14 DAY TRIAL // Jagex is the studio behind the very popular free-to-play browser-based massively multiplayer online role playing game RuneScape. In a recent interview, Mark Gerhard, the head of Jagex, has shared his opinion about the Blizzard's failed Real ID initiative. According to Gerhard, Blizzard's success has made the studio too sure of itself.
“They've become very successful and, as a result, probably very arrogant - perhaps even over-self-assured,” Gerhard told Eurogamer. “People want and need online games as an escape. You don't want more real-life, because for most people that's quite dull. Making everyone in your community real all of a sudden, exposing them... 18 year-old Billy and 19 year-old Susie and whatever else... It certainly wouldn't resonate with our community. The strength of online games when done well is that you democratize the whole service, the whole game.”
He continued to boast RuneScape as the second most successful MMO after Word of Warcraft, saying that he was sure that Blizzard was aware of his company's position on the market. “I know they have a huge amount of respect for what Jagex does,” Gerhard said. “They certainly looked to Jagex in the early days. There's no doubt that they set a higher bar and played very, very aggressively and commercially about their product [World of Warcraft]. That's cool, it's not our modus operandi. Equally, I respect them hugely. It's very good to have a serious competitor.”
Jagex is also working on another online game entitled Stellar Dawn. Like RuneScape, it will be free-to-play and it will also be launched from the browser. On the other hand, Stellar Dawn will have a science-fiction setting and will focus on combat. In addition to this, Jagex runs casual gaming portal FunOrb, home to both single player and multiplayer titles aimed for a more mature, but rather time pressed audience.