Jagex

Jagex Limited is a British video game developer and publisher based at the Cambridge Science Park in Milton, Cambridgeshire. It is best known for RuneScape and Old School RuneScape, both free-to-play massively multiplayer online role-playing games.

In addition to RuneScape, Jagex has released multiple casual games on its FunOrb portal, as well as other titles. Jagex was owned by U.S. investors between 2012 and 2016, by Chinese investors from 2016 to 2020, by Macarthur Fortune Holding LLC in 2020, by The Carlyle Group from 2020 to 2024, and is presently owned by CVC Capital Partners.[2][3][4][5][6]

History

Jagex was founded in 1999 by brothers Andrew and Paul Gower.[7] That same year they began work on the MMORPG RuneScape, which was released in January 2001. In December 2001, Andrew Gower, Paul Gower, and Constant Tedder launched Jagex in its current incarnation, with Tedder as its CEO.[8] Jagex formally acquired the Jagex name from Andrew Gower in 2001.

RuneScape grew dramatically; one year after its release over a million free accounts had been registered. The game was originally supported by advertisements, however, the dot-com bubble meant that there were fewer advertisers. The new company created a paid version of the game with extra features, to support hosting costs and continued development.[8] The pay-to-play version of RuneScape was released on 27 February 2002.[9] It gained 2,000 subscribers in the first hour and 5,000 subscribers in the first week, making it one of the largest Java pay-to-play games in the world at the time. In 2007, RuneScape achieved one million subscribers; 11 years after launch, the company touted 200 million accounts.

Acquisitions

In July 2022, Jagex acquired US games company Pipeworks Studios,[30][31] which was later sold to Virtuos Studios.[32] In December 2022, Jagex acquired Gamepires, a Croatian studio that developed the open world survival game Scum.[33]

Charity fundraising

Since 2004 Jagex has made donations to a number of national and international charities, as well as running charity auctions for signed merchandise.

Jagex has donated artwork and prizes to the MMO Calendar, which raises funds for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.[34]

In 2013, Jagex introduced the "Well of Goodwill" to RuneScape, which allowed players to gift in-game items or wealth to charity, featuring a hi-scores page for the players who donated. For every 10 million gold pieces from the community, Jagex donated $2 to a range of charitable causes.[35]

In July 2014, Jagex helped raise awareness about the illegal poaching of black and white rhinos by adding rhinoceros pets and trivia questions to RuneScape. This campaign was partnered with United for Wildlife.[36]

Jagex raised over £445,000 in 2020, focusing on mental health and diversity and inclusion.[37]

Games

External links