Jagex, makers of the ridiculously popular browser-based MMO, RUNESCAPE, have announced their new project entitled FunOrb.
FunOrb is an upcoming hub site for mostly-free, casual Java games which players can enjoy in short spurts or pay for greater access. Community features such as forums and leaderboards are promised. You can read interviews with Jagex folks at Gamasutra and Next-Gen.
I must say I’m disappointed here. It’s been known that Jagex had been adding staff and working on a new project for quite some time. I had hoped this was an all-new MMO or an overhaul to RUNESCAPE, dragging the game’s graphics and functionality into the 21st Century. Instead we get a collection of casual games. Oh well. Perhaps a new MMO is still in-the-works behind closed doors. Fingers-crossed.