Jagex: Regarding The Name Of Mechscape, A statement of clarification Options

[Ren]

Just got this from Mark Gerhard (CEO of Jagex):

Hello everyone,

In a recent press release we stated that our upcoming sci-fi title was code named “MechScape”. Many people have been looking for clarification regarding the name of this new game, so we decided it would be best to attempt to clarify this matter.

When we first came up with the idea for our new game it was primarily focused on robots known as “mechs”, hence the name MechScape made perfect sense. It drew on the main theme of the game, and also played on the “-scape” brand which we had established with RuneScape. Okay, we thought, we have the name sorted, so now let’s get on with the exciting bit of development.

And so we grew fond of the name, and some fans found out about it and many of them got invested in the name too, and therefore we believed that the name was definitely going to be MechScape. But recently we decided to re-evaluate it, which is why we referred to it as just a “code name”. There are various reasons for us to stick with the original name, and it is possible that we might end up doing just that, but there are also reasons why we might still want to change it.



During the game’s early evolution we became a lot more ambitious, and substantially widened our vision beyond just robots to encompass the wider possibilities of the sci-fi genre. This meant that the first half of the MechScape name could give people an overly narrow view of what the game is about. Similarly, if we drew on the RuneScape brand by using the “-Scape” suffix then it could make people think the game was essentially RuneScape in space, which it defiantly is not. Whatever name we go with we will be using for a very long time, so we want to get it right and that is why it is back on the table for discussion.

So the honest answer to the question of what the game will be called is that we don’t know yet. We have a number of ideas, one of which is just to stick with the initial name. We understand that many people would have liked to have known earlier that the name wasn’t set in stone. In response to this we would like to make it clear that it was only very recently that we seriously began reconsidering the name again. However, I admit that we should have told our fans as soon as we were unsure about it. We are aware that the name of our title is a very emotive area, and whatever decision we ultimately make we will not make lightly.

Please don't take this statement to mean that the game is now done and all we have to worry about now is what to call it. There is still a fair amount of development work left for us to do. We can't give you a release date at the moment because large complex game development projects such as this one are extremely hard to estimate. The last thing we want after spending so much time and energy on this project is a rushed release, which is why we won't launch it until we are confident that it is ready.


I do hope this clarifies matters a little bit more and that you remain as excited about the game as we are.

So that puts some things to rest:
1. It might be called MechScape, it might not be. They haven't decided yet.
2. Jagex weren't being deceptive when they openly called it MechScape as if that were the definite name, because at the time they thought that WAS the definite name (hence the trademarks and all that jazz).
3. They are still very much working on MechScape, so they are not just poised to release it at any moment.

I'd like to thank Jagex for trying to clarify this matter. Even if we still don't know what it will be called at least we know what thee situation is and why.

[Spire]

So it's not a definate yes or no, but that's fine. It means that they're taking time to work on it.

[TheAnnunaki]

sigh sounds like its not gona be released for awhile....

[Darkness]

Whatever they call it in the end, i hope it is for the best, and the to the greatest of their fans interests.

I myself would prefer them to stick with MechScape, it's a nice name and alot of things have been built around
that name including "MechScapeWorld.com"

But, i will say that when they do decide on the name, i hope there are no problems that will hit anything hard.

Good Luck Jagex.

[zepherusbane]

Well it's good that they were responsive to the community by clarifying the situation. That explanation makes perfect sense to me.

[Abitare]

Thanks for clarifying that although I personally believe MechScape would be a well-suited name to the genre you are aiming at.

[Garanaw]

Hmmm, I wonder what the other possibilities are ...

[Almin]

I hope they keep it to a changed name. Coming from an older and long player of Runescape, about like 3-4years. I've watched and read the name Runescape on the login screen so many times. I don't want to read Mechscape on the screen when it comes out.

But at the same time, I wouldn't MIND it were called Mechscape consdiering other companies don't have a problem with it. Hence StarCRAFT and WarCRAFT.

[Edd]

Thank you soo much Jagex for putting our mind at ease.
ad least we know where we stand on the name change situation

[girs30]

I hope that, if they ever change the name, they contact ren before announcing it

[JJ17400]

So we don't know when its coming out and now we don't know what the name is going to be

This post has been edited by JJ17400: Apr 3 2009, 02:41 PM

[CrustyPorpoise]

Just as I get used to the name, this comes out. Oh well, I'm sure it will be a massive hit regardless of the title.

[djpailo]

I'm not surprised they haven't finalized the name. The name is extremely important, so naturally Jagex should take time to think of a name. I do quite like the name "mechscape" though so I hope they do not change it.

This post has been edited by djpailo: Apr 3 2009, 02:49 PM

[Rick Astley]

Well i like MechScape too but as he said, ppl would think it was runescape in space.

Either way i like both.

[AlienLancer]

Sounds like the game still has a few months before released :(

[Topunit]

I suppose that sounds reasonable.

Imo, the fact that some people think MechScape is RuneScape in space is a silly minor issue that's not worth worrying about.

So I suppose the Stellar Dawn trademark isn't related to MechScape after all?

This post has been edited by Topunit: Apr 3 2009, 02:55 PM

[flyerphan]

im goin to say June is when it will come out

[AlienLancer]

My guess is that it will be released august - september.

[Daniel]

Thanks for the clarification. Could have been a little sooner, but anyway.

I understand where they are coming from; it's a bit of a sticky situation.

The problems with the MechScape name are:
- When people see 'scape', they think of RuneScape. a) Making it sound like RuneScape in space, and b) Carrying over the reputation from e.g. WoW players who mock RuneScape.
- 'Mech' ties them down with the idea of robots and mechanoids.

The advantages of keeping MechScape are:
- Everybody already knows the MechScape name.
- There are multiple communities already established around the MechScape name.
- Having the term 'scape' as a franchise can be a powerful marketing tool.

We'll just have to see. I'm sure they will tell us in advance if they ever concretely decide the new name.

Personally, if they have to change the MechScape name (I hope not), I still like 'Stellar Dawn'. But perhaps that is indeed just a FunOrb game...

[Gambit]

*shrugs*

the name isnt massive to me, the only problem i see is the forum being named something different to the game.