Jagex appoints Rob Smith as COO

Runescape developer Jagex Games Studio has promoted its operations manager Rob Smith, who will now serve as the company’s chief operating officer.

Smith, who joined Jagex in 2003 as part of the player support team, will now oversee all operational aspects of game development for Jagex’s various productions. As well as taking responsibility for managing Jagex’s existing games, Smith will also work alongside the studio’s executive team developing future titles.

“Rob’s appointment as chief operating officer is in recognition of his sustained positive contribution to the Jagex family over the last six years,” said Mark Gerhard, Jagex CEO. “I can’t think of anything nicer than developing and promoting talent from within and I have every confidence that Rob will continue to excel in his new position.”

Jagex, which recently hired Jon Hare to work on its FunOrb casual gaming portal, is most famous for its most succesful title, Runescape. The developer is also close to releasing the long-anticipated sci-fi MMO, Mechscape, which it spoke to Develop about at the 2009 Develop Conference.