Jagex to release multi-format living game from leading Polish studio to players around the world in 2021
First major deal for RuneScape creators’ third-party publishing programme
Leading British games company Jagex has today announced that it has signed a deal with Flying Wild Hog to launch a new multi-format living game, the first title to be signed to its third-party publishing division Jagex Partners.
The deal will see the game launch in 2021, with open and closed beta phases planned to allow players into the game ahead of release. The game will launch on Jagex’s new publishing platform, which is being developed using the extensive knowledge and skills that Jagex has built over almost two decades of running live game services.
Founded in 2009 and with more than 250 staff based in Poland at studios in Warsaw, Cracow and Rzeszów, Flying Wild Hog is best known for Hard Reset and the Shadow Warrior series. It was acquired last year by private equity firm Supernova Capital LLP, founded by former Splash Damage CEO Paul Wedgwood.
The new game – built using Unreal Engine 4 – will deliver a rich, deep, connected and customisable multiplayer action-RPG gaming experience of high adventure and explosive action set in a sci-fi universe.
Jagex, well known for the success of its $1billion RuneScape franchise, now in its 20th year of live service operations, launched Jagex Partners in 2018 to deliver live game publishing and operational services tailored specifically to the needs of third-party studios. Central to the offer is access to Jagex’s living games publishing suite of services, including user acquisition, digital marketing, analytic and audience insight systems, monetisation design, and community leadership.
Flying Wild Hog CEO, Michal Szustak, said: “In Jagex, we’ve found the ideal publishing partner for a game that our talented development team can’t wait to show the world. What’s been clear since the very first conversation we had with Jagex Partners is that they completely understand independent development, the resources and best practice in building and maintaining a live game service, and crucially how to delight and engage players.”
Phil Mansell, Jagex CEO, said: “When we set out to build Jagex into the home of a portfolio of living games – experiences like the RuneScape franchise which have the ability to last for 20 years or more – we were absolutely confident that we would be able to find games of huge potential. In Flying Wild Hog, we’ve found a partner that fully appreciates the importance of evergreen and evolving design, meaningful social interaction, player empowerment, and long-term commercial opportunity. It’s a team with a rare combination of passion, vision, focus and skill. Together with Jagex, this is a potent combination and we’re really excited to get our teeth into this partnership and to work as one international team.”
Jeff Pabst, VP 3rd Party & Partnerships, said: “We’ve looked at hundreds of games since we launched Jagex Partners because we always knew that we wanted to find the absolute best for our first deal – and that takes time to find. We have found a great game and a great partner in FWH and we can’t wait to start building something special for a new community of players.”
Paul Wedgwood, founder of Supernova Capital LLP, added: “When we fused the talent at Flying Wild Hog with Supernova’s proven leadership, we knew we could create something very special together. And now we’re delighted to count Jagex as a fellow adventurer on this journey, a partner that understands the passion of development, has deep publishing knowledge and experience, and has a clear business strategy and vision to make what lies ahead a huge success.”
More details about the Flying Wild Hog title will be revealed in the coming months. For more information about Jagex Partners and to stay up to date with the latest information go to www.jagex.com/partners
About Jagex
A leader in creating deep and engaging live games on PC and mobile, Jagex’s flagship MMORPG, RuneScape, has welcomed more than 280million player accounts to its world and is a $1bn lifetime revenue franchise. Today the RuneScape franchise exists beyond running games in live operations; our titles are living games that connect and inspire millions of players, with content and experiences both inside and outside of inexhaustible game worlds. Both RuneScape and Old School RuneScape, on PC and mobile, offer ever-evolving, highly-active worlds and our community-focussed development ethos empowers players to have a real say in how each game is shaped. Now we’re expanding and extending our portfolio with fresh franchise titles, new IP and, in 2018 launched Jagex Partners, delivering third-party publishing and operational services exclusively for live games, to bring life to the living games of the future. Jagex employs more than 400 people at its Cambridge headquarters. Career information can be found at www.jagex.com
About Flying Wild Hog
Founded in 2009 in Warsaw, Poland, independent game studio Flying Wild Hog’s name evokes the same core feeling as its acclaimed catalog of titles — action-packed, fast-paced, and wholeheartedly unique. From Hard Reset to the Shadow Warrior series, Flying Wild Hog’s titles have established a reputation for quality and care, attracting the likes of Devolver Digital and spurring rapid and continued growth across its three Polish studios and more than 250 employees. Following its recent acquisition by Supernova Capital LLP, Flying Wild Hog seeks to continue delivering original, high-quality game experiences that transport players to exciting new worlds and push creative boundaries. In continuation of the creative partnership with Devolver Digital, Flying Wild Hog is currently working on – Shadow Warrior 3 – the offbeat first-person shooter, as well as other unannounced projects. With an ever-expanding game portfolio that leverages a proven production pipeline, Flying Wild Hog delights in delivering the unexpected! More information can be found at www.flyingwildhog.com
About Supernova Capital LLP
Supernova was founded by six of the key forces behind award-winning London-based studio, Splash Damage (Paul Wedgwood, Mark Morris, Ross Farrow, Richard Jolly, Griff Jenkins, and Arnout van Meer). With dozens of #1 hits to their names and hundreds of awards and nominations, Supernova draws upon decades of experience and industry credibility in the AAA game development space and beyond. It is a private equity firm, focused on realising the untapped potential of independent game development studios and their IPs across the globe. Supernova seeks to create a network of talented, independent creators, offering them the capital and high-level support necessary to establish long-term stability in an unpredictable industry, all while allowing them to maintain their creative freedom and independence. This, in turn, will ultimately create the happiest, healthiest, and most profitable studios in our solar system!