Editing Jagex (section)

==History==
[[File:Jagex Logo.png|thumb|right|An early Jagex logo]]
After initially creating the Jagex name and logo for their projects, brothers and computer programmers Andrew and Paul Gower began trading under the Jagex name in 1999, describing Jagex Software as a "small software company based in England who specialise in producing top-quality Java-games for webpages." That same year they began work on the [[MMORPG]] ''RuneScape'', which was released in January 2001. In December 2001, Andrew Gower, Paul Gower, and Constant Tedder launched Jagex in its current incarnation, with Tedder as its [[Chief executive officer|CEO]].<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Griliopoulos |first=Dan |date=2012-06-27 |title=The Longest Game: The Making of RuneScape |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/longest-game-making-runescape |access-date=2024-03-09 |website=PCGamesN |language=en-US}}</ref> Jagex formally acquired the Jagex name from Andrew Gower in 2001.

''RuneScape'' grew dramatically; one year after its release over a million free accounts had been registered. The game was originally supported by advertisements, however, the [[dot-com bubble]] meant that there were fewer advertisers. The new company created a paid version of the game with extra features, to support hosting costs and continued development.<ref name=":3" /> The [[pay-to-play]] version of ''RuneScape'' was released on 27 February 2002.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bailey |first=Dustin |date=2018-08-03 |title=Runescape is 6,000 days old |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/runescape/runescape-release-date |access-date=2024-03-09 |website=PCGamesN |language=en-US}}</ref> It gained 2,000 subscribers in the first hour and 5,000 subscribers in the first week, making it one of the largest Java pay-to-play games in the world at the time. In 2007, RuneScape achieved one million subscribers; 11 years after launch, the company touted 200 million accounts.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dobson |first=Jason |title=Q&A: Behind RuneScape's 1 Million Subscriber Success |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/q-a-behind-runescape-s-1-million-subscriber-success |access-date=2024-03-09 |website=www.gamedeveloper.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Gallegos |first=Anthony |date=2012-07-19 |title=RuneScape Touts Over 200 Million Accounts |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2012/07/19/runescape-touts-over-200-million-accounts |access-date=2024-03-09 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref>

Until the release of ''[[War of Legends]]'' in 2010, the company used the slogan "Java Gaming Experts" as it had only produced games written in [[Java (programming language)|Java]] up to that point. Following the launch of the [[Adobe Flash|Flash]]-based ''War of Legends'', the company name was said to stand for "Just About the Game Experience".<ref name="MCVUK">{{cite web |date=18 March 2010 |title=WAR OF LEGENDS PROVES VICTORIOUS IN BATTLE |url=http://www.develop-online.net/press-releases/war-of-legends-proves-victorious-in-battle/0141923 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170313041524/http://www.develop-online.net/press-releases/war-of-legends-proves-victorious-in-battle/0141923 |archive-date=March 13, 2017 |access-date=16 May 2011 |publisher=Develop}}</ref>

===Company structure===
As ''RuneScape'' gained users, Jagex grew. By 11 December 2003, ''RuneScape'' had 65,000 paying members, and Jagex had 29 employees.<ref name="RuneToMove">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2003/dec/11/games.onlinesupplement2|title=Rune to move|access-date=16 May 2011|location=London|work=The Guardian|first=Sean|last=Dodson|date=11 December 2003}}</ref> On 4 May 2007, ''RuneScape'' had over 6,000,000 active free accounts and over 1,000,000 active pay-to-play subscribers. By July 2012, Jagex had over 500 employees.<ref name="Employees2012">{{cite news|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/tech/columnist/marcsaltzman/story/2012-07-29/runescape-fun-facts/56542606/1|title=USA Today :: Five things you didn't know about RuneScape|access-date=27 July 2012|date=29 July 2012}}</ref>

