Jagex, the renowned creator of RuneScape, has clarified that the recent wave of layoffs within the company is “unrelated” to the recent cancellation of Project Zanaris. This project aimed to establish community servers for Old School RuneScape, a concept that was first introduced in the summer of 2024 but was ultimately scrapped in a blog post earlier this month.
Operational Restructuring
In a statement provided to GI.biz, Jagex emphasized that the job cuts primarily affect non-development and non-player-facing roles. However, the departure of some developers, including notable figures like Mod Timbo, has raised eyebrows among the community.
A representative from Jagex stated, “As part of our strategy to build the best experiences for players and grow the RuneScape community, we have proposed changes to our operational structure. These adjustments are designed to reduce complexity, increase agility, and ensure we are fully focused on the areas that matter most — our games, our players, and our future.”
The majority of the proposed role reductions are concentrated in areas such as operations and administrative support, rather than in game development or player engagement. Jagex aims to protect and enhance the teams that directly contribute to delivering value to players.
Recognizing the challenges that come with such changes, Jagex has expressed its commitment to supporting all affected employees during this transition period.
Disclaimer: Alex Calvin is a freelance writer that has worked with Jagex in the past.
