Cambridge games studio Jagex has launched its iconic PC game RuneScape in full on iOS and Android devices.

It follows an astonishing 1.8 million players pre-registered to play it on mobile.

It represents a huge step for the record-breaking fantasy role-playing game, offering complete cross-platform play that enables players to jump between PC and mobile platforms and back again, picking up where they left off.

The MMORPG (massively multiplayer online role-player game) is one of the world’s longest-running online games, and this year celebrates its 20th anniversary

Almost 300 million player accounts have been set up since 2001 - and yet the game remains at what Jagex called “peak popularity”.

Ryan Ward, RuneScape executive producer, said at last Thursday’s launch: “Today, we finally get to share and deliver the unthinkable! We have brought one of the world’s largest, most iconic MMOs, with 20 years’ worth of rich and engaging content, to mobile.

“Players on mobile will be welcomed to a community of millions and get to take their hero on an endless journey through the thriving and living world of Gielinor.

“I cannot wait to hear about all the new stories and accomplishments that our players will experience, and all the new friends they get to make. This is the next chapter of bringing RuneScape everywhere and I could not be prouder of this moment!”

The game comes complete with all the quests, characters, lore and locations and is available as a free download from the App Store and the Google Play Store.

New players can try out the benefits of RuneScape membership, which comes with additional content, with a free 7-day trial.

Players who subscribe as a member on mobile can also play the full members’ game on the desktop version and vice-versa.

Jagex describes its titles as ‘living games’, as they evolve and develop over time, picking up ideas and feedback from the community that plays them.

It launched Old School RuneScape on mobile back in 2018, since when there have been 13 million installs. It has earned a 4.8 out of five rating on mobile stores and won the BAFTA Audience Award for EE Mobile Game of the Year at the BAFTA Games Awards 2019.

Phil Mansell, CEO of the Cambridge Science Park-based company, is hoping the new launch will be even more successful.

“Today’s launch of RuneScape on mobile is a spectacular achievement from our talented development team and gives our player community a whole new way to enjoy RuneScape anywhere, anytime,” he said.

“We believe in taking our living games to wherever our players want them and, with the mobile editions offering cross-platform play with PC, players can now continue their adventures when they’re away from their desktop screens.

“After 20 incredible years as an iconic living game on PC, and with Old School alongside it, we have now brought two of the world’s most popular MMORPGs to the world’s most popular gaming devices.

“The arrival of RuneScape on mobile is testament to our commitment to the continued growth of both titles as multi-platform living games.”

Gallery1

Meanwhile, on Monday, Jagex released the next instalment in RuneScape’s year-long Elder God Wars story arc, called the City of Senntisten.

Delivering a new map, a wealth of challenges and powerful rewards, it became the first new quest available to both PC and mobile players.

Read more

How Jagex protects its gaming communities – and raises millions for charities

Jagex confirms record revenues driven by RuneScape and pledges investment and new games

Old School Runescape wins Jagex mobile game title

Sign up for our weekly newletter and stay up to date with Cambridge business and leisure