MechScape and its future competition
Written by Xelb


Hello members. For those that do not know me, I am a fairly active member of these forums, and this is my first time writing an editorial for a website such as MechScape World. With that being said, this article will be about MechScape and the future competition that it faces. The competition that MechScape will face will come in all directions. It will compete with non sci-fi games, other sci-fi games, and even with the rest of the video game market. But how will MechScape fare in all of this? Competition is the main theme that I plan to discuss in this article, and hopefully afterwards we can fully understand how important competition will be to MechScape.

Competition is bound to be an issue once we see the release of MechScape, and it will certainly affect the way we play the game. After all, without competition, there really is no need to try making a game to its full potential. With MechScape being part of the sci-fi genre however, it is questionable as to how well it will perform in the market, and against other video games and MMORPG's out there, particularly non sci-fi MMORPG's. It is safe to say that 2009 can be dubbed "The Year of MMORPG". Along with MechScape, we will be seeing releases of several new MMORPG's such as "Dragonball Online", "DC Universe online", "Lego Universe", "Earth Eternal", and many more. (Source) It is more than safe to say that MechScape will, no doubt, have a lot of competition on its hands.

So why is this important? In the past, we have seen many MMORPG's come and go, and it is a little known fact that the sci-fi genre hasn't always done so well against its many fantasy counterparts, a stigma that has dissuaded many companies from creating sci-fi MMOs. With MechScape though, we have seen that this little fact hasn't bothered Jagex at all, even considering the fact that Jagex also owns another very large MMORPG, "RuneScape". And so, not even the competition from the fantasy genre will stop them from trying to create one of the best sci-fi MMORPG's ever. Competition drives motivation, and motivation has always been the key to creating a great game. And so in a way, competition is a necessary part of developing a game because without it, we won't be able to see MechScape reach its full potential. This is why competition from other genres is so crucial to the development and lifecycle of MechScape.

It should also be noted that the technology being used for MechScape has not been used in any other successful sci-fi MMO. Being developed solely on Java, the dedicated team of developers have been focused on pushing the capabilities of Java to its limit. They are even going as far as to create particle effects and specular lighting, which is usually only used in console/full on PC MMO's (Because otherwise, the system requirements would be extremely high). (Source) Not only that, it is browser based, meaning that when you open the MechScape game page, the client is on your screen loading right there. This use of technology, after all, is what has driven many players to play RuneScape. This will certainly affect the competition for this game in terms of accessibility, and it will be good, as a lot of MMORPG's don't always have "easy" accessibility when it comes to actually playing the game. The technology being used to create a game is one of those factors that will contribute to MechScape's success, if it has any when it's released.

Another interesting thing to look at is MechScape's competition with other sci-fi games. There are games out there such as "Anarchy Online", "Star Wars Galaxies", and even "EVE Online". These games are fairly successful sci-fi games, and have seen much success over the years since their release. How will these affect MechScape, though? One thing you can automatically make a point about is how they are accessed. Each of the games that I had listed all require a download to play. With MechScape, it is already known that you will only need an account to play, because actually playing the game merely requires opening up a page and downloading the client through your browser, but no other installations are required. Another thing to look at is game play. With Anarchy Online and Star Wars Galaxies, it basically has the same premise when it comes to playing the game. EVE online is the only game that is moderately different, but one criticism it has is that it has an extreme learning curve.

With MechScape, we are told that the game play will be different from that of any other game we have seen, along with a fairly moderate learning curve, and it is believable. (Source) Through the concept art, we know that MechScape will have a more "Earthly" feel to it, as the game itself won't be completely in space. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if MechScape turns out to have very little to do with space combat. But with the game play being completely different to that of other sci-fi MMORPG's, the competition that MechScape will face may be tough, due to the fact that not everybody will be used to the game play MechScape has to offer. However, with an expected large user base, the game play MechScape will offer may become standard for other sci-fi MMORPG's in the future, and will allow for a greater variety of competition, and a sense of respect for the sci-fi genre.

As for the rest of the market (which concerns console video games, PC games, portable games, etc.), we already know that the Science Fiction genre hasn't been always successful, and to compete with the rest of the video game market will be a tough endeavor. However, what we know about MechScape through concept art and such, shows that the game itself may have a bright future in store. The game itself may even be able to compete with the rest of the market with relative ease due to its ease of accessibility, technology, and the fact that it is free. This market tactic used with RuneScape has proved to be a successful one, and no doubt, it will be successful with MechScape in the future. In all, I myself am not worried with the competition MechScape may face, but I do want to hear your opinions about it.

In all, let me leave you with this. How important do YOU think competition will be for MechScape? Do you think it'll be important enough to contribute to its growth, or is it something we really shouldn't keep ourselves too concerned about?

