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Hot off the back of securing $500m of investment from Softbank, UK developer Improbable has just secured its most high profile partner yet in the form of Jagex. The two UK companies have today announced a technology partnership that will see the Runescape developer use Improbable’s SpatialOS tech in a number of future game projects.
As we reported earlier in the year, Improbable’s SpatialOS tech is a computation platform that lets developers use the power of multiple game engines and servers to building virtual worlds that offer permanent, persistent and engaging experiences. We’ve already seen Bossa Studios deploy SpatialOS in its current title, Worlds Adrift, as well as in fantasy MMORPG Chronicles of Elyria by Soulbound Studios, but Jagex is the first major UK company to commit to using Improbable’s tech for a swathe of new titles.
Herman Narula, Improbable’s co-founder and CEO, commented: Jagex has already made RuneScape an iconic brand in online gaming, and it’s great to be partnering with them to bring new levels of depth and scale to Jagex’s future creations by providing SpatialOS as a platform.
"From catching the first fish on Tutorial Island in 2001 to hunting for loot in the Wilderness, RuneScape and the world of Gielinor have given millions of players great stories to tell. We’re excited to see what such an experienced team with this established and well-loved IP will be able to do with our platform, which enables greater player density, larger and more detailed worlds and new forms of emergent gameplay.”
Phil Mansell, COO and acting CEO of Jagex, said: As a studio, we have online gaming at heart and we’ve always looked for technology that can help to deliver the best possible experience for our players. We’re looking forward to working with Improbable and discovering the advancements the SpatialOS platform can bring to multiplayer gaming.”
To read more about how SpatialOS is changing the gaming landscape, read our in-depth interview with Improbable’s Herman Narula.
