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| {{ Infobox CVG | |||
| | title = RuneScape | |||
| | image = ] | |||
| | developer = ] | |||
| | publisher = Jagex Ltd. | |||
| | released = ''RuneScape Classic'': ] ]<br />''RuneScape'': ] ] | |||
| | genre = ] | |||
| | modes = ] | |||
| | platforms = ] | |||
| | media = Web interface | |||
| | requirements = Low detail: 64 MB ], 300 MHz ]<br />High detail: 128 MB RAM, 500 MHz CPU | |||
| | input = ], ] | |||
| | website = http://www.runescape.com/ | |||
| }} | |||
| '''''RuneScape''''' is a ]-based ] operated by ] With over nine million active ]<ref> - GameDaily BIZ, ] ]. Retrieved ] ].</ref> and more than 850,000 ], ''RuneScape'' is rated among the most popular ]s in the world.<ref> - ], ] ]. Retrieved ] ].</ref> ''RuneScape'' offers both free and subscription content and is designed to be accessible from any location with an Internet connection and to run in an ordinary ] without straining system resources. | |||
| ''RuneScape'' takes place in the ]-themed realm of ],<ref>, RuneScape.com. Retrieved ] ].</ref> which is divided into the Kingdoms of Misthalin, Asgarnia, and Kandarin, the ] island of Karamja, the Kharidian Desert, the ], and various other areas.<ref> {{Cite visual|url=http://www.runescape.com/worldmap/worldmap.ws|title=RuneScape world map|accessdate=2006-06-15|medium=Image|distributor=Jagex}}</ref> Players can travel throughout the game world on foot, by using ] teleportation spells or devices, or on gnome gliders, mine carts, or other mechanical means of transportation. Each region offers different types of ], materials, and ] to challenge players. | |||
| Players are shown on the screen as customisable ]. They set their own goals and objectives, deciding which of the available activities to pursue. There is no linear path that must be followed. Players can engage in ] with other players or with monsters, complete quests, or increase their experience in any of the available ].<ref name="WSJKnights">{{cite news |first=Nick |last=Wingfield |authorlink= |author= |coauthors= |title= The Knights of Networking; Online Fantasy Game RuneScape Has Dull Graphics, but It's Free, Luring Millions to Play, Mingle|url= |format= |work= Wall Street Journal| publisher= Dow Jones & Company, Inc.|pages= |page=B.1 | date=2006-10-05 | accessdate=2006-10-05 | language=English}} </ref> Players interact with each other through trading, chatting, or playing combative or cooperative mini-games. | |||
| == History and development == | |||
| ] of '''DeviousMUD''', the forerunner to ''RuneScape'', which was never released to the public.]] | |||
| Andrew Gower began work on ''DeviousMUD'', the forerunner to ''RuneScape'', in 1998. The game, which was never publicly released, used ]. In 1999, Gower began to completely rewrite the game. However, the second version was very similar to the first and had the same graphics. This version was released as a public ] version for approximately one week before it was withdrawn.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://deviousmud.tripod.com/|title= DeviousMUD|accessdate=2006-09-11 |accessmonthday= |accessyear= |author= |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year= 2006|month= |format= |work= |publisher= DeviousMUD.tripod.com|pages= |language=English |archiveurl= |archivedate=}}</ref> | |||
| As a ] undergraduate, Gower began work on a complete rewrite with the assistance of his brother, Paul Gower.<ref name="ProquestGower">Dodson, Sean. "." '']'', ], ] 11 Dec. 2003.</ref> The isometric view was replaced by ] and ] ]. The game, renamed ''RuneScape'', was released to the public as a ] version on ] ].<ref name="WhatisJagex">{{cite web|url= http://kbase.runescape.com/viewarticle.ws?article_id=2449|title= What is Jagex?|accessdate= |accessmonthday= 2006-09-10|accessyear= |author= |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year= 2006|month= |format= |work=RuneScape Knowledge Base |publisher= Jagex|pages= |language= English|archiveurl= |archivedate=}}</ref> The game was operated from their parent's house in Nottingham.<ref name="ProquestGower"/> In December 2001, the Gower brothers and Constant Tedder formed ] to take over the business aspects of running ''RuneScape''.<ref name="WhatisJagex"/> | |||
| On ] ], a subscription service was made available to players wishing to gain access to a variety of additional account features. Players paid by credit card, through online services such as ], by cheque or money order, or with their telephone number by paying additional fees to the payment provider.<ref name="MemberBenefits">{{cite web|url= http://runescape.com/lang/en/aff/runescape/members/members.ws|title= Benefits for Members|accessdate= 2006-09-17|accessmonthday= |accessyear= |author= |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year= 2006|month= |format= |work= |publisher= Jagex|pages= |language= English|archiveurl= |archivedate=}}</ref>The most widely used method of payment was by credit card, in which this service cost the player a monthly fee of £3.20, $5.00 US, or €8.40.<!--These amounts are not the applicable exchange rates - they are the actual Jagex fee charged in those currencies; there is no "approximately"; these are the exact amounts - please do not adjust them--> This service significantly changed the focus of the game. | |||
| ] | |||
