MMOHub Interview: 'RuneScape' Past, Present, and Future

In the second part in the three part interview series with Jagex CEO Mark Gerhard at MMOHub, Gerhard talks about Jagex's flagship title, RuneScape.

He goes over Jagex's new position speaking out against people calling RuneScape a game for kids, a mystery game update possibly coming by the end of 2009 "that could be an entire game on its own," and his goal to turn RuneScape back into a game made for free players, not one that focuses on its paying membership.

[cain141]

I've never been a runescape fan myself, but it's impressive what they have done with it...

[ahnonamis]

I'm in the same boat. I put RuneScape in the list of games I just never got into, but respect a lot for what they've done.

[Viewtiful]

Runescape totally slipped under my radar and then all of the sudden I'm like "What? 2 billion player installed base? Really?"

[Ocelot3997]

That's because you have to be really cheap and not care about quality. If they did they'd just be playing WoW like everyone else.

[Ixon]

Have to say I agree. While I may not enjoy Runescape myself, I approve of getting younger gamers into playing MMORPGs.

[ahnonamis]

He DID say in the interview that they were trying to make people realize it's NOT a game for kids...

[Coyotegrey]

Kiddie approved.....and I approve as well since it's not dumbed down.

Just because a kid can't reach the naughty magazines on the top shelf doesn't mean he or she can't get to 'em. Know what I'm sayin' dawgs?

[TheSmokingManX]

RuneScape has perpetually been the game I make fun of people for playing, even though I know if I actually tried it and gave it a fair chance, I'd probably love it.

[italianbreadman]

It seems there are a lot of games like that out there

[TheSmokingManX]

Yeah, but Runescape I'd say is the epitome of that sort of thing, at least with online RPGs.

[forthegamergood]

Runescape is addictive, and it's really improved over the past few years.

[iheartdestr0y]

Never a runescape guy. Still cool.

[ahnonamis]

Yeah, it's always cool to see someone high up in the company talk candidly without dealing with PR or producers.

[Requiem]

great invterview. I never was a runescape fan but i have more respect for them now. Its nice to see how much work they put into it.

[Coyotegrey]

MMOs are neat, and so is this interview.

[Galados]

Great insight, I thought.

I played Runescape for a while, both free and pay, and I enjoyed it during that time. The biggest beef I had was the graphics, otherwise it had all of the other elements and even some innovative customer service options like the PIN on your bank :P

[ahnonamis]

The graphics are the main reason I haven't honestly tried it out. There are other free games out there, and while graphics aren't the most important part, I do think they need to at least look like they came out within the last decade.

[GNJohn]

Runescape's one of those games I tried when I was flat broke...not much has changed on that front, but as much as I'd love to love runescape, its just a tad...simplistic.

Good article though.

[ahnonamis]

If you're still looking for a good game that's free give atlantica a shot.

[nlmikel]

It's maybe not a game developed for kids but they do play it because they don't want to be a 'kid' anymore. Nice interview!

[Neramaar]

Interesting stuff, great read.