As big as runescape?

[jackata2]

We all know that Jagex stated Mechscape would be as big as Runescape at its release...

But how is that possible?

Jagex started with RS classic and spent about 7-8 years bringing such a big game like Runescape, now how could Mechscape be as big as runescape and they have been working 2-3 years on it?

It would be a shock for everybody having a BIG game release in one day.

What about bugs? Will it be full of bugs and just like runescape jagex would sacrifice a whole 1 or 2 years to just keep playing the cat and the mouse game with the fixing bug thing?

[Racheya]

That's an interesting question since they did say it was going to be Runescape sized. I think it's because they have all the technology that they need to be using atm, they'll have coded all the different things that they need to do already, whereas with Runescape, they've had to develop the technology from scratch to do many things - that might explain why it would take less time. Re-using code from Runescape is far easier than the developing of code that was done for Runescape.

 

As for bugs, I guess that's what the Beta testers will (presumably) be there for. There will be bugs, but it's unavoidable really.

[obfuscator]

I think it's been longer than that...maybe 4-5 years.

 

At any rate as Racheya said, they had to develop everything for RS. They have the framework done already so adding more things won't take nearly as long and thus they can develop a new game faster.

 

Not to mention that Jagex/RS didn't always have the staff they do now.

[Racheya]

Racheya, speaking of beta testers, I thought I heard something about all the members being beta testers? Is that true?

I don't know - so far I've not heard of anybody being beta testers yet. From what I've read there was a test done at their HQ with some non-RS players and we think they were trying out MS. I've also read somewhere that Beta will be for members only, though I'm not sure if it would be every member, or perhaps chosen randomly or through an application process.

[Danqazmlp]

The main thing to remember is that RS hasn't been an over-night success. Ok, Stellar dawn is coming out on the back of RS's success, but it also needs time to grow for itself, and for word of mouth to spread for it, much as it did for RS. I would say it would be at least a year before Stellar dawn has a consistent user base to rival RS.

[stevepole]

RS2 beta was members only and we got about a a couple weeks to try it out before it was released publicly. I'm sure Jagex will do the same thing with MS/SD.

 

In relations to the size of RS, Jagex started out with a handful of people and slowing started expanding the game as they wanted to. Once members came out they doubled the size of RS. You also have to remember that the technology wasn't there at the time.

 

[spoiler=example of jagex expanding the map]here is the original map of RS: And here is RS map probably about a year before RS2 was released: So you can see the RS has already been fairly big. They just keep expanding it due to lack of room on the current map.

 

[InkofDeath]

1. Their technology is already existent. They do need to do trial and error, nor develop the systems they use every day to create the content in RS.

2. They have a full scale staff working on Mechscape. Not 10 to 20 like Rs1/Rs2, but probably around 80 to 120 individuals.

3. They know where they want to take the game and they've already got the ideals and creative thought. Thus, they can just mass create what they want to do. Instead of thinking of what they could or could not do.

 

Basically Jagex as a company has matured and if they wanted to replicate RS, it would only take them 3 to 4 years to do so. They've been working on Mechscape for anywhere from three to five years. Mechscape will most likely be larger and much more rich in content than Runescape.

[Perakp]

I don't know - so far I've not heard of anybody being beta testers yet. From what I've read there was a test done at their HQ with some non-RS players and we think they were trying out MS. I've also read somewhere that Beta will be for members only, though I'm not sure if it would be every member, or perhaps chosen randomly or through an application process.

(I thought) it was confirmed that it was going to be an open beta for all jagex's subscribers (funorb/runescape)

[Racheya]

I don't know - so far I've not heard of anybody being beta testers yet. From what I've read there was a test done at their HQ with some non-RS players and we think they were trying out MS. I've also read somewhere that Beta will be for members only, though I'm not sure if it would be every member, or perhaps chosen randomly or through an application process.

(I thought) it was confirmed that it was going to be an open beta for all jagex's subscribers (funorb/jagex)

It may be, but I can't think off the top of my head exactly where.

 

It may have been one of the Q&A sessions perhaps... :-k

[RSBDavid]

I don't know - so far I've not heard of anybody being beta testers yet. From what I've read there was a test done at their HQ with some non-RS players and we think they were trying out MS. I've also read somewhere that Beta will be for members only, though I'm not sure if it would be every member, or perhaps chosen randomly or through an application process.

(I thought) it was confirmed that it was going to be an open beta for all jagex's subscribers (funorb/jagex)

It may be, but I can't think off the top of my head exactly where.

 

It may have been one of the Q&A sessions perhaps... :-k

 

Yup it was.

 

I pray to God that a large portion of the younger Runescape populations stays in Runescape. Hopefully Mechscape will be complicated and challenging enough to attract the older population.

 

I think it will start off smaller, but then work it's way up the popularity chain if it is as good as Jagex states.