| As technological advances continued to grow throughout the years, Jagex began to make massive changes to the game. Although they had initially planned a graphical update,<ref> - ''RuneScape Game Updates News'', ] ]. Retrieved ] ].</ref> Jagex developers instead worked to completely rewrite the game engine, introducing a version that consisted entirely of ], with other significant improvements. While in development, this version was called ''RuneScape 2'', although it has become simply ''RuneScape'', with the original version being called ''RuneScape Classic'' to differentiate between them. A beta version was made available to paying members on ] ], and the finished version was launched on ] ].<ref> - ''RuneScape'' Game Updates News. Retrieved ] ]</ref> On ] ], playing ''RuneScape Classic'' was restricted to paying members who had recently played the classic version. All other ''RuneScape Classic'' accounts were permanently banned and access for the creation of new accounts was removed from the servers.<ref> - ''RuneScape'' Customer Support News, ] ]. Retrieved ] ]</ref> | |||
| On ] ], Jagex upgraded ''RuneScape's'' game engine, primarily as a back-end upgrade rather than a visible graphical boost.<ref> - ''RuneScape'' Game Updates News. ] ].</ref> In particular, the amount of memory required to run ''RuneScape'' was significantly reduced, allowing the game to be expanded and improved without increasing the load time for most players. This is the current version of ''RuneScape'' being promoted by Jagex, and is the version most people associate with the word ''RuneScape''. | |||
| === Servers === | |||
| ] | |||
| Over 130 ''RuneScape'' servers, numbered and referred to as "worlds" by players, are located throughout the world. The servers are ], ], and ] and are located in the ] (including both ''RuneScape Classic'' servers), the ], ], the ], ], ], and ].<ref name="countries" /> Each of the ''RuneScape'' servers has a capacity of 2,000 players, allowing over 260,000 simultaneous players. The two ''RuneScape Classic'' servers are each limited to 1,250 players, allowing for 2,500 simultaneous users playing the game at any given time.<ref name="countries">{{ cite web | url = http://news.runescape.com/lang/en/aff/runescape/newsitem.ws?id=664 | title = Game-world locations renamed | publisher = RuneScape'' Technical News | date = ] ] | accessdate = 2006-11-21 }}</ref> | |||
| === Graphics === | |||
| ''RuneScape'' can be run with high or low-detail graphics; high-detail mode enhances texture and design, whereas low-detail provides a cleaner look and can reduce ] on older or less powerful computers. In February ], Jagex began the process of updating the graphical images in the ''RuneScape'' cities and the wilderness, planning ultimately to improve the graphics of the entire free area of ''RuneScape'' without causing more lag for people using ] Internet connections.<ref> ''RuneScape'' Game Updates News, ] ]. Retrieved ] ]</ref> | |||
| ''RuneScape'' places emphasis on allowing players the ability to customise their characters by supplying a wide choice in character models. Unlike many games in the genre, player characters must be human; however, players can choose their appearance from a wide range of hairstyles, body types, facial features, clothing options, and gender.<ref> {{cite web |url= http://kbase.runescape.com/lang/en/aff/runescape/viewarticle.ws?article_id=2058|title=How do I get started? |accessdate= 2006-10-09|author= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year= 2006|month= |format= |work=RuneScape Knowledge Base |publisher= Jagex|pages= |language=English |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}</ref> | |||
| On-screen appearance is further optimised by wearing or wielding items, with each different item having a unique image. Standard weapons of the same class, such as swords, use the same set of animations in combat; however, some special weapons have their own, distinctive animations that differ completely from those of other weapons in their category. | |||
| A player's appearance can be radically changed with special equipment and during particular events. Players can be transformed by game characters or their surroundings into frogs, mushrooms, or small animals. Players using certain items can transform themselves into piles of stone, eggs, or monkeys, allowing them to avoid negative effects or gaining them access to otherwise unreachable places. Such "morphs" are temporary, and players cannot perform certain activities that normally can be done in human form. | |||
| Each activity performed by a player has its own distinctive animation, from walking down a city street to planting a seed in a ] plot to sewing leather into a pair of gloves. Players can also express particular emotions whenever they choose through the use of "emotes". New players start with most of the available emotes, but others must be earned from ], ], or holiday events. | |||
| === Advertising === | |||
