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Foreword by Ren
Hello and welcome to Ren's April 2009 Research Summary, which aims to provide readers with a good overview of MechScape followed by the various source materials used to inform this view. If you are interested in MechScape then I encourage you to sign up to these forums and become a member of the MechScape World community.
This is the sequel to my 2008 Summary (which you now don't need to read unless you are interested in the futures of ThirdScape, RuneScape and FunOrb). Last time I tried to mix lots of quotes with the summary itself, and much of the source material was linked to but not included. For this summary I will be taking a different approach, with a summary that actually condenses the information followed by the source material. There is also much more source material, not only because a lot has happened since the previous summary, but also because I've taken a more comprehensive look at all of my past research. The main omission here is the gallery images, which I utilise but do not embed within the summary. I highly recommend you check out the gallery, especially the official concept art images kindly provided by Jagex.
I would like to thank all those who have supported me with the research I have been conducting into the game since I discovered it in September 2007. Whilst I strive for accuracy there may be some mistakes. As such, I would ask that people link to this article instead of quoting it, as this will allow me to correct errors and omissions as they are reported to me.
MechScape in a nutshell
MechScape is the working title of an upcoming sci-fi MMORPG from Jagex, the creators of RuneScape. Although is designed to appeal to all fans of science fiction it is specifically aimed at those in their 20's. It is based on the same technology as RuneScape, and so will be browser-based using Java, but will be using more advanced technology, and will be graphically superior as well as using a different control mechanism and MechScape will be more complex than RuneScape. The game features giant robots known as mechs, but there is much more to it than that. It is a non-linear planet-based game which focusses around four distinct races. The player can choose their alliances shaping their own adventure.
Jagex have made it clear that MechScape is not "RuneScape in space". Due to innovations in terms of player advancement it will be different to all other MMOs as players won't be levelling skills up by grinding. Jagex officially began development in 2006 and hope for the game to be released at some point in 2009. There are currently 70 members of staff dedicated to working on the project. Player-built vehicles and space ships should feature heavily in the game. The same subscription model as RuneScape will be in place meaning there will be both free-to-play and pay-to-play content. From launch Jagex expect for the game to be the same size as RuneScape, although it seems like it will be larger in scale and scope, and there is already a year's worth of content updates "waiting in the pipes".
MechScape's early history
The first known usage of the name 'MechScape' dates to December 2003 when the MechScape.com domain was registered. One of Jagex's stated ambitions for 2003 was to begin work on their second game, although they repeated this aim for both 2004 and 2005. John S claims to have worked on an "online space MMORPG" between April 2005 and October 2006. Jagex officially began working on MechScape in 2006, with Head of MechScape Henrique Olifiers joining the team in January 2006, and many job vacancies for MechScape content developers being published in June 2006 (asking for people interested in sci-fi, graphic novels and Anime).
According to a statement by Mark Gerhard, who joined Jagex in 2008 and became Chief Executive Officer in 2009, the game originally focused on robots known as mechs (hence the name "MechScape"). However, he claims that "during the game's early evolution we became a lot more ambitious, and substantially widened our vision beyond just robots to encompass the wider possibilities of the sci-fi genre". Jagex registered a UK trademark for MechScape in October 2005, around the same time as they received an investment from Insight Venture Partners.
One aspect of MechScape's early history led to the creation of RuneScape HD: "The first time we started talking about OpenGL was back in mid-2006. It was quite an unusual kickoff. Andrew Gower came over to the Mechscape team to chat about some of the game's features, and saw a printed picture of a creature roaming the corridors of a space base hanging on the wall. We created the image with proper in-game models, but using a real-time commercial OpenGL renderer just for kicks. The next thing we heard was "You know, there's no reason we couldn't do that with our engine if we create an OpenGL version of it... A few months later, after proper evaluation of the installed base, specs, a lot of brainstorming and engine roadmaps, our tools and engine teams were busy putting together the master plan for the HD version of the game".
MechScape's innovative nature
So, if they wanted the game to not be "RuneScape in space" as per their development motto, and they desired for it to be more than just giant robots, what should this "futuristic" game be? They investigated other sci-fi MMOs to identify why they were unsuccessful and "discovered that these games were nothing more than fantasy mechanics dressed in a sci-fi wrapper. Having a set of skills that you level up through grinding is basically a fantasy mechanic. So from here they identified what game mechanics make a good sci-fi game, and they have developed most of these as completely unique features that have never been seen in any MMO before". Jagex feel that the approach they have taken will make Real World Trading (RWT) a non-issue in MechScape, as they worked at a "core design level" to "remove the need for RWTing". They have told us that "there won't be any RWT in MechScape if we did our job right".
