"RuneScape 3," a sequel to the super-popular free to play adventure game "RuneScape," is coming this summer, developer/ publisher Jagex says. The browser-based game will feature a slew of updates as it looks to take advantage of its new HTML5 engine to improve performance.
As Jagex promises a big leap for the free-to-play title, the game will come with updated graphics, longer draw distances, improved audio and overall new design including a customizable interface among other enhancements.
"We've got a significant upgrade to the game engine and we're moving to a new platform effectively because we're using HTML5 instead of Java," Mark Ogilvie, design director of RuneScape, tells Wired. "It gives us better draw distances, gives us a better performance of the game. That's the technology behind everything, then we're fundamentally reworking our interface and the way the players engage with the product to make it more accessible, intuitive and enjoyable."
Although the game is slated for a summer release, the price and release date remain unclear. The game will set in the sixth Age of RuneScape following the death of one of RuneScape's gods, Guthix, and will build on the significant content updates that have led up to this point.
"The way the player interacts with the game, the choices they make and the relationships they build up within the game actually directs the way we make the game in the future," Ogilvie adds.
