Jump to content

RuneScape

Page semi-protected
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Runescape combat)
For the 2013 version of RuneScape, see Old School RuneScape.

RuneScape
Developer(s)Jagex
Publisher(s)Jagex
Designer(s)
Composer(s)
Platform(s)
Release4 January 2001[1]
Genre(s)Massively multiplayer online role-playing game
Mode(s)Multiplayer

RuneScape is a fantasy massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) developed and published by Jagex, released in January 2001. RuneScape was originally a browser game built with the Java programming language; it was largely replaced by a standalone C++ client in 2016. The game has had over 300 million accounts created and was recognised by the Guinness World Records as the largest and most-updated free MMORPG.[2]

RuneScape takes place in the world of Gielinor, a medieval fantasy realm divided into different kingdoms, regions, and cities.[3][4] Players can travel throughout Gielinor via a number of methods including on foot, magical spells, or charter ships.[5] Each region offers different types of monsters, resources, and quests to challenge players. The game's fictional universe has been explored through a tie-in video game on another of its maker's websites, FunOrb, Armies of Gielinor,[6] and the novels Betrayal at Falador,[7] Return to Canifis,[8] and Legacy of Blood.[9]

Players are represented in the game with customisable avatars. RuneScape does not follow a linear storyline; rather, players set their own goals and objectives. Players can choose to fight non-player character (NPC) monsters, complete quests, or increase their experience in the available skills. Players interact with each other through trading, chatting, or by participating in mini-games and activities, some of which are competitive or combative in nature, while others require cooperative or collaborative play.

The first public version of RuneScape was released in January 2001 in beta form, with Jagex as its copyright holder being formed later that year. In 2004, as the game's popularity grew, the game engine was rewritten and released as RuneScape 2,[10] with the original version of the game being renamed RuneScape Classic. The third iteration of the game, known as RuneScape 3, was released in July 2013.[11] Old School RuneScape, a separate, older version of the game dating from August 2007, was released in February 2013, and is maintained alongside the original client. It was announced that mobile ports of both versions of RuneScape would be released for Android and iOS devices in 2018.[12][13] RuneScape was released on Steam on 14 October 2020.[14]

Gameplay

A screenshot of the game interface from RuneScape in 2012

Players begin in a secluded area called Tutorial Island, where they are taken through a tutorial, a set path where they learn the most basic skills in RuneScape.[15][16] After the tutorial, players have access to tutors and advisors located in the towns they explore, who can give players appropriate information about their respective skills.[17] Originally players were teleported to the town of Lumbridge, however in recent updates, Burthorpe is the main starting area.[18] Other main cities include Varrock, Falador, Ardougne (and West Ardougne), and smaller settlements.[19][20][21]

Players set their own goals and objectives as they play the game. They can train their in-game skills, engage non-player character (NPC) monsters and other players in combat and complete quests at their discretion.[22] Players interact with each other through trading, chatting or by participating in mini-games.

Skills

There are 29 skills in RuneScape, 17 skills available to free-to-play players and an additional 12 for members, which enable players to perform various activities allowing for interaction with NPCs, the environment and other players. Players gain experience points in a skill when they use it. For example, mining an ore trains the mining skill, and when the player accumulates enough experience points in the skill, their character will "level up".[23] As a skill level rises, the ability to retrieve better raw materials and produce better products increases, as does the experience awarded if the player uses new abilities. The total skill level of a player partly symbolises the player's status in the game and subscribers with a high total level can appear on the high scores.[24] Upon reaching the highest available level in a skill, members may buy a special cape to symbolise their achievement.[25]

Some skills, such as woodcutting and fishing, enable the player to collect raw materials that can be processed into usable items for other skills, such as fletching and cooking respectively. The items created can be used by the player or sold to shops and other players. Other skills allow players to kill certain NPCs, build their own houses, move around the map with greater ease, steal from various NPCs, market stalls and chests located in-game, light fires, cook their own food, create their own potions, craft runestones and weapons, plant their own plants, hunt NPC animals, raid dungeons, and summon familiars to assist in combat and training skills.[26]

