Just got this from Mark Gerhard (CEO of Jagex):


So that puts some things to rest:
1. It might be called MechScape, it might not be. They haven't decided yet.
2. Jagex weren't being deceptive when they openly called it MechScape as if that were the definite name, because at the time they thought that WAS the definite name (hence the trademarks and all that jazz).
3. They are still very much working on MechScape, so they are not just poised to release it at any moment.

I'd like to thank Jagex for trying to clarify this matter. Even if we still don't know what it will be called at least we know what thee situation is and why.

So it's not a definate yes or no, but that's fine. It means that they're taking time to work on it.

sigh sounds like its not gona be released for awhile....

Whatever they call it in the end, i hope it is for the best, and the to the greatest of their fans interests.

I myself would prefer them to stick with MechScape, it's a nice name and alot of things have been built around
that name including "MechScapeWorld.com"

But, i will say that when they do decide on the name, i hope there are no problems that will hit anything hard.

Good Luck Jagex.

Well it's good that they were responsive to the community by clarifying the situation. That explanation makes perfect sense to me.

Thanks for clarifying that although I personally believe MechScape would be a well-suited name to the genre you are aiming at.

Hmmm, I wonder what the other possibilities are ...

I hope they keep it to a changed name. Coming from an older and long player of Runescape, about like 3-4years. I've watched and read the name Runescape on the login screen so many times. I don't want to read Mechscape on the screen when it comes out.

But at the same time, I wouldn't MIND it were called Mechscape consdiering other companies don't have a problem with it. Hence StarCRAFT and WarCRAFT.

Thank you soo much Jagex for putting our mind at ease.
ad least we know where we stand on the name change situation

I hope that, if they ever change the name, they contact ren before announcing it

So we don't know when its coming out and now we don't know what the name is going to be

Just as I get used to the name, this comes out. Oh well, I'm sure it will be a massive hit regardless of the title.

I'm not surprised they haven't finalized the name. The name is extremely important, so naturally Jagex should take time to think of a name. I do quite like the name "mechscape" though so I hope they do not change it.

Well i like MechScape too but as he said, ppl would think it was runescape in space.

Either way i like both.

Sounds like the game still has a few months before released :(

I suppose that sounds reasonable.

Imo, the fact that some people think MechScape is RuneScape in space is a silly minor issue that's not worth worrying about.

So I suppose the Stellar Dawn trademark isn't related to MechScape after all?

im goin to say June is when it will come out

My guess is that it will be released august - september.

Thanks for the clarification. Could have been a little sooner, but anyway.

I understand where they are coming from; it's a bit of a sticky situation.

The problems with the MechScape name are:
- When people see 'scape', they think of RuneScape. a) Making it sound like RuneScape in space, and b) Carrying over the reputation from e.g. WoW players who mock RuneScape.
- 'Mech' ties them down with the idea of robots and mechanoids.

The advantages of keeping MechScape are:
- Everybody already knows the MechScape name.
- There are multiple communities already established around the MechScape name.
- Having the term 'scape' as a franchise can be a powerful marketing tool.

We'll just have to see. I'm sure they will tell us in advance if they ever concretely decide the new name.

Personally, if they have to change the MechScape name (I hope not), I still like 'Stellar Dawn'. But perhaps that is indeed just a FunOrb game...

*shrugs*

the name isnt massive to me, the only problem i see is the forum being named something different to the game.

I do hope they use MS. Stellar Dawn just sounds... not right. I Dunno how to put it

Thanks to Jagex and you Ren for posting this ;-D

It does put my mind at ease, but from the way he said it I doubt MechScape will be the name of the MMORPG.
I personally would prefer another name (been playing RuneScape since 2001 and I don't want to be reminded of it everyday).

Well, to be honest, as someone that's played Runescape for over 4 years, i've recently semi-retired from the game because of its repetetiveness and Boring features and lack of features and constant grinding and such, to be honest i used to mine until they added in that (in my opinon) very gay and drunk-man retarded looking barbarian mining update a couple years back that makes you swivvle and such while you try to mine a rock like a drunk man. That was one of the early turn offs for me, way before the GE even came out.

