Jobs cut at Jagex following MMO shutdown

Jagex is closing its MMO 8Realms after little more than a year since the game’s closed beta was released.

Develop understands that as a result of the closure, a number of Jagex staff are to lose their jobs, while others will have their positions moved within the company.

“Jagex has always been committed to creating fun and compelling games," said chief operating officer and vice president of RuneScape Daniel Clough.

"During the 8Realms beta it has become clear that the game doesn’t meet our high expectations for success and we are therefore channelling our focus on other exciting opportunities in the pipeline.”

A source has told Develop that 8Realms only managed to attract ten per cent of the user figures needed to turn a profit.

UK studio Jagex made a name for itself – and has met with ongoing success – with its popular RuneScape MMO.