So as some of you are wondering, so what? Jagex made the game so why aren't they allowed to try it out? Well the answer is that A: They *might* be nearing completion since they are letting staff that is directly involved in RuneScape test it out, which they really have no reason to unless they were working with the Mechscape team, which is totally different.

As I am not allowed to go in-depth on this subject of how I got to talk to a Jagex Mod, and that I am unable to provide screen-shots and other reliable information, as it would give away some confidential material, you all have to trust me on this one. All information I tell you is 100% correct, and I'm not making any of this up. =|

A few weeks ago, Mod Paul M (or S, can't exactly remember) was talking to me and a group of other player privately, and we asked him about Mechscape and how it was coming along. To our amazement, he said that just yesterday he had personally played Mechscape for the first time(he is NOT part of the Mechscape team), and when asked if it was as fun as Runescape, he said that the gameplay is much harder to grasp then RuneScape, and that many of the same goals and milestones are somewhat similar to the game as well. He also said that even he himself was unsure of when it was going to be released.

So, just thought I would share that small shard of information with you. =P

They are of course going to allow the Runescape team to play and test the game, because as they have said all along, they are all gamers at heart and they are building a game they like to play. As a result, their most useful "focus" group of sorts is sitting either in the same building or right next door. It is crucial to get varied opinions, especially on a new game. If you are using coders and developers to test the game for not only bugs and glitches, but also for the general "Fun factor" of it, you are going to get a biased point of view. If they made the game or are employed on a team devoted to the game, they will be inclined to see it more positively than the folks over in RuneScape.

I can't wait though, thanks for the info you did share.

Your welcome, and I totally agree on you, it always helps to get a different persons perspectiv on something you are working on.

Assuming this information is true because you are a supposed player moderator and have moderate contact with Jagex moderators, as long as it does'nt delay the release by one second I guess it's fine. If he's play testing it so they can have a good first impression that's fine... But if they're just giving free play to non-testers then I'd be outraged with all this soon/so close it hurts baiting and the supposed 2010 beta delay.
Jagex - need moar respect to potential players.

I can imagine the other teams (funorb, rs) are allowed to test on their lunch breaks and stuff, L. Like, "employee benefits", try out new and upcoming products.

In the recent eurogamer interview, it said that they had let runescape workers and people of the public to test mechscape, so I imagine that Mod Paul has indeed played MechScape. The part that confuses me is when he supposedly said that Mechscape has the same goals and milestones as runescape, which contrasts with the fact that Mechscape is going to have no exp or levels.

It would be understandable to let the RuneScapers and FunOrbing Jagex Mods help with the testing as a brand new game would require alot of feedback from other players.



I could guess that means the same milestones as in starting with a Rubbish item,moving to a slightly better item, moving to an even better item and finally obtaining a SkillC----Mech

Or it could be completely different and nothing to do with the "player's skills" it'self.

I want to test BETA!!!!!

I'm still thinking "so....?"
I see no point in this topic. We know all of this :s

It is quite obvious that Jagex staff are going to be allowed to test this game as they need to look for any areas that may be able to be upgraded.
I understand why you cannot give away confidential information. I want to try and speak to a mod and ask them some information as I'm not completely familiar with MechScape so far.

Thankyou.
Joee

This does not surprise me in anyway. They have said that it is playable. What did suprise me is when I asked a funorb J mod if he has played MechScape yet, he said no. ^.^

If all of this information is true, then what that means is that the game is in fact playable and being worked on to be polished. This is good news if anything.

He might also mean that it has the same development goals. But what you're saying seems to make more sense.

If this is true this might be the reason for the delay. They're probably dumbing it down for release...so...

In the end we'll probably end up with RuneScape in space...

Yes! Something that isn't going to insult your intelligence when you play it for several years. I like hearing that the complexity of the game up there as I tend to dive right into games that are complex and harder to understand. On the average side I play games that are more complex (coding and/or gameplay) then those which are simple like flash games for an example.

Having other Jagex staff testing is a good thing. It means the are one step closer to release unless they find any errors that are hard to iron out. Hopefully this will make Jagex a little more with talking about MechScape as well.


Lies!

Yeah, hoping they keep it a challenge.

I can't really see how it in anyway can be negative to have Jagex employees playing the game, even if they do not make tests or give feedback during their work time. At least where i work everyone talk to each other even if we are working in the same project or department. They can talk and discuss with their fellow employees and give them ideas and tell them what may or may not work so well. I think you'r just being jealous.

You should have asked him what race he played as. Might have been able to reveal one of the unknown races.

You found this out in the surgery room, right?

Even if he did. A good/loyal moderator would never tell you that.

That's what he meant. I worded it wrong, sorry. =(

A game that is challenging sounds good. Hopefully no "You swing at the tree... You get some logs" x 100000000.

That's not very surprising, I'd be more surprised if Jagex moderators weren't testing out/playing the game.

no pic no proof

I wouldn't encourage you to trust player moderators by habit.