Anyway the point is, I truly, truly hope and pray (not really pray, but, more hoping), that Jagex does NOT put anything "Scape" in the game's name. If they do, then for many people that have gotten bored, tired, annoyed, angered and displeased with runescape, and the people that play WoW and have bothered to "Test out Runescape for a few minutes or an hour", they will automatically see way to many similarities between Runescape and Mechscape/Starscape/stellar dawn, or any jagex mmorpg game name with the word Scape in it. There are alot of players though, current runescape players (not everyone) that might not mind a game name with Scape in it for whatever reason. But there are many many players that only still play runescape because their either bored or got nothing better to do, which means they are also tired or displeased with runescape.

Jagex, i really believe, needs to start fresh, with a new name. It Doesn't matter how hard they try to get it out there to people that Mechscape or whatever name, that it is Not Runescape In Space, It Isn't Like Runescape At All!!! The only way for them to get those points/statements across is to have a name without Scape in it, and since its more scifi then Mecha apparently, it needs to maybe emphasize the Scifi rather then the Mecha.

*Edit* Furthermore with naming the game as they said/hinted at, They do not want to name a game that limits their creativity and what they can do without destroying the "original premise" of the game.

Take a corporation for example, like, Sony. When Sony was incorporated back in the late 1940's, early 1950's, Akio Morita and Masaru Ibuka (the cofounders of Sony) started out with Tokyo Tsushin Kogyo K.K, which means Tokyo Telecommunications Engineering Corporation, under this they developed a tape recorder. Later in the 50's they were developing Transistors for Communications purposes, anyway they chose the name Sony because it is derived from Latin Sonus (Sound) and Sonny (an American name at the time), the company was involved with Bell Labs and some other American companies, and they wanted to be heavily involved in the united states, plus a name Americans and other english speakers could easily pronounce. Lastly, they two had frequent debates over to name Sony either Sony Electronic Industries or Sony Teletech. Akio Morita however did not want Sony to be tied to any particular industry, for practical and long-term reasons, namely the fact that if it was named Sony Electronics, then they typically could would only create Electronic equipment and products, if it was Sony Teletech, then they would only make Telecommunications products. But as Sony, their options were and are unlimited, now as Sony Group, with their various subsidaries, they make Video Games, Sound systems, communication systems, Video systems, Information Technology, Entertainment, Financial services among other things.

The point is, Jagex does not want to make the potential mistake they made with Runescape when it comes to naming. Runescape by its very name inferres Medieval Fantasy. Mechscape Inferres not necessarily Scifi but, just Robots and big machines walking around doing things and such. Both Runescape and Mechscape massively limit their options and room for expansion and ideas. But if they chose a neutral, scifi-sounding name for the new game without Mech, they will have unlimited room for expansion which means they can make the game as big as they want, put in as many goodies as they want, among other things. Their old tagline for runescape was, "Your only limited by your Imagination". This obviously is a no longer true tagline, but if they name their new game properly, then they themselves will only be limited by their imagination for expanding the game and such, lets say, they pick the name StarScape, this name should bring up images of Space, the Stars, ET, other planets, space ships/starships, space stations, energy weapons blazing all around and all that good scifi stuff. It doesn't limit their creativity that Mechscape would.

Ooo

Mechscape World?

or r u changing the name ren?

My gawd... Cmon Jagex! :/ Idc what name tbh. :/ Anyway, thanks for anwswering.

~ Stan

With MechScape, Jagex wants to target an older audience. Those older people might think RuneScape is for kids and decide not to try MechScape because it sounds like RuneScape. Also the people that have grown fond of the name is mostly limited to people that are on these forums.

One thing i wish is for Jagex to honor its promise of more openness, lol. They say it and then keep things about Mechscape or whatever it is called so close to their chests, and i understand they don't want people to be disappointed but come on release atleast some screen shots or something. And yes it goes for the name to, they could have thrown a email Ren's way sooner then they did. I don't know just ranting i guess

They're rethinking the name, which I feel is a good idea. Of course, the content is much more important than the name, but having a good name will attract more players. I'm hoping that they will not go with MechScape and that they will come up with something more origional like FunOrb was, but either way is fine with me. They wouldn't do that because they want it to be a surpise to everyone when it is released.

