Runescape Dying? [Discussion/Observation]

[Kaida23]

@Ginger - For the record, new free accounts do have trade restrictions until they buy membership at least once.

 

Not arguing any of your points, just clarifying that one.

[Oddish DIY]

They should make RS playable on Facebook.

[Miss Lioness]

Well then release runescape on the consoles as a members benefit?

 

Problem solved...

[Aiel]

They should make RS playable on Facebook.

already have

[God Of Lego]

The problem with consoles is the update process. I think sony goes through checks before it can be updated. Think of how outdated Minecraft is to the PC version.

[Ginger_Warrior]

Although you're right in saying there's problems in MS's testing certification process (more specifically, how slow it is... ten working days per update), they aren't to blame for the lag in updates between the different versions of Minecraft. The world map size... spawn limits... the team are clearly challenged by the X360's technical limitations.

 

Furthermore, regardless of issues around updates, you can't fail to admit that the conversion from PC to Xbox has still been nothing less than a resounding success for all involved.

 

As said, my argument isn't about technical issues. Things like UIs would have to be explored if you converted an MMO into a console environment, of course, and you'd have to go back and explore those issues. But it certainly isn't unachievable. My argument is that Jagex's free-to-play model, which they absolutely adamantly will not change their stance on, isn't going to appeal to Sony, Nintendo or Microsoft.

 

Is that due to their own ignorance around Free-to-Play? Partly. But it's still not going to happen. Not in a month of Sundays.

[Kimberly]

The problem with consoles is the update process. I think sony goes through checks before it can be updated. Think of how outdated Minecraft is to the PC version.

 

That has a lot more to do with Microsoft being money grubbing [wagon] than anything else E: and the technical limitations as Gingy rightly pointed out. They charge an exorbitant amount to update something. Sony does checks too but this would work more like netflix than say, the infamous Fez/Minecraft debacles we've all heard about.

[God Of Lego]

The problem with consoles is the update process. I think sony goes through checks before it can be updated. Think of how outdated Minecraft is to the PC version.

 

That has a lot more to do with Microsoft being money grubbing [wagon] than anything else E: and the technical limitations as Gingy rightly pointed out. They charge an exorbitant amount to update something. Sony does checks too but this would work more like netflix than say, the infamous Fez/Minecraft debacles we've all heard about.

 

But with the new PS4 etc, it could be more possible. The elderscrolls online is coming out and diablo has support to. If they made deals where they could have an app with unlimited data and editing (on their half) available then its possible. Sony is being more open to developers these days. Microsoft is copying that route due to how popular it is. Wii U. Well I dont know much about nintendo.

[Miss Lioness]

Nintendo is very on-edge with leaks etc. and thus would not release anything like this that actually then would need to be in a sandbox enviroment. which would increase chances on bugs etc on Runescape, which Jagex is also trying ot avoid.

 

[Note: I have no techincal knowledge of things so take it for a grain of salt, except that nintendo is on-edge with leaks.]

[V O R K]

The problem with consoles is the update process. I think sony goes through checks before it can be updated. Think of how outdated Minecraft is to the PC version.

 

That has a lot more to do with Microsoft being money grubbing [wagon] than anything else E: and the technical limitations as Gingy rightly pointed out. They charge an exorbitant amount to update something. Sony does checks too but this would work more like netflix than say, the infamous Fez/Minecraft debacles we've all heard about.

 

But with the new PS4 etc, it could be more possible. The elderscrolls online is coming out and diablo has support to. If they made deals where they could have an app with unlimited data and editing (on their half) available then its possible. Sony is being more open to developers these days. Microsoft is copying that route due to how popular it is. Wii U. Well I dont know much about nintendo.

ybo

 

Looking at GTA trailer, omgwtfbbqsauce & holy Belgian waffles!

 

It's entirely possible if said world can stay updated & built further I don't see how Runescape can't go to a console however I wouldn't join in since a keyboard and mouse always wins ;).

[Ginger_Warrior]

TESO and Diablo 3 will be key moments. As things stand, you can count the number of half-successful console-based MMOs on one hand, and even they had problems. If they both do well, it might change impressions and provide lessons for future games.

 

I doubt it would be Nintendo, in any case. MMOs don't fit in at all with the company's philosophy towards gaming innovation, really.

[Guest Smelly Paws]

Perhaps good old fashioned advertising would help.

[PolarBearBlue]

TESO and Diablo 3 will be key moments. As things stand, you can count the number of half-successful console-based MMOs on one hand, and even they had problems. If they both do well, it might change impressions and provide lessons for future games.

 

I doubt it would be Nintendo, in any case. MMOs don't fit in at all with the company's philosophy towards gaming innovation, really.

 

Agreed. And if Jagex is really serious about tablets and handhelds, then Nintendo is gonna be major competition. But we shouldn't be surprised, since Nintendo has survived off handhelds since 1997.

[Yoko Kurama]

The game is so obviously in a period of decline that this cannot be denied, as far as popularity and the player base is concerned. Whether this decline is terminal, I do not know. I don't think it is, but it is a period of severe decline.

