Source: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/ja...or,761614.shtml




Jagex Gains Strong Momentum for 2009, Reinforces Position as Leader in Multiplayer Games

SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- 03/25/09 --
2009 Game Developer's Conference --
Jagex, Ltd., the largest independent game developer in United Kingdom, has
achieved rapid acceleration in its business as 2009 progresses, emerging
from the two most profitable quarters in company history and growth among
its existing game properties, RuneScape and FunOrb. On the heels of this
momentum, Jagex will be launching its second, highly anticipated massively
multiplayer online game (MMOG) later this year. The game -- under the code
name MechScape -- has already generated significant buzz among gaming
enthusiasts, and will appeal to both existing RuneScape players and an
entirely new audience of online gamers.

In addition to strong profits, Jagex has grown in size with three UK-based
offices and nearly 400 employees -- 150 of which are dedicated to player
support. Under the guidance of CEO Mark Gerhard, the company continues to
focus on research and development across all games and is emphasizing
player engagement and satisfaction for the coming year.

"Jagex's many achievements throughout 2008 are a direct result of our
long-term commitment to improving all aspects of our games and delivering
continued excellence to our players," Gerhard said. "From the content,
graphic enhancements and updated game-play mechanisms in RuneScape HD
through the addition of more original games in the FunOrb catalog, Jagex
has remained on the cutting edge of game development. And this is just the
beginning -- 2008 was a record-breaking year for Jagex, but we are most
passionate about raising the bar even higher in 2009."

Maintaining its stronghold as the most popular MMOG worldwide, RuneScape
has five million active players, with one million paying members. Following
the release of RuneScape HD in mid-2008, the vast majority of RuneScape
members have adopted the new version with enthusiasm and excitement. Even
after more than seven years since its original launch, RuneScape is still
evolving: this month Jagex is adding the 150th Quest to the game, and a
Brazilian localization of the game will be released in Q2.

In its ongoing effort to provide players with fresh content and innovate in
the online games space, Jagex is investing development in additional game
properties. Its FunOrb portal for a more time-pressured audience has grown
in only one year to more than one million unique user accounts, in addition
to the RuneScape players who can also access the portal through existing
accounts. As FunOrb continues to generate wide adoption among online
gamers, Jagex will focus on releasing blockbuster titles on the network in
2009. Additional titles of the same caliber as Arcanist, Zombie Dawn and
Kickabout Leagues will be launched throughout the year.

To explore Jagex's games, visit www.runescape.com, or www.funorb.com.

About Jagex, Ltd.

Jagex, Ltd. is an independent games developer and publisher based in
Cambridge, England, with over 350 employees. With proprietary graphics
compression, game engine and network communication technologies, Jagex
creates online games that are enjoyed by millions of players around the
world. Jagex is online at www.jagex.com.

Better not be a codename.

Doesn't seem to cover much more then we already know. Something which got my attention was



I found that a little hard to believe, Also



Ill half agree with that, As many of the people I have tried to discuss Mechscape with, don't know what it is.

Surely it couldn't be a codename, what with Jagex giving us all these things and such. You'd think they'd at least tell us that the actual game wasn't going to be called Mechscape, so we could prepare for something else.

Prior to this pretty much everything has pointed to MechScape being the true name (e.g. domain registrations, trademark registrations and the fact it already has the code name "NextScape"). If it wasn't called MechScape I'd of hoped they'd of given us the heads up on that. Just the fact that they called it a code name doesn't mean it won't be the launch name. Personally I really like the name MechScape.

Edit: Note how they are using their new Jagex logo.

Nice find, MechScape is a codename -.^

I am pretty sure the who wrote the article made an error, cause upto this point the thought that Mechscape was just a codename didn't even cross my mind. And even if was a codename it has gotten soo much attention and fame you might as weel keep the name.

Indeed. You'd think if it was a code name they'd of said that in the articles which state the name.

Yeah it isn't a code name, as Ren said all the evidence points to Mechscape being the true name.

Codename could be just a saying you know. No need to overanalyze it.

Nice to see they've announced it, not nice to see them saying MechScape is a code name.

If MechScape is a codename, then JaGeX has been registering names for nothing. I doubt MS won't be the name.