Combat

RuneScape features a semi-real-time combat system. Combat is an important aspect of the game, allowing players to defeat monsters to obtain dropped items or to complete quests. A combat level is an indicator of how powerful a player or NPC is in combat. For players, it is determined by applying a mathematical formula to their combat skills.[27] Players engage in combat by clicking on the enemy they want their character to attack and will automatically continue fighting until they kill their opponent, die, or retreat from the fight. Most of the game's weapons are medieval or fantastical in nature, and feature different strengths and weaknesses. Players may summon a familiar to assist with combat,[28] use special attacks called "abilities" to deal additional damage,[29] and use potions and the Prayer skill to boost their combat prowess.

Combat is subdivided into four main categories: melee, magic, ranged and necromancy. Melee attacks are close range,[30] magic attacks focus on using runestones to cast spells,[31] ranged attacks use projectile weapons like arrows, darts or throwing knives,[32] and necromancy combines direct attacks with the summoning of undead combatants to fight alongside the player. The first three combat types make up a "Combat Triangle", which governs effectiveness of styles in a rock-paper-scissors fashion; melee beats ranged, ranged beats magic, magic beats melee, and each style is neutral to itself.[33] Necromancy is a standalone method of combat and is neutral to the other styles.[citation needed] The advantages and disadvantages of the combat triangle apply to both NPCs and player opponents. Players are not required to choose a character class nor are they bound to a specific category of combat. They may freely change between or combine the styles of combat by switching weapons and armour.[citation needed]

Combat is governed by a life points system. Every combatant has a maximum capacity of life points, and dies when their health is depleted to 0. Lost life points can be recovered by consuming certain food or drinks, or casting abilities. Players who die reappear at a respawn point of their choice with their life and skill points restored; however, they drop all but three chosen items, as well as certain common items.[27][34] Dying spawns a gravestone that will hold all of the player's items and will last for an allotted time; however, there are situations in which all items will be lost upon death. If the player does not return in time, the grave will collapse and their items will disappear.[27][34]

In June 2012 players were invited to beta-test a new combat system named "Evolution of Combat",[35] which included fundamental changes such as re-balancing the Combat Triangle to avoid favouring melee attacks,[36] and replacing special weapon attacks with abilities that produce a range of effects when activated. The system was released on the live game on 20 November 2012.[29] Various polls were also added for players to vote on in game that would determine the result of future content development,[37] some of which would dictate the development of the improved combat system.[38][39] A beta for a separate combat system dubbed "Legacy Mode" was opened to players on 16 June 2014,[40] before being introduced to the live game on 14 July. Legacy Mode allows players to switch to the combat system and interface from prior to June 2012 instead of the Evolution of Combat system.[41]

Player versus player combat

Player versus player combat (PvP) can be performed in specific controlled mini-games and in an area known as the Wilderness. The Duel Arena allows players to stake money and items,[42] while other PvP games offer their own rewards. In the Wilderness, players can engage in combat provided that their combat levels fall within a certain range of each other, and if a player kills their opponent they will be able to claim their opponent's items as a reward.[43]

Before December 2007, players went to the Wilderness to fight other players within a certain combat level range, hoping to kill them and gain their items.[44] In December 2007, the Wilderness was altered to prevent players from transferring in-game items for real-world currency.[45] PvP combat was removed from the Wilderness and temporarily restricted to new mini-games named Bounty Hunter and Clan Wars.[46] Bounty Hunter was replaced by special Bounty Worlds on 6 May 2009 in which players were confined to the Wilderness and could be assigned specific targets to kill.[47] "PvP Worlds" were introduced on 15 October 2008 where players could fight almost anywhere in Gielinor,[48] but these and "Bounty Worlds" were removed when PvP combat in the Wilderness was restored on 1 February 2011.[49]