| To support ''RuneScape's'' free content, advertisements are displayed above the playing screen on the free-player servers. On ] ], Jagex signed an exclusive marketing and distribution contract with ] Games,<ref name="gamedailyadvertising">{{cite news | title = GameDAILY: WildTangent Explores RuneScape | language = English | publisher = CBS SportsLine | date = 2006-07-17 | url = http://sportsline.com/games/story/9558992 | accessdate = 2006-08-08 }}</ref> which allows WildTangent to handle advertising in and around ''RuneScape'' in the United States. The deal also allows WildTangent to distribute ''RuneScape'' through the WildTangent Games Network,<ref name = gamedailyadvertising /> a distribution channel reaching over 20 million consumer PCs.<ref>{{ cite news | title = WildTangent Sells Ads in Runescape Online Game | language = English | publisher = MediaBuyerPlanner | date = 2006-07-13 | url = http://www.mediabuyerplanner.com/2006/07/13/wildtangent_sells_ads_in_runesc/ | accessdate = 2006-08-08 }}</ref> WildTangent has stressed that this agreement will not change the way ''RuneScape'' is presented, and that they plan to make the presence of the advertisements, vital to ''RuneScape'', as non-invasive as possible. Jagex moderators have stated that there will be no ''in-game'' advertisements.<ref name = gamedailyadvertising /> Since computer users may use advertisement blockers which may discourage advertisers, Jagex introduced a rule that prohibits players from blocking the advertisements in the free game.<ref>{{cite news | title = Runescape:Rules of Conduct:Rule 15-Advert Blocking | work = RuneScape Knowledge Base | language = English | publisher = Jagex | date = 2006 | url = http://kbase.runescape.com/lang/en/aff/runescape/viewarticle.ws?article_id=2396 | accessdate = 2006-08-11 }}</ref> | |||
| == Membership == | |||
| Membership is a ] service that gives access to additional features for those who choose it. Membership allows players to explore more of Gielinor beyond the free area of the map. This subscription adds more than twice the land and offers an extensive amount of additional content. Other benefits include more items, the ability to store additional items, weekly game updates, posting access in the official forums, and priority customer support. Game updates are mainly limited to paying members unless the update has a direct influence on a free aspect of the game. | |||
| == Community == | |||
| Players of ''RuneScape'' represent a wide range of nationalities and ages; however, because the game is currently available only in ], most players speak English to some extent. Players who speak languages other than English tend to gravitate to worlds populated by other players who speak the same language; some worlds have a greater percentage of players who speak ], ], ], ], or other languages. It is not uncommon, however, to see many languages on the chat screens throughout ''RuneScape''. According to Constant Tedder, the company is starting to focus on translating ''RuneScape'' into different European languages, especially German.<ref name="WSJKnights"> </ref> | |||
| A group of official ] created entirely by Jagex programmers is available to players on the ''RuneScape'' website. By accessing the forums, paying members are able to participate in game discussions, play player-made forum games, make arrangements to buy or sell items, and interact with the community. Free players can read the forums but are unable to post messages. The ''RuneScape'' forums are quite diverse, allowing thousands of players to access them at any given time. Each forum has its own specific list of rules enforced by forum ].<ref>{{ cite web |url=http://forum.runescape.com/lang/en/aff/runescape/codeofconduct.ws |title=RuneScape Forums: Code of Conduct |accessdate= 2006-10-14|author= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year=2006 |month= |format= |work=RuneScape Forums |publisher=Jagex |pages= |language=English |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }} </ref> | |||
| Players can submit questions to any ] in the game. Selected letters are answered in an update called ''Postbag from The Hedge'' at the end of each month. This feature of the site started on ] ] and has since become one of the most accessed pages of the site. From ] ] through ] ], players could submit questions to the ''RuneScape'' gods; however, the gods will no longer communicate so directly with mortal beings.<ref> - Jagex. Retrieved ] ].</ref> | |||
| Players can submit their own original ''Runescape'' related artwork, a select few of which are displayed in a gallery on the ''RuneScape'' website. Media featured have included sculpture, comics, drawings, and paintings. | |||
| Many ] have been established for ''RuneScape'', none of which are supported or recognized by Jagex. In order to provide players with an alternative, official site to get the information they want or need, Jagex introduced the Knowledge Base.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://news.runescape.com/lang/en/aff/runescape/newsitem.ws?id=556|title=New Improved Game Guide Released! |accessdate= 2006|author= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= 2006-03-13|year= |month= |format= |work= RuneScape Website News|publisher=Jagex |pages= |language=English |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}</ref> | |||
| == Critical review == | |||
