25 Years Ago, One Of The World's Biggest MMORPGs Began As A Simple Browser Game

"Compared to modern MMOs, RuneScape has a decidedly old-school feel, often to the point of seeming directionless. While games like Final Fantasy XIV are focused on ongoing storylines, RuneScape is about the story you tell yourself. After learning the basics, players are set free to do essentially whatever they want, whether that's pursuing mastery of its 20-plus skill trees, hunting down high-level monsters, or helping (or fighting) their fellow players as they see fit."

"Since RuneScape's launch, Jagex has grown from a bedroom startup to a large developer that continues to expand its core MMO. But for all that's changed, RuneScape feels remarkably similar to the game that first launched out of its creators' home, a feat that's taken a lot of intentional work from Jagex. Despite its outmoded freeform exploration, RuneScape has remained committed to player autonomy, and has never strayed from its old-school roots."

"When launched on January 4, 2001, it was a browser game run by two brothers operating out of their parents' house. By the end of 2001, developer Jagex was officially formed, and not long after that, paid subscriptions were introduced. Over the next few years, RuneScape's engine was rewritten twice, and a new graphical style was implemented."

RuneScape launched on January 4, 2001 as a browser game run by two brothers from their parents' house and quickly led to the formation of developer Jagex and paid subscriptions. The game’s engine was rewritten twice and received a new graphical style while preserving an old-school, freeform design. Players pursue over 20 skill trees, hunt high-level monsters, or interact with others instead of following a fixed narrative. Jagex grew from a bedroom startup into a large developer that intentionally maintained player autonomy and the game’s original feel, keeping RuneScape relevant across a quarter-century.

Read at Inverse