Non-player interaction

Non-player characters (NPCs) populate the realm of Gielinor. Some NPCs, such as shopkeepers and some characters in quests, are unavailable for combat. However, most NPCs can be attacked and these are generally referred to as monsters. Monsters range from common, low-level creatures, such as chickens and goblins, to unique and often much more powerful monsters, such as the Queen Black Dragon, Telos, and Vorago.[50]

Most monsters have their own strengths and weaknesses, notable exceptions being certain bosses, which have no specific weaknesses. Demons, for example, have a weak defence against ranged attacks, while metal dragons have extremely high defence against ranged. The weakness of an individual monster is displayed in an interface above its model, along with its combat level and lifepoints.[citation needed]

Monsters may either be aggressive or non-aggressive. Non-aggressive monsters ignore players unless attacked, while aggressive monsters may attack all players or may only attack players with combat levels below a specified level, depending on the circumstances or location. This can make certain areas throughout Gielinor dangerous or inconvenient to players with lower combat levels.[50]

Player interaction

Players can interact with each other through trading, chatting, or by participating in mini-games and activities, some of which are competitive or combative in nature, while others require cooperative or collaborative play. Players can trade items and gold coins with each other, either through a face-to-face trade,[51] or by using a large automated marketplace known as the Grand Exchange.[52]

The chat system enables players to communicate with each other. Public Chat broadcasts text to players in the local area on one server, both by text appearing above the speaker's head and in the message box. Friends Chat broadcasts text in the message box only to certain players tuned into a specific channel, who can be available on any RuneScape world. Each Friends Chat channel has an owner, who can assign different ranks to individual players; players' ranks dictate their ability to perform administrative tasks within the channel. Clan Chat allows members of a clan to communicate with each other through a separate channel.[53] Quick Chat allows players to choose from a list of predetermined messages to send as Public Chat, Clan Chat, or Friends Chat.[54]

RuneScape features independent mini-games, although most are only available to paying members. Mini-games take place in certain areas and normally involve specific in-game skills, and usually require players to cooperate or to compete with each other. Examples of these mini-games include Castle Wars, which is similar to the real-life game Capture the Flag, Pest Control, a highly combat-focused mini-game, and Fist of Guthix, where one player (the hunter) tries to stop another player (the hunted) from collecting charges into a magical stone.[55]

Quests

Quests are series of tasks with a storyline that players can choose to complete. These often have requirements including minimum levels in certain skills, combat levels, quest points and/or the completion of other quests. Players receive various rewards for completion of quests, including money, unique items, access to new areas, quest points and/or increases in skill experience. Some quests require players to work together, and many require players to engage in challenging combat. Quests are grouped into categories based on requirements and difficulty.[56] Once a player completes all quests in the game, an achievement item known as the "Quest Point Cape" can be claimed.[25] New quests are released periodically.

Development

Release timeline
2001RuneScape Classic
2002–2003
2004RuneScape 2
2005–2007
2008RuneScape High Detail
2009–2012
2013Old School RuneScape
RuneScape 3

Andrew Gower developed RuneScape with the assistance of his brother Paul Gower.[57] It was originally conceived as a text-based MUD, but graphics were incorporated early in development, adding it to the ranks of what were then known as "graphical MUDs".[58][59] The first public version of the game used a mixture of three-dimensional and two-dimensional sprites. It was released as a beta version on 4 January 2001, and originally operated out of their parents' house in Nottingham.[57] In December 2001, the Gower brothers, along with Constant Tedder, formed Jagex to take over the business aspects of running RuneScape.[60] Among its early innovations Jagex developed an interpreted domain-specific scripting language called RuneScript, which is used by RuneScape's server for event handling.[61] In February 2002, a monthly membership service was introduced, allowing access to additional features including new areas, quests, and items not available to free users.[62]

