Jagex CEO Jon Bellamy has articulated a bold five-year vision to elevate RuneScape to the status of the world's largest massively multiplayer online game, a position currently held by World of Warcraft. Bellamy detailed this aspiration, which he termed a "pragmatic" goal, in an interview with Chris Dring at The Game Business.
Bellamy stated his objective is for Jagex to become the number one MMO brand globally, acknowledging the significant gap between RuneScape and its closest competitors. He believes that by executing their strategy effectively, Jagex can achieve substantial growth.
Expanding the RuneScape Ecosystem
The CEO envisions a future where Jagex manages at least three major RuneScape titles simultaneously within five years, collectively catering to millions of players. These key games would include the established RuneScape and Old School RuneScape, alongside the forthcoming RuneScape: Dragonwilds, a survival crafting game slated to exit early access in September.
Bellamy expressed no concern about potential audience fragmentation across these titles, likening it to a desire to "sell ice-cream" rather than focusing on whether strawberry outsells chocolate. The company's focus, he explained, is on overall player engagement and growth.
Player Engagement and Longevity
Data shared by Bellamy highlighted the deep engagement of Old School RuneScape's player base, with an average daily play session nearing five hours. The average age of these dedicated players is 32. Bellamy offered personal insight into this engagement, noting that even he plays Old School RuneScape while working, often with a fishing skill active, suggesting a parallel with professionals managing multiple tasks, such as a work spreadsheet alongside the game.
RuneScape, which debuted over 25 years ago, continues to demonstrate remarkable staying power. With both existing titles thriving and new ventures on the horizon, Jagex appears poised to continue its legacy in the MMO space.