So from this they developed a game which was "a completely different game, from every possible perspective, not only from RuneScape but from other MMOGs out there". They are a bit vague on how it is different, but it seems to relate to player advancement: "Levelling in MMO's can be tedious and some games make levelling difficult in an attempt to cover for a lack of content. We are approaching game design in a totally new way, player progression will be unlike any other MMO currently on the market". One of the employees says that he has "been trying to find ways that we can take the genre forward in terms of storytelling and player grouping, while also developing cool missions and mini games".
Technology, target audience and RuneScape
MechScape will be targeting those who feel they have grown out of RuneScape as well as older players and general fans of science fiction. They claim that one aspect that will carry on from RuneScape is the opportunity for character customisation. Jagex are very adamant that the game will be nothing like RuneScape and claim it will offer more complicated and deeper gameplay than RuneScape, and that while it should appeal to all sci-fi fans it is aimed at an "an older, more advanced audience" of people in their twenties.
While it is based on the RuneScape engine the graphics and technology will apparently be better than RuneScape. There will be both a higher polygon count and higher minimum system requirements. "Players can expect to see an extremely different looking game to RuneScape". Unofficially, mentions have been made of "fire, smoke and explosions" as special effects that Jagex have been working on. One major difference will be the controls, with a mix of mouse and keyboard alluded to. MechScape will use the same subscription model as RuneScape, with some content provided for free but "deeper content" requiring a monthly fee. While there is no link with stats or items, Jagex accounts are shared between RuneScape, MechScape and FunOrb.
What MechScape is about
At the 2009 Games Developers Conference it was revealed that "The game centres around the tension among four distinct species, each with their own look, abilities and back stories. Throughout the game, players can choose their alliances, which shape the path of their adventure. There are hints of cloning, player-built vehicles and even spaceship building eventually". The official concept art features what appears to be a human pilot, meaning humanoids are likely to feature. It has been described as "planet-based" and "non-linear". An early vacancy mentioned that employees would work "to build creatures, shape virtual worlds, design quests and storylines" implying that they intended for there to be multiple worlds in the game. It seems that the game will be the same size as RuneScape at launch but will be larger in scale and scope with a year's worth of future content in the pipeline.
In addition to giant robots it has been confirmed that the Pliigi (Esperanto for 'increase', with pliiĝi also meaning 'augment' and 'grow') will feature as a playable race, and there are various pieces of concept art which mention the Pliigi whose habitat seems to be a swamp-like terrain. One piece of concept art mentions the rock-like Mortiga (Esperanto for 'deadly') but this race has not been confirmed. Other terrains mentioned include "denaco crater" which features a mining vehicle, and a planet that has a mixture of grassy, sandy and rocky terrains with roads, bridges and flying ships as well as an industrial-style complex. There are many references to vehicles made by staff, and the concept art includes a "Lava Harvester" as well as other vehicles. Sources of inspiration for the game include games, movies and fiction.
Where we stand
Jagex has a dedicated team of 70 employees exclusively working on MechScape, which is currently playable but not complete. They expect it will be out this year, but there is currently lots more work to be done. While previously they provided estimates for the release that proved to be wrong they are now merely saying it will be released when it has reached maturity. According to Jagex CEO Mark Gerhard, "We can't give you a release date at the moment because large complex game development projects such as this one are extremely hard to estimate. The last thing we want after spending so much time and energy on this project is a rushed release, which is why we won't launch it until we are confident that it is ready". Head of MechScape Henrique Olifiers has asked players to "forget about any dates you might have heard for its launch, we're not bound to them but to quality and excellence".
It seems two things in the works that will affect MechScape are the introduction of a display name facility across Jagex's products and the addition of DirectX support for better compatibility. Another issue is the name of the title, which was "definitely going to be MechScape" until fairly recently when they began to reconsider the name, with one possible title suspected by fans being Stellar Dawn. Jagex have said that they might stick with the MechScape name, but they could change it because the game no longer revolves so much around "mechs" and the "scape" part of the name might lead people to mistakenly believe the game is merely "RuneScape in space".
