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Runescape developer Jagex in “non-exclusive, non-binding” talks with a Chinese mining company for $300m buyout

Runescape

Seemingly no longer content with grinding for ore in real life, a Chinese mining company called Shandong Honda are in talks with Runescape developer Jagex for an acquisition in the region of $300m.

Runescape is proof free games can do well, boasting over 200m user accounts.I wonder how that compares to the rest of the games in our list of PC’s best free games.

Shandong Honda is a loss-making business and is looking to transform its fortunes through mergers and acquisitions.

“Jagex has entered into a non-exclusive, non-binding arrangement for a potential acquisition,” a Jagex representative told PCGamesN via email. “The negotiations surrounding the acquisition are ongoing and it remains very much business as usual for the Company.”

The developer also released a statement to the community: “As you may have seen through online news articles, Jagex is getting noticed. The company is getting attention from the east and the biggest market in the world, China, is knocking on our door. Jagex’s shareholders have received offers of interest and have responded positively to an approach from a Chinese company.

“Jagex is in early stage discussions with the firm in question, but we must stress that they may – or may not – materialise into anything. However, should they come to fruition, it would potentially allow us access to the Asian marketplace to a high level.

“What does this mean for the plans we have for our games and our fantastic community? Put simply, our plans, including the launch of NXT, Zeah, Chronicle: RuneScape Legends, God Wars Dungeon 2, and RuneScape: Idle Adventures, remain on track. It is business as usual across Gielinor!”