Jagex at E3 - Announches Mechscape for Q1 2009

In 2008 Jagex CEO Geoff Iddison stated that RuneScape "will be the main investment focus for Jagex for the next five years"[14]. Jagex has registered UK trademarks and various related domain names for the term "MechScape".[15][16]Jagex's Head of MechScape Henrique Olifiers announced at the 2008 E3 Media and Business Summit that MechScape was a new MMO that Jagex were working on, expected in the first quarter of 2009. He claims it will be browser-based like RuneScape, but one or two steps beyond RuneScape HD's level of technology. It will have a science fiction theme and be aimed at an older audience.[17] In an interview with GamesIndusy.biz Iddison stated that Jagex have "got a very, very big investment into another MMO" and that it is expected to be released "early next year, Q1 2009" - when asked if it was the MechScape brand, he replied "I can't say too much more, I'm afraid"[18]. On the 18th of June Iddison announced at the GameHorizon conference that Jagex had "a brand new MMO due for launch in March 2009"[19]. As well as working on completely new projects, Jagex continues to develop its existing services. In relation to FunOrb, Jagex continue to release new games and intends to expand into the mobile phone games market[20]. In relation to RuneScape, Jagex continues to release new game content and is working French [21] and Portuguese [22]versions of the game. Jagex have also spoken of plans for a third MMORPG in 2010 which might use micro-payments[23].