Definitely not a love story.
This article from Runescape Blog made me write this post.
Yes, Jagex keeps making moves that drive audience from Runescape fan sites. And yes, there is not a slightest indication of Jagex appreciating what Runescape fan sites are doing for the Runescape community. Quite on contrary: there were multiple occasions of Jagex threatening fan sites with law suites or publicly expressing their displeasure with fan sites practices.
But what would you expect when you take in account:
-- the fact that fan sites (including major ones, actually, especially major ones) have obvious relationships and deals with RWT companies;
-- the fact that only a few of the fan sites filter their ads to exclude RWT ads;
-- the fact that some of the fan sites give space and shelter to cheating communities and have a general anti-Jagex attitude?
Huh?
So, yes, despite myself being a fan site owner and creator, I can understand Jagex's position. And quite frankly, the services they are adding to the web site and game ARE USEFUL.
I admit It could have gone differently if Jagex had decided to embrace already established RS communities from the start and offered fan sites another way of making money (other than RWT ads), affiliation program or something like that. But it hadn't happened and we have what we have. How it stands now, RWT money fuel major fan sites and I simply don't see Jagex feeling warm and cozy about it.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Jagex and Runescape Fan Sites
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2 comments:
I have heard the argument that Runescape are taking away the need of the fan site, I have also heard people complain that Jagex do not listen to their players,
These sentences contradict each other, there is a demand for information about the game, would you buy a game in a shop without instructions? Jagex are giving the information that people want, its not an attack on fan sites its just common sense.
Fan sites can take advantage of the RS shortfalls, the RS forum is pants and that is why the fan sites can offer a better service, fan sites can offer more information on fighting styles quick training methods and personal experiences.
I would be more concerned if Jagex didn't try to give the information people want, they can not rely on fan sites to do their duty.
Turbo here from RSEconomist. Jagex is doing the best it can to discourage non-jagex sanctioned sites. This goes for clans, help sites, and just about everything related to the game. I just blogged about another aspect of it actually.
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