MechScape and Community News

MechScape Subscription
Good news for those who intend to subscribe to FunOrb and/or RuneScape in addition to MechScape, as Jagex's Mod Crow said of MechScape that "there is a good chance that discount options will be available for multiple game subscriptions". (Read more)

Steel Sentinels apparently not based on MechScape
According to Mod Ken the sci-fi FunOrb game Steel Sentinels is the brainchild of Mod Thomas and was not based on MechScape. (Read more)

Jagex and Consoles
In a Develop interview Jagex speak of their console plans and comment that MechScape is "so close it hurts". (Read more)


Previous Issues:
MechScape Post #23: Jagex's use of Social Networking Sites
MechScape Post #22: Basics of the Four Playable Species
MechScape Post #21: The Mecherican Dream
MechScape Post #20: Desert City Art Review and New Beginnings Review
MechScape Post #19: Cultural Differences: How they might affect MechScape
MechScape Post #18: The Economy of an MMORPG
MechScape Post #17: Influences on MechScape
MechScape Post #16: MechScape Moderation
MechScape Post #15: The MechScape Environment II
MechScape Post #14: The Community of MechScape
MechScape Post #13: Codename MechScape


Footnotes
Contributors: Brenden, Ed5, Ren (Content Research Team); mike470, Pipinowns, Pliigi, Simba, Xela, Xelb (Writing & Editing Team).
Disclaimer: The views expressed by members of staff do not necessarily represent the view of MechScape World.

Good read.


Seeing as Jagex has said MechScape is going to be completely different I doubt it will have to much competition on the market.

I'd say there are several primary factors which influence people's decision to try out MechScape:
1. Reputation and brand - Do they like the Jagex brand? Have they heard good/bad things about the game? Have they heard about it at all? Do they like the name and logo?
2. Genre - Are they into sci-fi games? Do they prefer medieval games?
3. Gameplay - Does the idea of a unique 4X-inspired MMORPG appeal to them?
4. Price - Are they tempted by the free to play version? Can they afford the price of subscription and would they pay it?
5. System requirements - Will it run well on their machine?
6. Browser-based nature - Do they love the portability of browser-based? Will they automatically assume it is inferior if it runs in a browswer?
7. Friends / community - Do their friends play the game? Do they play any of the other Jagex games?
8. Competition - How does it compare to other games in their eyes? Do they not want to play since they have already invested a lot of time in another game? Are they bored of the traditional games and want something different?
9. Appearance - Does the visual look of the game appeal to them? Does the website draw them in?

MechScape will occupy a niche. It will be a browser-based 4X-based sci-fi MMORPG. This will mean that it would have no direct competition, only substitutes in the form of dissimilar games which people may opt for instead. If you go through the interviews there are lots of relevant quotes from Jagex employees regarding how the Sci-Fi MMO genre is a real tough one. For example Henrique said "It's not a secret that sci-fi MMOGs are not the most successful if compared with fantasy settings, despite the genre being extremely popular for single-player games, TV, films and comics. There's surely a reason for this, and we believe we know what it is" (source). Gerhard said its greatest strength and weakness is this new approach (which one assumes to be that it is based on single-player 4X mechanics) "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." (source)


Considering the power of OpenGL and the fact that they are developing DirectX support I'm not sure why MechScape would not classify as a "full on PC MMO". It isn't a boxed game but I don't see why its accessibility should count against it being a "full on PC MMO".

I think that's pretty awesome sounding. I'd be awesome if Mechscape created a mechanic that seems empty without it in other sci-fi.

I think there won't be much competition when its released, maybe later on but I'm not really playing any other sci-fi games right now or looking forward to any other then Mechscape. I keep reading people say that they need to release it at a certain time because another game will be coming out and it might effect the release, but i really don't think we should be worried about that because eventually people will find it and hear about it. Its not like console games, were they need to make so much money or sale so many games. I think there more anxious about what everyone thinks about the game, rather then sales.

so, mechscape will just be the same in mechanic wise, like technology? since mechscape is the mmorpg of the future, later games will be the same?

Great article. It will definitely be interesting to see how MechScape fares against other MMOs.

I agree with Pliigi, definatly an interesting read.
Yes, I agree that Mechscape will have competition, but will it go under from competition? I assume, and hope not.

Needless to say, but MechScape will probably the only of these new releases that I will be participating in. Deep roots with Runescape run in my veins, and it can really only get better with Mechscape, being geared towards adults (with more money) it will be better than runescape and the membership fees probaly higher than the $5 or so that they are currently charging for Runescape.

This is my first post btw.

cant wait

I really hope you are wrong about the price for mechscape because i pay around 80 dollars a year now for runescape and thats pretty expensive (although there are many other games that cost like 10 to 20 dollars a month).

Ah but alas a good read!

I agree, ikindadown, that due to the advances in technology Jagex are using to create Mechscape, it is probably going to be more expensive. But, if the free to play version draws in people, who is saying that they won't pay a higher amount of cash to play the membership, which would be better in many ways than the free to play one? Anyway, due to Mechscape being "nothing like any other MMO", I believe that competition would only affect Mechscape slightly, and the only way it will be affected is by people with less graphics not being able to play it.

I also really hope that MechScape isn't priced any higher than RuneScape. As it stands you pay more per year of RuneScape membership than you do for XBOX Live. RuneScape is just ONE game. XBOX Live gives you access to loads. Perhaps if they were both the same price but when you subscribed to both you got 10-25% discount then that would encourage multiple memberships.

