Jagex Developing Mech-based MMORPG?
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Jagex Gains Strong Momentum for 2009, Reinforces Position as Leader in Browser 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 Armies of Gielinor 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.
