Jagex opens California studio

RuneScape maker, Jagex, has opened a new studio in California.

Jagex’s newly created US studio is staffed by the team of veteran developers who previously worked on the Rockstar’s Midnight Club series.

Carnage Racing is the studio’s first title and marks Jagex’s first foray into social gaming. It is a 3D multiplayer racing game for Facebook. The game, which is being developed with Unity, is promised to be graphically striking and will have a variety of vehicles, weapons and power-ups to put to the test on 3D racetracks.

“Carnage Racing is set to bring the development quality of triple-A gaming to Facebook by presenting racing fans with a truly compelling and unbeatable multiplayer racing experience.

“With Carnage Racing, we are determined to offer a console-like experience which capitalises on Facebook’s vast network to match player’s race after race, in what promises to be the best 3D racer on Facebook,” said Rob Ollett, Jagex’s VP of third-party publishing.

Arash Amini, Carnage Racing producer, added: “Carnage Racing perfectly blends arcade style gameplay mechanics with triple-A graphics to give racing fans a Facebook gaming experience like no other. With a vast array of customisation, upgrades and an army of waiting competitors, Carnage Racing is set to change the way people think about racing games on Facebook.”

The game will launch this November exclusively on Facebook.

Develop previously reported that Jagex had opened a new studio outside of Cambridge.