Jagex intend to run a beta for MechScape, but is unclear as to who exactly will be eligible. Jagex has said that "we have a number of valued subscribers who have been loyal to Jagex and it is only right that we thank them. Current subscribers will be given access to the Beta and it will be free to play". Players are advised to be very wary of any website claiming to be related to a MechScape beta, as they may very well be a scam to steal your Jagex account details. There are various such phishing scams in existence so always think twice when you visit an unfamiliar website.
Jagex has tried to make it clear that MechScape will not be 'replacing' RuneScape. According to Jagex CEO Mark Gerhard, "RuneScape will live forever! We have dedicated teams behind each game and the launch of Mechscape or any other title for the matter will never undermine the continued investment in RuneScape". In fact, they say that "If anything, RuneScape has and will continue to benefit from the development of the new title: some of the novel features recently implemented in RS are a result of technology improvements triggered by the development of the new game" and that "while each development team has their own core developers, the technical side of things are run by the same folks, allowing them to learn and grow together. In fact, RuneScape's newest HD launch was made possible by the advancements in MechScape".
There is much I could say about Jagex's relationship with MechScape World, and how they have shown a real willingness to open up and work with fan sites, but that's for another time and another article. Instead, I'll close with some words from the Head of MechScape: "I think my proudest moment is still to come, is where I've released my first big game here in Europe, and there's so much momentum being built around this project I've been working the past two and a half years, I think seeing that game coming together, and the stage it is right now, being playable and people enjoying it, but it's about to be released and open to the world. I'm starting to feel that this is my proudest moment."
Ren's MechScape Fact Sheet
Ren's MechScape fact sheet (based on Jagex's public statements, etc):
1. MechScape is an upcoming sci-fi MMORPG from Jagex.
2. Due to innovations in terms of player advancement it will be different to all other MMOs as players won't be levelling skills up by grinding.
3. It will be browser-based and use the same engine as RuneScape, but their development motto is that it is not RuneScape in space.
4. It will use superior technology and have better graphics than RuneScape with a higher polygon count. Expect it to have a very different look to RuneScape and have a higher minimum system requirements.
5. MechScape was the original name of the game, but is currently its "code name" as they might call it something else but they aren't sure.
6. Its history can be traced back at least as far back as 2003, but they didn't officially start working on it until 2006.
7. It is playable but not complete. There is still a lot of work to do on it, but they expect it to be out in 2009.
8. They claim it won't be released until it has reached maturity, or until it is "awesome".
9. It is a non-linear planet-based game which focusses around four distinct races, one of which is the Pliigi. Humans and Mortiga are also mentioned in concept art, but are not confirmed.
10. You will use the same account as on RuneScape or FunOrb. That doesn't mean you will share stats. They do however have plans for display name system in a couple of months.
11. The target audience is people in their 20's, but they expect it will appeal to sci-fi fans of all ages.
12. There are currently 70 members of staff working exclusively on the project.
13. It will use the same revenue model as RuneScape, so there will be some free-to-play content and for more you have to go pay-to-play.
14. On launch it should be the same size as Gielinor, although it seems like it will be larger in scale and scope than RuneScape.
15. While RuneScapeHD uses OpenGL, they are working on support for both OpenGL and DirectX for MechScape for increased compatibility.
16. It will not mean the end of RuneScape. They will continue to develop and invest in RuneScape.
17. They already have a year's worth of content updates waiting in the pipes.
18. They claim it will offer more complicated and deeper gameplay than RuneScape.
19. There will be giant robots, cloning, player-built vehicles and space ships.
20. It will have a different control scheme to RuneScape, using the "best of both worlds" of keyboard and mouse.
21. "Players can expect to see an extremely different looking game to RuneScape".
22. You may have seen Tom W's yellow troopers with big guns which some claim to be from MechScape. While he used to work for Jagex that wasn't MechScape concept art.
23. We can thank MechScape for various improvement to RuneScape, such as RuneScapeHD.
24. There is going to be a MechScape beta for loyal RuneScape subscribers, but who exactly will be eligible we don't know. Mod MMG thinks that it mind be people who have been continuous subscribers for a few months at the time of the launch of the beta, but they haven't hammered it out yet. Beware of any MechScape beta scam sites!
25. You are allowed to discuss MechScape World on the RuneScape Official Forums as per a statement made by Mod Emilee.
Written by Ren. Proof readers: Xela and Simba. Do not copy without permission.
Releasing new languages took alot longer than expected too, it seems.