Thats intristing nice find.

Yeah, they announced it at GDC today.

http://news.bigdownload.com/2009/03/26/gdc...o-game-in-2009/

They definitely got the 'codename' bit wrong. I don't think they intended to put it across that way. It's just the fact that Jagex has only referred to it as a 'new MMO', not mentioning MechScape, so they were probably unsure.

Awesome find! :D

~ Stan

Like Daniel said, they probably didn't mean it that way. Nothing new to be honest. Let's wait for the next press release.

Nothing new? We get a confirmation that they still intend for it to be out this year.

Codename often refers to something secret.

And a top secret project.

So secret, they say Codename Mechscape, since most people didn't know what the name was.

It's just a saying :S

You still had doubts about that?

Omg im ready to play it so bad any one no when it will be released

Other than being released in Q2 (Quarter 2), no. The exact date remains a mystery for now.

Hi and welcome on MSW

There is no release date set now. The only thing we know is the game will be released in 2009, probably spring! But you'll be the first to know about a release because this forums will be talking about anything else then the release!

Kickabout Leagues....?


Sounds like a funorb they accidental announced there. Or have I totally missed something.

Nice to see it 'officially' announced, shame Jagex decided not to showcase any form of teaser (a la Modern Warfare 2) whilst at GDC though.

Anybody but me interested in that?
I know i am.

Cool, It's good to have some information about JaGeX once in a while! =D

Nice to see it is finally "announced."
But Jagex is still keeping the release date secret except that it is coming out this year. I want to know!

From the sound of things they don't have a fixed release date. It all depends on how long it takes for them to get rid of all the bugs and get it through QA.

Yeah, I remember a mod saying they don't do release dates anymore, they just release things when they're "awesome."
I would still like a bit more openness with development; like where they are now, how much more they have to go through, etc. Like a development diary. As it is, they have yet to mention "Mechscape" on the site.

Mod MMG mentioned MechScape in the answers to his Q&A questions on RSOF.

Oh yeah... Well... Besides that... :P I mean in the news.

wow

About the codename...

It wouldn't be the first time the Press got something wrong about Jagex. I remember seeing a news report about a hacked RS player, and the reporter said he had talked to Runescape not Jagex. So IMO, the bit about Mechsacpe being a codename is just a miscommunication. Jagex under Gerhard wouldn't give Mechsacpe World all this cool Mechsacpe stuff with out saying "Oh, and it's not called Mechscape, that's just a codename."

That's my 2gp at least.

I think Mechscape is just a code-name after seeing this > GDC09

It's a shame, I'd grown used to its name

I hope it's a code name. The name, MechScape, and the slogan "Get your mech on!" are both extremely stoopid.

They should be announcing it to us, not them :<

Hmm, has anyone else tried doing www.stellardawn.com?

It links to Funorb. Which makes it likely that Stellar Dawn is the name.

My brain melted.

Mah' boi!This name is what all true gamers fight for!Keep it as Mechscape because Stellar Dawn sounds...anime?

Yea the stellardawn thing has been tried. Either thats the name or just another Funorb game

It does sound anime, doesn't it?

Yes, it does, which would be fine for a small FunOrb game but I just can't see it being the name they would pick for MechScape.

Barracudascape.

I don't like their logo, seems quite.. Old.. I noticed it's all in capitals: JAGEX no JaGEx (J=ava G=aming Ex=perts I'm guessing :S)

Little like those card game animes what world is filled.

I liked Jagex's previous version of their logo as well. Now it looks a little "plasticy" and bland.

The capitals and lowercase looked messy, even though that was supposed to be how it looked :P

i actually like the name stellar dawn...stellar means star and dawn means rises so the word means -The stars rise- and i heard jagex say something about anime but i dont know

Well at least mechscape is appearing somewhere

I think they pretty much officially announced it back in E3 08. Even though they never stated what it will be called, but then we still don't know what it will be called.

Point taken. MechScape is the code name for the game at the moment. So it could be that name or they will be changing it. The only thing we know right now is that they were deciding what to do with the name. Who knows if they have picked it yet or even decided if they wanted a new name.