Initially, the company was self-funded; however, in October 2005, Jagex received an investment from [[Insight Venture Partners]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 25, 2005 |title=Jagex Ltd Secures Investment from Insight Venture Partners; Investment Fuels Global Growth and Accelerates Delivery of New Products to Loyal Player Community |url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20051025005808/en/Jagex-Secures-Investment-Insight-Venture-Partners-Investment |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181003012345/https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20051025005808/en/Jagex-Secures-Investment-Insight-Venture-Partners-Investment |archive-date=October 3, 2018 |website=Business Wire}}</ref> On 23 October 2007, Geoff Iddison, former European REO of [[PayPal]], replaced Constant Tedder as CEO.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Alexander |first=Leigh |date=October 22, 2007 |title=Jagex Gets Former PayPal CEO To Grow RuneScape |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/jagex-gets-former-paypal-ceo-to-grow-i-runescape-i- |access-date=2024-03-09 |website=www.gamedeveloper.com |language=en}}</ref> Iddison resigned as CEO in January 2009, replaced by Mark Gerhard, who had been Jagex [[Chief technology officer|CTO]] before his appointment.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Martin |first=Matt |date=2009-01-30 |title=Iddison quits Jagex as Gerhard takes CEO role |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/iddison-quits-jagex-as-gerhard-takes-ceo-role |access-date=2024-03-09 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |language=en}}</ref> Jagex became a member of the United Kingdom's game developer trade body, [[The Independent Games Developers Association|TIGA]], on 15 April 2009. Richard Wilson, TIGA's CEO, described Jagex as "one of the most successful game developers in the world, not just the UK. Jagex has developed extraordinarily popular games and is at the leading edge in terms of online safety and security."<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2009-04-14 |title=Jagex/Tiga deal |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/jagex-tiga-deal-runescape-and-funorb-developer-joins-uk-developer-trade-body |access-date=2024-03-09 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |language=en}}</ref>

In December 2010 [[The Raine Group]] and Spectrum Equity Investors invested in the company, while Insight increased their investment. Andrew Gower, Paul Gower, and Constant Tedder left the board of directors at that time.<ref name=":3" /> In January 2012, Insight increased its stake in Jagex from 35% to 55%, giving it a controlling interest in the company.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2012/01/09/god-save-the-green-deal-makes-jagex-a-us-company/|title=God save the green: Deal makes Jagex a US company|first=Justin|last=Olivetti|publisher=Engadget|date=9 January 2012|access-date=2 April 2012}}</ref> However, in an interview, Gerhard stated that Insight took their 55% stake 13 months prior in December 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2012-01-12-casting-the-runes|title=Casting the Runes|first=Rachel|last=Weber|publisher=gamesindustry.biz|date=12 January 2012|access-date=5 April 2012}}</ref> On 11 September 2014, Mark Gerhard announced his resignation from Jagex by 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.develop-online.net/news/gerhard-leaving-jagex/0197540|title=Gerhard leaving Jagex|access-date=16 September 2014}}</ref> On 2 April 2015, Rod Cousens was appointed CEO of Jagex following his departure from Codemasters.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2015-04-02-rod-cousens-leaves-codemasters-to-become-new-jagex-ceo|title=Exclusive: Rod Cousens leaves Codemasters to become new Jagex CEO|date=2 April 2015 |access-date=2 April 2015}}</ref> In July 2016 Jagex was purchased by Hongtou, a Chinese investment company, which was subsequently acquired by Zhongji Holdings, which later changed its name to Fukong Interactive Entertainment.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://venturebeat.com/2018/04/01/how-jagex-turned-runescape-into-a-living-game/ |title=How Jagex turned RuneScape into a 'living game' |first=Dean |last=Takahashi |date=1 April 2018 |website=[[VentureBeat]]}}</ref> Jagex remained under Hongtou within Fukong's structure until it was sold to Macarthur Fortune Holding, a US-based asset management company, in April 2020 for {{US$|530&nbsp;million|long=no}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-04-28-jagex-sold-for-usd530m |title=Jagex sold for $530m |first=James |last=Batchelor |date=28 April 2020 |website=[[GamesIndustry.biz]]}}</ref>

Phil Mansell became Jagex' CEO in January 2017.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2017-01-27-jagex-names-phil-mansell-as-acting-ceo-following-rod-cousens-departure |title=Jagex names Phil Mansell as acting CEO following Rod Cousens departure |last=Dring |first=Christian |date=27 January 2017 |website=[[GamesIndustry.biz]]}}</ref> [[The Carlyle Group]] acquired a majority stake in the firm in January 2021 from Macarthur in a deal for an undisclosed amount, which ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' estimated was greater than the {{US$|530 million|long=no}} Macarthur had paid for it previously.<ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2021/01/22/buyout-fund-carlyle-swoop-cambridge-runescape-studio-jagex/ | title= Buyout fund Carlyle to swoop for Cambridge RuneScape studio Jagex | first = Matthew | last =Field | date = 22 January 2021 | access-date = 25 January 2021 | work = [[The Daily Telegraph]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.pcgamer.com/runescape-is-now-owned-by-the-worlds-second-biggest-private-equity-firm/ | title = Runescape is now owned by the world's second-largest private equity firm | first = Moline | last = Taylor | date= 25 January 2021 | access-date = 25 January 2021 | work = [[PC Gamer]] }}</ref> After announcement of this, Plutos Sama Holdings filed a legal complaint asserting that the sale of Jagex from Shanghai Hongtou to Macarthur was invalid due to past issues over business dealings with Shanghai Hongtou. Plutos Sama stated in their complaint they had put in a sole bid to acquire Hongtou, including Jagex, around August 2020, but this deal never was complete, but as it should have gone through, they are the rightful owners of Jagex.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-01-25-plutos-sama-holdings-sues-former-jagex-owner-over-acquisition | title = Jagex disputes Plutos Sama's claims of ownership | first1 = Rebekah | last1= Valentine | first2= James |last2= Batchelor | date = 26 January 2021 | access-date = 26 January 2021 | work = [[GamesIndustry.biz]] }}</ref>