I suppose we should be thankful for at least being told the situation, even if it isn't exactly what we wanted to hear. Still, thanks to Jagex/Gerhard for filling us in.



Agreed. In fact, regardless of the annoyance/hassle it would cause us, I'd probably prefer it being called Stellar Dawn. :S

Regarding a change in name

Over the past year and a bit, there has been a tremendous amount of hyp and expectation surrounding MechScape. Already dozens of fansites have been founded, most notably MechScape World, and this just illustrates how excited everyone is about MechScape. How often is it that a MMO gets this much press, still a year before it's due for release?!

MechScape has become a huge talking point within the RuneScape community and has become permanently ingrained within people's mind. Not everyone is fully aware of what it is, and know the details of it, but that doesn't matter. You say "MechScape" to anyone on the RuneScape forums and 8 in 10 of them will know what you're talking about.

It's too late to change the name now. Whether it's released or not, MechScape is now a major part of Jagex's image. Changing the name now will alienate and confuse, especially those who do not follow developments closely, but enough to know what MechScape is.

Jagex simply cannot, and must not throw away two years of hyp around MechScape. Doing so would be a catastrophic mistake, and I feel, totally unnecessary. "MechScape" may not be the best name in the world, but it's too late to change it now. If the name were to change, I for one will never forget MechScape, and I'm sure this is the same for many other people here as well.

And actually, no, MechScape may not be the greatest name ever, but honestly, I quite like it. I liked it the first time I heard it. Immediately you know what it's about- it's not one of those obscure names that you here and haven't a clue what it means. "MechScape" is a good name, and there is no reason to change it. As far as I'm concerned, a name change at this stage, potentially just months away from release, would be totally unjustified, and as I said before, a huge mistake.

Regarding "MechScape" as a name

As many people have already picked up on, "MechScape" by its nature links itself to RuneScape. And this is a good thing. People are arguing that those who do not play RuneScape will be put of by another "-Scape" game, but I don't think this is the case.

For me, the "-Scape" suffix gives Jagex the best of both worlds. Those of us who play RuneScape (and/or FunOrb) immediately link MechScape to it, which because they play RuneScape, must mean they enjoy it, giving MechScape that little "push off the line". On the other hand, those who don't play RuneScape because they don't like it for whatever reason, may initially associate MechScape with RuneScape, but not enough to prevent them from even trying it.

I don't like WoW, but that won't stop me playing Billzard's new game (which is currently under development). People simply are not going to pass off the opportunity to play MechScape, purely based on an association with RuneScape.

Additioanlly, the "-Scape" suffix, whilst I don't want to give Jagex a marketing lecture, I'm sure bodes well from a marketting point of view. Anyone who has anything to do with MMOs knows that RuneScape is made by Jagex, and they will immediately link MechScape to Jagex as well.

Psioptics i was in no way trying to be ungrateful with my rant, but Jagex are the ones who promised a new ERA of openness and then not to give a heads up to Ren after they make contact and say they will work with fan sites is just to me the same old Jagex. And I understand it was a last minute thing but a press release was sent out so some planning did go in to this.

I like mechscape as well, but I don't think attracting players from the RuneScape community is gonna be an issue. I think many of the older runescape players are ready to move on to a new game. It's not like they aren't going to be able to find the game if it isn't named mechscape. My issue with re-naming the game was the fact that they didn't tell MSW staff. It seemed to me that if they were trying to maintain a relationship with our fansite, then they should be at least willing to let us know when they change major stuff like the name of the game, which inherently affects us as well.

I do appreciate the release though jagex. Thanks for the update and let us know what happens. =)

I'm glad they finally clarified this, it's interesting that they still don't even know the name.

This sounds like it won't be out for 6 Months+, at least to me.

I hope your wrong, lol. But it does seem that way to me, too... and I thought my year and a half of waiting would have ended this month.

Wow, they could bring there Fans into this as put a Pole on RuneScape Frontpage to agree with a good name to go with the game, as such put all there ideas into a Poll and let the Fans/Players agree on it.

I give "Mechscape" another 3-4 Months untill realse.

I wasn't directing my previous post at you, I was merely expressing my opinion that it's better to know and not be happy than to not know at all. With that said, I do agree with you in that a bit of an earlier heads up to Ren would have been nice.

