How Runescape Paved the Way for 2Q
In todays world, there are few methods of entertainment that
children find interesting that do not require electricity. Gone are
the days of playing in the streets until the street lights beckoned
the youngsters home for dinner. Kids today live in a world of
constant video stimulation and a lot of the content they view is
passive, meaning that they have no part to play in the absorption of
information; They are not effectively doing anything when they watch
television, for example. This is part of the reason video games are
so enticing to young people. They can interact with a virtual world
and have adventures simply by turning on a game system. More than
that, kids can connect and play with their friends wirelessly.
The Rise of Runescape
This was not always so, however. The trend of online gaming
started with two brothers and a dream of a massively multiplayer
online roleplaying game (MMORPG)
which became known as Runescape.
Andrew and Paul Gower began development of the game in the style of a
Text-based Multi-User Dungeon (MUD) game. This original Runescape did
not look anything like the MMORPG games that are known today, as it
was simply text on a screen. However, after a year of testing, the
Gower brothers formed Jagex, a
company dedicated to handling the business side of the game's
development. Among the accomplishments of Jagex was the development
of RuneScript,
a domain-specific scripting language that is used for event handling.
In 2002, a year after the original games release, a monthly
membership option was introduced, allowing players to access new
items, quests and characters if they so chose. With Runescape rising
in popularity, Jagex put into motion plans for some major changes to
the game with the most drastic being rewriting the game engine to
support fully 3D graphics and released the revamped game in 2004 as
Runescape 2, allowing users to keep their profile from the previous
version, which was repackaged as Runescape Classic.
With MMORPG being such a popular game style, Runescape has
retained its spot at the top of the mountain as the largest free
MMORPG in the world as well as the most-updated game. It has even
been made an official record holder in the Guinness Book of World
Records1.
Runescape continues to enjoy widespread popularity, as it is a
free browser-based game with no need for any type of commitment other
than the time one chooses to spend playing. The allure is great to
those who have played long-term due to the transferability of their
characters and progress in-game. Also, since the game has no linear
story, but instead allows players to go on quests at will in any
order, every game experience will be unique. It is less mainstream
than it was in the early 2000's, however, as it became widely played
during the heyday of trading card games such as Yu-Gi-Oh
and Pokemon. The world of
MMORPG games was forever established as a superpower of the gaming
world with this project ambitiously dreamed up by two brothers.
Revolution? How?
There is something to be learned from the exploits of the Gower
brothers. They had a vision and they worked at it for years until it
came to fruition. Such is the case with 2Q.
This brainchild of T and K has become a long-standing commitment of
theirs and a testament to their tenacity. Their vision will evolve
much as Runescape did, with a beta test of the game being released to
a chosen 144,000. While Runescape went through several iterations and
therefore had a few account transferral problems, 2Q will feature a
lifetime membership. One account for life, with a one-time fee. With
so many games charging a monthly fee that borders on ridiculous, 2Q
will become very attractive to the pocketbook, while the game's story
will stimulate the mind.
How Do I Fit In?
My involvement in 2Q intrigues me because I was raised by
Christian and Catholic families. I have since decided that I do not
consider myself either, but I certainly know of some of the stories
of the faith and was raised with morals exemplified by The Bible. 2Q
tells a well-known story from a slightly altered perspective,
questioning the stories we all know and dissecting them, breaking the
story of Jesus into more malleable components. It will make people
think and that will draw the attention of people like me; The
attention of skeptics is a hot commodity in the world of religious
interpretation and open-mindedness. Religion is a very hot-button
topic for some and will always warrant discussion. What 2Q aims to
accomplish is to challenge people to ask themselves questions and
analyze the things they think they know. Curious people will be the
lifeblood of this game and it will provide an excellent avenue into
expanding ones mind.
Where Will 2Q Take Me?
The use of gaming to educate and indeed facilitate
open-mindedness is a brilliant marketing decision and is something
that will reach a great many people. Being browser-based, the game is
immediately accessible and can be played from any computer, making it
a fantastic way to spend some downtime. Aside from that, 2Q offers an
opportunity for some insight into the central story of a faith that
has been vilified and maligned over the years. With so many negative
connotations surrounding Christianity and it's many branches and
forms, 2Q will facilitate a re-education on the story of Christ from
a more human standpoint that will feel more relatable and entirely
immersive to the player.
The journey has not been easy for T and K who have spent over
seven years planning, conceptualizing and refining their vision. The
Agents they have met along the way have done their best to ensure
that the final product is sharp, powerful and most of all, moving.
Coupling the planning and vision of T and the artistic and
technological know-how of K, the project known as 2Q is a labour of
love that is poised to take on all open minds and above all, expand
the consciousness of others.
1 For more information, visit
the Guinness
page for Runescape