The ambitious vision of Jagex CEO Jon Bellamy for RuneScape, a classic British point-and-click MMO, is nothing short of remarkable. Bellamy's aspiration to make RuneScape the biggest MMO in the world, surpassing the mighty World of Warcraft, is a bold move that has caught the attention of many in the gaming industry.
The Ice Cream Analogy
Bellamy's confidence is evident in his analogy comparing the three RuneScape games to different flavors of ice cream. He's not concerned about which flavor sells more; he just wants to sell ice cream. This approach suggests a focus on diversity and catering to different player preferences, which is an interesting strategy in the highly competitive MMO market.
Age and Engagement
One fascinating detail is the average age of the player base for Old School RuneScape, which is 32 years old. This is a mature audience, and the fact that they are engaging with the game for an average of five hours per day is impressive. It speaks to the game's ability to capture and retain players' attention, which is a key factor in the success of any MMO.
A Pragmatic Approach
Bellamy's pragmatic mindset is refreshing. He acknowledges the gap between RuneScape and the current number one, World of Warcraft, but he's not deterred. His focus is on doing great things and making headway, which is a more realistic and achievable goal.
The Future of RuneScape
With the upcoming release of RuneScape: Dragonwilds and the continued success of Old School RuneScape, Jagex seems poised to make a strong push towards their goal. The question remains, however: can they truly dethrone the king of MMOs? Only time will tell, but it's an exciting prospect for fans of the genre.
Conclusion
In my opinion, Jagex's ambition is admirable, and their strategy of diversifying their portfolio while maintaining a strong focus on player engagement is a smart move. While it may be an uphill battle, the potential for RuneScape to become the top MMO is certainly there, and I, for one, am excited to see how this story unfolds.