In July 2022, Jagex acquired US games company [[Pipeworks Studios]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jagex buys Pipeworks in first acquisition and is "looking to do more" |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2022-07-21-jagex-buys-pipeworks-in-first-acquisiton-and-is-looking-to-do-more |access-date=2022-07-21 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |date=21 July 2022 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-07-21 |title=Jagex acquires Pipeworks Studio to grow in North America |url=https://venturebeat.com/2022/07/21/jagex-acquires-pipeworks-studio-to-grow-in-north-america/ |access-date=2022-07-21 |website=VentureBeat |language=en-US}}</ref> which was later sold to Virtuos Studios.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-01-22 |title=Virtuos acquires three studios to 'significantly augment' development support capabilities |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/virtuos-acquires-three-studios-to-significantly-augment-development-capabilities/ |access-date=2025-01-23 |website=VentureBeat |language=en-US}}</ref> In December 2022, Jagex acquired Gamepires, a Croatian studio that developed the [[open world]] survival game ''[[Scum (video game)|Scum]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-12-14 |title=Jagex acquires Gamepires, studio behind Scum |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/jagex-acquires-gamepires-studio-behind-scum |access-date=2022-12-14 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |language=en}}</ref>

In February 2024, CVC Capital Partners Fund VIII and Haveli Investments purchased Jagex from the Carlyle Group for £910 million.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />

In March 2025, Jon Bellamy succeeded Mansell as CEO of Jagex.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Blake |first=Vikki |date=2025-03-04 |title=Jagex appoints new CEO Jon Bellamy |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/jagex-appoints-new-ceo-jon-bellamy |access-date=2025-03-04 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |language=en}}</ref>

===Charity fundraising===
Since 2004 Jagex has made donations to a number of national and international charities, as well as running charity auctions for signed merchandise. 

Jagex has donated artwork and prizes to the MMO Calendar, which raises funds for [[St. Jude Children's Research Hospital]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bayer |first=Rubi |date=2009-10-24 |title=Fourth annual MMO calendar now on sale |url=https://www.engadget.com/2009-10-24-fourth-annual-mmo-calendar-now-on-sale.html |access-date=2024-03-09 |website=Engadget |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2013, Jagex introduced the "Well of Goodwill" to ''RuneScape'', which allowed players to gift in-game items or wealth to charity, featuring a hi-scores page for the players who donated. For every 10 million gold pieces from the community, Jagex donated $2 to a range of charitable causes.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Martin |first=Gaston |date=October 31, 2013 |title=RuneScape developer turning in-game gold into charity donations |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/runescape-developer-turning-in-game-gold-into-charity-donations/1100-6415885/ |access-date=2024-03-09 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US}}</ref>

In July 2014, Jagex helped raise awareness about the illegal poaching of [[black rhino|black]] and [[white rhino]]s by adding rhinoceros pets and trivia questions to ''RuneScape''. This campaign was partnered with United for Wildlife.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 10, 2014 |title=RuneScape Campaign Highlights Rhino Conservation Challenge |url=https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/5613/RuneScape-Campaign-Highlights-Rhino-Conservation-Challenge.aspx |access-date=2024-03-09 |website=newsroom.wcs.org |language=en-US}}</ref>

Jagex raised over £445,000 in 2020, focusing on mental health and diversity and inclusion.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ltd |first=Jagex |date=2021-05-07 |title=Jagex forges partnerships with three charities |url=https://www.jagex.com/en-GB/news/42yWUj/jagex-forges-partnerships-with-three-charities |access-date=2024-03-09 |website=Jagex |language=en-GB}}</ref>