I will be subscribing to both under the same account which will hopefully save me a bundle.

And yes I know that discounts have been verified so no need to state the obvious.

Great article Xelb. I personally think at present there is really no competition apart from EVE in the Sci-fi market. As for some of the games being released around the same time as MS, non appeal to me, but that might just be my tastes! I mean, Dragonball online? Wait 24 hours as you charge up a spirit bomb that doesn't defeat the bad guy, just makes him some how stronger.

I think, with the huge advantage of starting out with a significant player base from RuneScape, MechScape will fair quite well. I also think it will likely have even less competition than RuneScape, which is just one among literally hundreds of similar titles. Coupled with RuneScape's shortcomings, this creates a fairly steady outflow of players.

The sci-fi genre is much less heavily populated, not to mention that we all expect MS to be better than RS. I think it will see a large influx of embittered higher-leveled RuneScape players at first, and take off from there. I anticipate a complete success

"Earthly"?


*cries self to sleep*

From the titles, I would think that most of those games will have a younger audience, especially "Lego Universe". Also, I have a feeling that Jagex's experience in the field of MMO's will give it an edge over games that are based on cartoons, comics, etc. Jagex is not bound to a set of characters or principles that players will already be familiar with; they can pretty much go in whatever direction they want with Mechscape.



And Ren, what do you mean by 4x? I'm not familiar with the term.

Mod MMG said "We looked at seminal games like Master of Orion and Ascendancy, and look at worked in those games, and make MMO mechanics inspired by those mechanics". The term eXploration, eXpansion, eXploitation and eXtermination (4X) was coined as part of Master of Orion's advertising campaign and the 4X genre includes that game, Ascendancy and many others including Sid Meier's Civilization.

According to MobyGames:

That's not to say that MechScape would have to meet the above definition of a 4X game, just that it is seeded by those kind of principles and more speficially by the mechanics of the seminal 4X games mentioned by Mod MMG.

A most enjoyable editorial. Great work! I think the main concern we have here is having MechScape compete with RuneScape in terms of the F2P and P2P features of both games. But i'm sure Jagex have already thought of this, and have another great way to counter it (perhaps a skill release after the release of MechScape to drag people back to play RuneScape?).

A terrific read. I don't think Mechscape will have that much competition because Mechscape will be very unique from what i've read and other game producers will have to come up with a new idea for a new game in order to compete with Mechscape. I trust that Mechscape will be very successful.

Great read!

I doubt MechScape will struggle against the competition, I trust Jagex know what they are doing. ;)

I think that Eve will offer some stiff competition with it's newest addition for consoles:

Dust 514 *1

Also, Mechquest*2 holds many of the Mech-rpger's out there.



1: http://www.massively.com/2009/08/18/ccp-ga...e-mmo-dust-514/
2: http://www.mechquest.com/

Mechscape would have a lot of competition considering it's a new type of sci-fi, as Jagex stated they tried to get what was succesful in other sci-fi games, and put them in Mechscape. Yet, that could either make them or break them. I think that starting off a lot of people will definetly play, most of them being runescape players. Hopefully, for Jagex, they are better than the competition, and they spread more news about this new sci-fi MMORPG with their social networking sites, and other places, more than just how they have been advertising runescape.

Mechscape wont have as much competition to start out with, Jagex is already in one of the most competitive markets, fantasy rpg's (mmos too) and so i think they will be able to handle the small amount of competition well. I expect many mechscape copies to come in the near future.

I think another factor that will affect the success of Mechscape will be how JaGex chooses to advertise. I don't think by doing the "friendly fun game where you can make friends and explore a world and it's quests" model will draw in people, especially if the target audience is the 21+ audience, even if it did work for RuneScape. Advertising the game to the older audience I would imagine JaGex would have to adopt Blizzard's model of "Hardcore, in-depth, innovative gaming where your skill determines your gaming success and earns you prestige." I think that running a game of that sort would be a huge change to JaGex and it would be very difficult for mod's who are more used to dealing with a younger audience to keep an older one interested and involved. Other turn off's to MechScape could be the censor especially if JaGex tries to keep as strict a one as in RuneScape and FunOrb. Ventrillo which is a very popular program with World of Warcraft players I think is looked down upon by JaGex and I wouldn't want to try advertising one for fear of being banned. Communication therefore I think will be key especially as older audiences don't like being moderated as much and being subjected to the constant scrutiny of "Big Brother".

That's just my thoughts. :)

I don't know, they originally said to see it Q1 of this year.. I haven't seen it, so I pretty much don't care whether or not MechScape comes out right now or not.
Sorry Guys. :\

I complete agree with Xyls.

Look at the World of warcraft ads, this is a game with an older target audience.

As for the how moderators might deal with situations, I belive MS & RS should be get seperate. With different staff, obviously this is completely in-effective. But as Xyls said, A different mind set will be needed.

As for censors, They should be optional. So those that are easily offended can turn it on, and perhaps even add words to their list that they want blanked out.