept art and logo before any official mention is pretty good going. Jagex have publicly stated they are being quite secretive about it. And Jagex are definitely not broke, they are

In 05-06 Jagex had pre-tax profits of £10.2m with a 60.7% profit margin and dividend payout of £5 while in 07 they had a turnover of £28m with pre-tax profits of £15m giving a profit margin of 53.5% and dividend payout of £8.6m. And that is with all their heavy R&D in FunOrb, MechScape and RuneScape HD coming out of their profits but not yet earning them money. This puts Jagex in good stead for the future and means they can easily afford to start investing in ThirdScape now that their other investments are about to start paying off.

Yeah read about this, runescape now officially being ranked #4 MMO and the MMOMG magazine is running an article on runescape clans, see rsc for details.



I love that part.

I love it too!

Something besides this 3-yr-old catering.

Read the link and its also saying the gameplay is more complex, which is great because clicking "cut down tree"-[receieve log + wc experience] could be understood by someone who hasn't even begun playing the game which is really very tiresome tbh.

http://www.warcry.com/articles/view/interv...alk-RuneScape.2



His "two and a half years claim" places MechScape development as starting around February 2006, which is a little later than Seru's CV which says he was lead modeller and assistant concepter from April 2005 - October 2006. Still, they seem to be quite adamant that MechScape is targeted at an older audience. It also affirms that Jagex intend to keep working on RuneScape.

MSW is famous!

Hehe, I highly doubt it.

Congrats to MSW for being named in the article.

Actually if there aiming it at more mature audiences I think that means there aiming at more mature audiences. Which means if you doubt that you may as well doubt its going to be called Mechscape. And then you may as well put on a tinfoil hat and doubt your existence.

I think that's a little overstated - please be more respectful in the future. I do, however, feel that Jagex are genuinely intending for MechScape to be tailored to suit an older audience. Whether they achieve their goal or not only time will tell.

{snipped}



Yeah, what was I thinking? Actually being skeptic about what comes out of Jagex's mouth. What they say are just words, nothing more. RS wasn't always aimed for a younger audience, but look at it now....

Is it possible? I guess. But still, considering the success Jagex has had making RS and its updates towards a younger audience, then I find it hard to believe they would make it based at a more mature audience (such as a harder learning curve, more challenging, etc.). The reason I doubt it so much is because most of Runescape's players are of a younger age..

Don't get me wrong, it's possible, but I'm just being skeptic. In all honesty, I will have to see it to believe it. Until then, I will remain skeptic on Jagex's claims.

This looks Very appealing, But the only Way I'll play is if everything starts over . If people can't transfer their stuff like RSC to RS2.

That issue is being discussed here.


I already told the user to be more respectful so you don't need to go over the top with it. Feeling aggrieved does not give you the right to be rude.

I apologize Ren, got a little out of hand.

I'll edit my post.

What exactly are we talking about here? it seams like everyones going off topic lol

Sweet mature audience!!

I think the more mature audience is a good approach as they are probably aiming to reach those who are bored of RuneScape but want something similar but a new challenge. Whereas the younger people who are more fans of medieval fighting and swords and shields will concentrate on RuneScape (generally age range 10-16), those who are around 16+ may prefer to go for the more technically advanced MechScape.

I think maybe it will be a bit more complex, that is all.

I highly doubt they will make it for mature players or however you want to put it. They would loose too much business, or maybe, they can keep playing Runescape, and we can play MechScape.

I like the sound of "Aiming it at a more mature audience".

Woo, the name has finally been confirmed! They're letting us come out of the dark, just a bit. Now we just have to wait till they release some game content info. ;)

*Though I sort-of doubt they will..*

This has revealed pretty much everything I was hoping for. Looking forward to seeing improved graphics, although I do feel there is always going to be heavy limitations due to use Java, though we'll have to wait and see before passing judgement I guess!