RuneScape 3 – MMO Fallout

MMOrning Shots: RuneScape Three

Today’s MMOrning Shot is very timely, coinciding with the release of RuneScape 3. The screenshot above is technically from the HTML5 version which will not go live for another couple of months. In addition to a new music system and interface releasing today, players will also be taking part in the Battle For Lumbridge, a series of weekly events that promise to change the landscape of RuneScape forever. The update is scheduled to go live in approximately ten minutes from this writing, so grab your knapsack and a sword of destiny, and set forth.

Jagex Expanding Into Latin America

Good news, Latin American Scapers! Jagex has announced today that the UK developer has plans to expand RuneScape into Latin America by launching the upcoming RuneScape 3 in Spanish. By partnering with Axeso5, RuneScape 3 will be launched in Argentina, Peru, Mexico, Chile, Columbia, Venezuela, and a number of other countries with fully localized support and community events headed up by Axeso5. Chief Marketing Officer David Solari had the following to say about the announcement:

“The gaming market is an area of ongoing growth across Latin America and we are now in a position where we feel RuneScape 3 is the perfect offering for this market, due to its accessibility and rich game experience. RuneScape has captivated players around the world for the past 12 years and we look forward to welcoming Latin America players into our global family.”

RuneScape 3 launches on July 22nd.

(Source: Jagex Press Release)

RuneScape 3 Arrives July 22nd

RuneScape 3 is here! Well, almost, anyhow. In an announcement released today, Jagex has revealed that July 22nd is the official launch date of the next major upgrade to RuneScape. Dubbed RuneScape 3, the update brings the full release of the game’s HTML5 client, with improved performance, graphics (seen above), lighting, and more. RuneScape’s audio engine is also receiving a boost, allowing for high fidelity music written by BAFTA award winner James Hannigan. Players will also be able to utilize the new customizable interface, along with an upgraded camera, seasonal high scores, and more.

But it wouldn’t be a major RuneScape update without something going on with the story. Following the events of The World Wakes, the world of Gielinor is once again in danger. The god who once protected the world from intervention is now dead, and the other gods are returning to reclaim their land. Entrusted as the world’s guardians, the players must ultimately decide who may stay and who may leave. RuneScape 3 will introduce the Battle of Lumbridge, a weekly event where player choices will determine the fate of many. RuneScape 3 also ushers in the first of two skills planned for this year, Divination, which will arrive a few weeks after launch.

RuneScape’s HTML5 requires Google Chrome to run.

(Source: RuneScape)

RuneScape Coming To Tablets This Year

RuneScape has some pretty massive updates coming this year, from two skills to an overhauled interface, the move to HTML5 as well as Jagex’s continued pledge to weekly content additions. In the past, Jagex has talked about the trouble of bringing RuneScape to consoles, particularly that Sony and Microsoft refuse to allow players to be on the same servers with their cross-console counterparts. Since then, Jagex has shifted focus mainly toward getting RuneScape on mobile platforms, and in a statement from Mark Gerhard, we will be seeing that sooner than we thought:

“We’re working insanely hard to make sure it’s ready for Q4 this year on tablets,” says Gerhard. “I think that’s a risk in that there’s a lot of unknowns, there’s a lot of R&D going on, and there’s still some tech questions, but right now the team is laser-focused on RuneScape 3.”

You can read the rest of Gerhard’s comments at the link below.

(Source: Gamasutra)

RuneScape 3 Beta Program Detailed

Jagex’s upcoming overhaul to RuneScape, also known as RuneScape 3, will be coming to all players later this summer. Before then, however, players are being invited to test out the new system in order to find any bugs or offer feedback to improve features before they go live. In preparation, Jagex has unveiled some details for how the beta will work, in a post on the main website. While gold and silver premier club members will receive guaranteed access, members will need to register for a chance to get into the beta. While the number will start out small and open up gradually, the announcement does state that all members will have a chance to try out the new game before it goes live.

3rd April: Registration for the RuneScape 3 Beta Programme is opened to members.
10th April: Registration closes.
17th April: HTML5 beta begins.
24th April: New interface alpha begins.

The HTML 5 beta begins in just about three weeks. As with Evolution of Combat, we will be doing impression pieces once the beta goes live.

(Source: RuneScape)

Jagex Unveils RuneScape 3

We’ve known about a next generation RuneScape for quite a while now. What we know so far is that RuneScape 3 will be a continuation of RuneScape 2, where the current game will cease to exist and players (and their characters) will be fully transferred to the new system. RuneScape 3 will also bring with it better graphics, powered by HTML5 and a fully orchestrated soundtrack.

We will have more details about RuneScape 3 as Jagex hands them out.

(spoiler alert)

With the recent release of The World Wakes, Jagex released a quest to set up where the future of RuneScape will head. Guthix is dead and his edicts banishing the gods from Gielinor have been destroyed. Followers of all of the gods are making preparations for the return of their deity, and undoubtedly Jagex’s MMO is about to plunge into a planet-shattering war.