As for the continued use of 'It'll be released when it's ready', I agree that it looks like the release date is slipping ever further away. A month or two back I was almost certain we'd see the game this side of summer but now I'm not so sure.

Oh I know it was not aimed at me i just used u as a way to jump into other thoughts i had. Also I did want to say I was not ungrateful so u gave me the opening lol. On the release thing for me, I'm guessing May, June. So with I could say April

Well this is good to know, puts me a little more at ease. I have the tendency to fly off the handle sometimes. It's comforting to know we haven't been duped all this time.

I certainly do hope the name is MechScape. I've grown attached to it, and like Daniel says, it is a powerful marketing tool to continue with the "-scape" brand.

Jagex KNOWS, we KNOW, whatever they name it, it's still going to be a success.

I agree with everything MrRSMan says here.

what will this site be called if mechscape isnt the name?

game name + world

I made an earlyer post that they probably decided to change it from mechscape to something
eles because it would soud like "runescape in space" so i WIN (i'm a phycic)

I think Jagex were certain they wanted a name change, but the negative public response made them want to reconsider.

Well I was almost spot on then, this is a recent change of mind as they were unsure about tying their new game to the -scape part of Runescape. (Note FunOrb has nothing to do with it namewise but has some games based on RS)

The kick in the statement made by MMG is that they are now reconsidering their reluctance to use Mechscape, following the outcry about changing the name, this is something they should have thought about before, once the game starts being hyped under a title, it makes little sense to change the title and risk losing people who aren't aware of the change. There is a following for MechScape already, so why change what isn't broken?


The other issue is the statement suggests there is a fair bit of Dev work left before the game is launched. This is odd as they previously stated that at the time of launch there would be an entire year worth of content waiting in the wings at launch. If they are still developing the part they wish to launch initially, then i would suggest the backlog of content updates is questionable to say the least.

A big Hmmmmnnnnn from me then, even if they decided on the final name tomorrow there would be a fair bit of work done to incorporate that in all of the items surrounding the game, and it sounds as if deciding on a name is the lowest of the priorities at this point.

Still much time till the release that's for sure...

They could have lots of additional content ready but still have lots of bugs to fix, balancing to do and things to improve in the main core game.

Yea all gaming people are worried that if their game is to buggy it will go down the sink hole, which makes sense but no game ever will be 100 percent bug free, so i hope they don't go all OCD on it

To be honest, there is such a thing as Setting your goals so high that you wont achieve some, most or all of them. It seems to me that, Jagex has done just this, i understand their great ambition to make in their eyes the greatest, most unique and different mmo ever made by a gaming company, but in that process, they keep on adding more stuff, and stuff after that stuff, and EVEN More Things and stuff after that, and more and more and more and MORE. I'm not complaining that its taken so long to finish the game and release it, but i am saying the truth, They should just release the extra content gradually, give us what they have thats been bug-holocausted already (The bugs have been removed), and then they can gradually add in the stuff that their working on when those parts are finished with, otherwise people will surely become fed up, they already are, and might not even play the game out of spite (an extreme exageration of a statement but oh well). By their own admission their extremely ambitious and keep finding new things to add to it, and they won't release it until its "Awsome and Ready". I mean really? How Awsome is awsome? When is Ready, Ready? By Jagex's own admissions it is clear enough that For every new idea they get, they effectively hold off the release of Mechscape so they can work on the new idea which can and will take months to actually create, then take even more months to work out the bugs. I understand their ambitions and desires for Greatness, i have similar ambitions with my own life goals, everyone does, but they need to do a reality check. Don't overwork and overload yourself with too many goals, take them in stride, work on one thing at a time, Complete one goal (release the game with the completed and bug-free content already available) then work on your other goals (the excess content). Otherwise the game will surely never be "ready and awsome" Enough.

Dracul: I think you can partially blame the media for this. The fact is that most gaming sites and games magazines will not re-review an MMORPG after a reasonable time period to see if it is improved. When it is launched they will make one judgement then it will stand for all time. Therefore even if users are happy for it to gradually improve over time, for it to be a critical success (which leads to more people OUTSIDE of the existing Jagex sphere playing it) it needs to be as awesome as it can be from day one.

Another good point from a fearless leader, never thought of that Ren :)