| ], reporting on a study by ], states that playing ''RuneScape'' as much as working on homework is not necessarily a bad thing. It can instruct players about working hard to achieve goals and that the nature of most games, including ''RuneScape'', can teach teenagers vital skills as they enter the labour market.<ref name="bbcallworknoplay">{{cite news | last = | first = | coauthors = | title = How gaming is all work and no play | work = | pages = | language = English | publisher = BBC News | date = 2006-03-14 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4774534.stm | accessdate = 2006-08-07 }}</ref> In December 2003, ] described ''RuneScape'' as one of the fastest growing out of all of the ]s, having a userbase half again that of ], (even if it is easier due to running in a web browser) and as "the best British offering."<ref name="Guardianrunetomove">{{cite news | last = | first = | coauthors = | title = Rune to move. | work = | pages = | language = English | publisher = Guardian Unlimited | date = 2003-12-11 | url = http://technology.guardian.co.uk/online/story/0,3605,1103882,00.html | accessdate = 2006-08-08}}</ref> ''Just RPG'' states that "It's rare for something that's free to come with no strings attached, and is actually fun to boot", but also found that some elements of the ] system "can get really annoying". The review site summarised the game with "In short, the game of Runescape is a fun, addictive game, and while the graphics may not be perfect, for a game written in Java, they aren't bad. The ] are varied, the community is alright, and it'll eat up your time if you aren't careful", giving it a score of 83%.<ref>{{cite news | last = Gasperazzo | first = Wendy | coauthors = | title = Runescape | work = | pages = | language = English | publisher = Just RPG | |||
| | date = 2006 | url = http://www.just-rpg.com/default.asp?pid=1209 | accessdate = 2006-08-08 }} | |||
| </ref> The ] Buzz Log states that "while it may not be as easy on the eyes as some other popular online RPG games, like ], ], or ''EverQuest'', RuneScape is still a lot better way to kill time than pushing around cells in a ]."<ref>{{cite news | last = Hurd | first = Gordon | coauthors = | title = The Rundown on Runescape | work = | pages = | language = English | publisher = Yahoo Buzz Log | |||
| | date = 2006-05-08 | url = http://buzz.yahoo.com/buzzlog/9096/the-rundown-on-runescape| accessdate = 2006-08-08 }}</ref> ] UK in December 2003; states that while the "traditional ] values of ]ing, slaying ]s and developing your character in a familiar ] setting" won't "have the big boys trembling in their +2 Boots of Subscriber Gathering", this is offset by the game's accessibility through a web browser, "compounded by a version of the game that allows free adventuring before players upgrade to a members account", describing the game as "an unsurprising success".<ref>{{cite news | last = Sutherns | first = Mark | coauthors = | title = Runescape 2: browser-based Goblin basher goes 3D. | work = ] UK, issue 129| pages = 145 | language = English | publisher = ] | date = 2003-12 | url = | accessdate = }}</ref> | |||
| === Criticism and response === | |||
| To combat ] and the use of ]s, Jagex has taken measures such as introducing random events that require immediate human response and providing safety warnings in the player trading system. In response to automated scripts, Jagex banned over 20,000 accounts through a macro detection system.<ref> - ''RuneScape'' Customer Support News ] ]. Retrieved ] ].</ref> ''RuneScape'' chat filters have the ability to censor words and letter combinations that may be offensive to players. Players are often able to use intentional misspellings, ], or symbols to bypass the filter. To combat this, changes are continually being made by Jagex to the filters to block offensive language and to prevent non-offensive words from being accidentally blocked,<ref> - ''RuneScape'' Customer Support News ] ]. Retrieved ] ]</ref> most of which are successful in alleviating some of the problems. | |||
| Business aspects of the ''RuneScape'' organization have fallen under criticism. ''RuneScape'' has been criticised for not having enough free content or not updating the free content often enough. While ''RuneScape'' does have a considerable amount of free content, most updates and features for high-level players are limited to paying members.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.runescape.com/lang/en/aff/runescape/members/members.ws|title= RuneScape:Benefits for Members |accessdate= 2006-08-09|accessmonthday= |accessyear= |author= Jagex|last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year= 2006|month= |format= |work= |publisher= Jagex|pages= |language= English|archiveurl= |archivedate=}}</ref> Jagex have increased the size of their customer support team and has expanded the online Knowledge Base to alleviate customer service problems.<ref> - RuneScape.com, ] ]. Retrieved ] ].</ref> | |||
| == References == | |||
| {{reflist|2}} | |||
| ==External links== | |||
| {{Portal}} | |||
| * - The official ''RuneScape'' website | |||
| * - The official Jagex site | |||
| * - The official ''RuneScape'' guide | |||
| * - The official ''RuneScape'' forums | |||
| ; Wiki | |||
| * ] - A collection of articles primarily dedicated towards ''RuneScape'' | |||
| ; Fansites with the most traffic | |||
| * | |||
| * | |||
| <!--Per Misplaced Pages policy, ***only*** the highest-traffic fan site to be linked. As RuneHQ and Rune Tips are the most popular (per Alexa ranking), and they are too close too each other to make a call as to which is most popular, they have been added but ***no more*** links may be added. Please see the talk page before changing this link. If you need more information on RuneScape, a Google search should suffice.--> | |||
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