Jagex Faces Layoffs, Old School RuneScape Project Halted

Jagex has announced the pause of Project Zanaris, which aimed to introduce community servers to Old School RuneScape. This decision follows recent layoffs at the studio, raising concerns among fans about the company's future direction. In a blog post, Jagex expressed mixed feelings towards the project, stating that focus needs to shift to other essential areas of the game. The layoffs, part of a broader company restructure, primarily affected non-game development roles, but have also impacted beloved developers Mod Jack and Mod Timbo, both of whom played significant roles in RuneScape’s evolution. Despite these changes, Jagex reassured players that the game’s development roadmap remains intact and highlighted ongoing efforts in server improvements and community events.

Pausing Project Zanaris means that players will not have access to community servers for the time being, as Jagex shifts its focus to other improvements and initiatives within Old School RuneScape. This could affect community engagement and custom gaming experiences that players were looking forward to.

Old School RuneScape is a retro version of the long-running MMORPG RuneScape, maintaining its classic graphics and gameplay while catering to a dedicated fan base. Since its launch in 2013, it has successfully retained players by embracing community-driven updates and nostalgic content. The game's recent challenges, particularly surrounding monetization and player satisfaction, have compounded with the uncertain future of its development team, making its ongoing evolution crucial for retaining player interest.