Ranged combat in RuneScape Classic

As the game gained more users, Jagex began planning major changes.[63] The developers rewrote the game engine, producing a new version of the game with entirely three-dimensional graphics called RuneScape 2. A beta version of RuneScape 2 was released to paying members for a testing period beginning on 1 December 2003, and ending in March 2004.[62] Upon its official release, RuneScape 2 was renamed simply RuneScape, while the older version of the game was kept online under the name RuneScape Classic. On 12 January 2006, Jagex banned more than 5,000 Classic accounts for cheating. To prevent further cheating, Classic was closed to new accounts and access was restricted to accounts who had played it at least once between 3 August 2005 and 12 January 2006.[64] Additional reopenings took place in November 2009, June 2010 and September 2011.[65][66][67]

To support RuneScape's free content, advertisements appear on a banner above the playing screen on the free-to-play servers. Since computer users may use advertisement blockers, which may discourage advertisers, Jagex introduced a rule that prohibits players from blocking these advertisements.[68] On 13 July 2006, Jagex signed an exclusive marketing and distribution contract with WildTangent Games,[69] which granted WildTangent the right to handle advertising in and around RuneScape in the United States, and to distribute RuneScape through the WildTangent Games Network,[69] reaching over 20 million consumer PCs.[70]

On 16 May 2006, Jagex upgraded RuneScape's game engine, improving the game's loading times and reducing its memory requirements.[71] On 1 July 2008, Jagex released a beta of their "High Detail" mode for members, which was extended to free players two weeks later.[72] Before the launch, Jagex stated that it would be revealed at the 2008 E3 trade show.[73]

On 14 February 2007, a German translation of RuneScape was introduced,[74] followed by a French translation on 11 December 2008,[75] Brazilian Portuguese on 24 July 2009,[76] and Latin American Spanish on 25 April 2013.[77] In an interview in May 2008, former Jagex CEO Geoff Iddison stated that, "We do plan to go East with [RuneScape] to the Asian market and the Eastern European market too" [...] "RuneScape is not for Japan, but it could work well in Malaysia for example. And where's India in all this? I think RuneScape is a game that would be adopted in the English-speaking Indian world and the local-speaking Indian world. We're looking at all those markets individually."[78] RuneScape later launched in India through the gaming portal Zapak on 8 October 2009,[79] and in France and Germany through Bigpoint Games on 27 May 2010.[80]

On 28 February 2012, an in-game feature was introduced called the "Squeal of Fortune" that allowed players to win items on a daily basis by spinning the wheel.[81] On 2 April 2012, it became possible for players to spend real-world currency in exchange for additional spins, introducing a form of microtransaction to the game.[82] Jagex CEO Mark Gerhard had previously described microtransactions as "a stealth tax", and the update provoked complaints from players who believed they had been "betrayed" by the change.[83] In July 2012, Jagex released Solomon's General Store, making it possible to spend real currency in exchange for "RuneCoins" that could be spent on cosmetic rewards in the game.[84] On 29 August 2012, Gerhard released a response to this controversy, describing these microtransactions as "[having] a significant role in ensuring that we can continue to support, develop and grow the game for many more years to come." He states that while these decisions are "not necessarily popular", they are made with the future of RuneScape in mind.[85] On 4 February 2014, the Squeal of Fortune was replaced with Treasure Hunter. Rather than spinning a wheel for prizes, players are given keys which are used to open a chest of their choosing.[86] On 26 March 2014, Gerhard reiterated his stance on microtransactions and their importance in updating RuneScape, and announced a partnership with Supersonic ads, allowing players to earn RuneCoins by watching advertisements or sampling products.[87]

On 30 August 2012, Gerhard announced that an HTML5 version of RuneScape was in development that would allow the game to be played on "your favourite tablets, platforms and even smart TVs."[88] A video released on 22 March 2013 stated that the new version would be called RuneScape 3 and would use WebGL, and would include a fully customisable user interface and improved audio.[89][90] A closed beta of the HTML5 version went live on 17 April 2013, followed by a separate alpha version of the new interface on 24 April.[91] RuneScape 3 was released on 22 July 2013.[11]

At RuneFest 2014, Jagex announced that they were developing a new client to replace the HTML5 version, which had never been released from beta due to performance issues. The new client, named NXT, would include improvements to loading times, new graphical effects and better performance.[92] Closed betas took place on 19–22 February[93] and 18–21 March 2016,[94] followed by a public release on 18 April 2016.[95]