Well, it's not like he'd be cutting trees, when a J Mod comes up and says, "lol hai! we're playing mechscape :D"

Anyway, they need to test it extensively, meaning, as many people in Jagex who can help, will help.

Getting extra Jagex staff on MS is less about bug squashing and more about getting a fresh perspective on the game. Someone who has been working on the game for years is less likely to spot something that could be seen as confusing or counter-intuitive.



Well done, Detective.

Mechscape;s controls will be harder to grasp? I guess thats a benefit. Actually the more complex gameplay the more involved players become with the game. Runescape has (somewhat) simple controls which can make it boring at times and even repetetive.

I'm glad they removed grinding.

A game that doesn't include repetitive clicking to achieve a goal?:(
*sarcasm*

surgery room?? someone explain please.

is this some hidden room where P-mods and J-mods can chat together?

or the doctors surgery room? lol

Taken from this article in the Knowledge Base:

Where is this player moderator room you speak of? I would like to know.

...lol ok this is syupid we all knew thi anyway

I figured they have a ton of mods playing the game searching every corner of it for any glitch.

It isn't unreasonable to assume the beta will be released very soon. JaGEx has been getting more liberal with their hints and its long past the original release date. I hope jmods start talking soon.

Hmmm... where is a place that cannot be unlocked, that only J-Mods can get to? Maybe the overgrown trapdoor near the ge?

I wana go in there :(

That's the dwarf mine cart to Keldagrim, located near Rellika. Nothing special about it. Though, you don't really go into the trapdoor, you kind of just click it and get the option to go to Keldagrim or not.

It's possible that the continued delays are to do with the trading system. I'd be amazed if the game doesn't allow somekind of trade between players and given that the Runescape model isn't really that "Awesome", we may have to wait until they can provide a trading system that's game friendly while still combating the problems that uncontrolled trade caused in RS.

I don't have any evidance or J mod quotes to support this, it just seems to be the obvious sticking point at the moment.

Well he said that before that was released. i think when i saw a pic of it it looked a lot like the bottom of the varrock bank. aka. my house (i don't need the lavish life of my construction house. I don't mind living in a bank regularily stolen from.) i think the jmods have a special key they use on the door when its closed which locks it unless your a jmod or pmod. And all the furniture is moved around in the picture.

QUOTE (Jonweasel @ Sep 1 2009, 09:42 PM)

So as some of you are wondering, so what? Jagex made the game so why aren't they allowed to try it out? Well the answer is that A: They *might* be nearing completion since they are letting staff that is directly involved in RuneScape test it out, which they really have no reason to unless they were working with the Mechscape team, which is totally different.

As I am not allowed to go in-depth on this subject of how I got to talk to a Jagex Mod, and that I am unable to provide screen-shots and other reliable information, as it would give away some confidential material, you all have to trust me on this one. All information I tell you is 100% correct, and I'm not making any of this up. =|

A few weeks ago, Mod Paul M (or S, can't exactly remember) was talking to me and a group of other player privately, and we asked him about Mechscape and how it was coming along. To our amazement, he said that just yesterday he had personally played Mechscape for the first time(he is NOT part of the Mechscape team), and when asked if it was as fun as Runescape, he said that the gameplay is much harder to grasp then RuneScape, and that many of the same goals and milestones are somewhat similar to the game as well. He also said that even he himself was unsure of when it was going to be released.

So, just thought I would share that small shard of information with you. =P

this im kindave worried about this EXSPECIALLY the MUCH part

Take it in context though...

"much harder to grasp than runescape", could mean there's more to it than clicking and waiting.

Runescape is overly simplistic, if your worried about a game thats much more complex you probably shouldn't be in the MMO market. They are making this to cater to their players who grew up with RS and want something that has a bit more thought into it.

it dosnt worry me per se (i actually would like there to be more to runescape) but i would think it would worry (and possibly alienaite) alot of runescapes fanbase who like runescape for its simplicity

Yeah I edited my post sorry, I clicked reply earlier than I wanted. However you can't expect a game to not alienate players. Runescape alienates people who want more of a challenge. So think of all the players they are missing out in that market.

Seems like the pmod room isn't so confidential thing any more. Might aswell tell you how to get into it.
First you need to be a mod ofcourse. Wait for a Jmod to open the room. Then talk to lumbridge guide, it will give mods option to say "I would like to enter the pmod room"(Only if the room is open) then just teleport you inside.
The room itself is empty, about the size of varroc west bank. It has a table in it, when you right click on it, it has "j-mod options"(Most likely gives jmod option to open and close the room, but who knows, never been a Jmod myself :() and "examine"(Examine text says something along the lines - for jmods only).

That's all, nothing so special about this room. What makes it special is the text spoken inside it, but it will remain confidential. Forry folks.

Awesome, are there any like player moderator chat rooms - like seperate from rs but using the same logins?

No, there aren't any chat feeds. We have the forums and a few clan chats where we just hang out.