 

Sure, they can yield more profits from a dwindling customer base, through a process which is basically nothing but accounting tricks. There's nothing wrong with that, most business do this sort of stuff, but it is unsustainable. The underlying cause, the declining player base, is worrisome. The numbers are absolutely astonishingly low. If I had seen such numbers in 2005, I might have thought that half the servers had crashed. Jagex has yet to reverse this trend of declining users, and I am not too optimistic on that note. If they fail to do so, it will eventually spell ultimate doom. A lot of the stuff they're doing is simply not marketable. Just consider a skill like Divination. How are they supposed to attract new players with this? "Click on these balls for 200-300 hours and then do nothing..."? That old MMORPG model of grinding forever is just not attractive (or ethical). It won't work. Runescape is unique in that it consists of a fairly boring and torturous journey involving grinding, with no instant gratification, or great end-rewards. You just hop from one boring journey to another. That stuff doesn't sell in 2013. I have adapted the perspective of a new player for the purposes of this bit. Runescape would certainly seem terrifying from that perspective.

[mousepad]

oldschool RS' average population is up over 50% recently (10k to 16k). Don't really know what I'm trying to say but there you go. Runescape has a fairly large base of hardcore, dedicated players such as myself. It would take something dramatic to get many of us to quit permanently.

[Sy_Accursed]

TESO and Diablo 3 will be key moments. As things stand, you can count the number of half-successful console-based MMOs on one hand, and even they had problems. If they both do well, it might change impressions and provide lessons for future games.

 

I doubt it would be Nintendo, in any case. MMOs don't fit in at all with the company's philosophy towards gaming innovation, really.

 

Agreed. And if Jagex is really serious about tablets and handhelds, then Nintendo is gonna be major competition. But we shouldn't be surprised, since Nintendo has survived off handhelds since 1997.

 

I do not think Nintendo would be competition at all to Runescape on tablets etc.

 

Yes Nintendo is a big player in the handheld gaming market through their dominance of the handheld console BUT Nintendo don't do anything in the mobile gaming market which is the market Runescape would be in for smart phone and tablet usage.

 

Thing could change, but where we are now handheld and mobile are two distinct markets and even if they do overlap a bit I doubt there'd be much direct competition I mean Desktop vs Consoles overlaps and there isn't much in the way of big competition cause they are different play styles and thus audiences.

[Kimberly]

Nintendo's primary success in recent times stem almost entirely from mobile gaming - aka handhelds. They might be two distinct markets but they are both used for on-the-go gaming and just as prevalent as smartphones.

[Sy_Accursed]

But like I said actual mobile gaming and handheld console gaming are still independent markets.

3Ds fights with Vita and the like, not with ios and android etc. devices.

[Ginger_Warrior]

We get it, we honestly do--Jagex could invent the chocolate teapot and you would find a way to defend it.

 

That you honestly think the handheld gaming market and the smartphone gaming market avoid competing with each other, let alone that Jagex would be anything more than a bit-part player in either, is scarcely believable.

[Blyaunte]

... Jagex could invent the chocolate teapot and you would find a way to defend it.

 

Huh? :huh:

 

Is this one of those "English" colloquialisms?

 

:unsure:

[Peever]

Its a teapot made of chocolate....aka a really stupid idea...... He is saying someone (whoever he was refering too) would defend its use etc. Quite funny when you get it right away lol

[PolarBearBlue]

But like I said actual mobile gaming and handheld console gaming are still independent markets.

3Ds fights with Vita and the like, not with ios and android etc. devices.

 

Markets are a lot more complex sir. Yes they are independent markets but ios, androids, and tablets are a substitution for a lot of things. One such substitution is handheld games like the 3DS and Vita. Just look at Nintendo's recent new that in the coming month they are releasing a 2DS at around the price of $150 aimed at lower income families and beginning gamers. Nintendo definitely competes with other handles when it comes to gaming...

[Ginger_Warrior]

... Jagex could invent the chocolate teapot and you would find a way to defend it.

 

Huh? :huh:

 

Is this one of those "English" colloquialisms?

 

:unsure:

Sorry, I thought it was quite a common expression: "About as useful as a chocolate teapot"

[Blyaunte]

... Jagex could invent the chocolate teapot and you would find a way to defend it.

 

Huh? :huh:

 

Is this one of those "English" colloquialisms?

 

:unsure:

Sorry, I thought it was quite a common expression: "About as useful as a chocolate teapot"

 

It must be a cultural thing. I’m a cross-mix of Italian and Pashtun (via Brazil and Trinidad), born in Canada and raised mostly in Quebec – so it’s not a common phrase in my experience … :P

[Sy_Accursed]

I never said they markets avoid competing with each other. I only said the markets are not in direct competition as they have different audiences etc.

 

Equally I never said Jagex would be a major player in that market, simply that I do not think Nintendo would be considered major competition for them as they are aiming at a different market, namely the handheld opposed to the mobile.