Jagex To Announce Publishing Initiative At Gamescom, RuneScape Passes $1 Billion In Lifetime Revenue

Jagex, the studio behind RuneScape, is ready to try its hand at third party game publishing. In a press release issued last week, Jagex revealed their plans for what they're calling Jagex Partners. More information on the platform will be revealed during Gamescom, a gaming convention running from August 21-25 in Cologne, Germany.

Billed as a publishing platform for 'living games', studios that turn to Jagex will gain access to a time-tested suite of features that Jagex has refined over the years to serve RuneScape itself. These include help with user acquisition, digital marketing, analytic and audience insight, monetisation design, billing systems, customer support, and community leadership. Player account management, distribution, and hosting will be handled by Jagex.

Jagex Partners isn't just limited to the PC platform. Consoles and mobile titles will also be supported. Perhaps the most enticing feature of the Jagex Partners platform will be the access it grants to mainland China, the world's biggest gaming market. If you recall, Jagex is now owned by Fu Kong Interactive, a Chinese company.

Its clear Jagex is using the success and brand recognition of RuneScape to promote the new platform. The same press release announced that lifetime revenue for the classic MMORPG has now surpassed $1 billion dollars since its release over 15 years ago.

MMO veterans will recall that this is not Jagex's first foray into game publishing. The studio attempted to publish a Chinese developed browser based strategy game called War of Legends back in 2010. The game was eventually shuttered in 2015. Jagex hasn't been able to find success in its venture outside RuneScape since then. They shuttered both their casual browser gaming site FunOrb and their turn based card game Chronicle: RuneScape Legends earlier this year.

Further Reading: Jagex Partners Press Release