On 23 May 2018, it was announced that due to constantly accumulating bugs and a game engine that has become incompatible with modern support tools of the company, RuneScape Classic servers would be permanently closed on 6 August 2018.[96][97] RuneScape was released on Steam on 14 October 2020.[14]

Graphics and audio

RuneScape can be run with varying levels of graphical detail. High-detail graphics enhance texture and design, while low-detail graphics provide a cleaner look and can reduce lag on less powerful computers. RuneScape uses a graphics engine called "RuneTek 5", which provides support for multiple graphics platforms such as DirectX, OpenGL and video game consoles, as well as graphical effects such as sky boxes, bloom lighting[98][99] and Z-buffering.[100] The high-detail version incorporates hardware acceleration and can be rendered using either Java OpenGL or DirectX.[101][102]

RuneScape features a character-customisation system. Player characters are human; however, players may choose the gender, hairstyle, facial hair, skin colour, and clothing options.[15] Appearance is further complemented by wearing or wielding items. Players can express emotions through the use of specialised animations called emotes, some of which are standard and others earned through gameplay or released during holiday events.[103]

RuneScape has original music and ambient soundscapes. The music was designed to define the underlying cultures of the various locations accessible, and ambient sounds, such as the cry of seagulls flying over the ocean, occur in logical places.[104] The game also incorporates voice acting in certain areas and situations.[62] The RuneScape 3 update included orchestral music recorded in Bratislava, Slovakia, and was scored by James Hannigan.[90]

Servers

As of November 2011, there were 139 English RuneScape servers located throughout the world, which are numbered and referred to as "worlds" by players and by Jagex.[105] They are located in the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, the Netherlands, Australia, Sweden, Finland, Belgium, Ireland, Norway, Denmark, New Zealand, Mexico, France, Lithuania, and India.[106][107] Servers are moved or added as the need arises.[108]

Each RuneScape server allows up to 2,000 players to log in simultaneously,[109] allowing a maximum capacity of more than 278,000 players. The servers are divided into free servers which are available for all players, and servers which are reserved for paying members. Some servers are given activity labels, allowing players performing tasks that require or desire group participation to group together.[110]

Old School RuneScape

Main article: Old School RuneScape

In February 2013, a poll was opened allowing players to decide whether Jagex should open a separate incarnation of RuneScape from August 2007.[111] Old School RuneScape was opened to paying subscribers on 22 February 2013 after the poll received 50,000 votes,[112] and a free-to-play version was later released on 19 February 2015.[113] It was originally created as an exact copy of RuneScape from August 2007 and receives regular content additions. Old School RuneScape is entirely community based; for any proposed update or idea to pass into the game, it needs at least 75% of the community to vote 'Yes' for it, and if it does not pass it will either be dropped or reconstructed and re-polled so that the players may find the update more acceptable.[114] On 17 July 2017, Jagex announced a mobile port of Old School RuneScape, which was released in 2018.[115]

DarkScape

On 16 September 2015 Jagex released DarkScape, a separate version of RuneScape which featured open-world player versus player combat. DarkScape was originally released with most of RuneScape's content, but received separate content updates. DarkScape was completely free to play, with some additional benefits reserved for paying subscribers.[116] DarkScape closed on 28 March 2016 due to lack of interest.[117]

Community

A set of forums are provided by Jagex on the RuneScape website. On the forums, players are able to participate in game discussions, arrange to buy or sell items, post suggestions for game improvements, vote in polls, and otherwise interact with the community. A user can set an avatar, have a separate display name[118][119] and set an automatic signature. User profiles display the recent posts a user has made along with the option to disable smileys. The privilege of posting on the forums is limited to paying members, as well as free players with a total level exceeding 350.[120]

Between 24 September 2002 and 9 December 2004, players could submit questions via e-mail to the RuneScape gods, which were published in the form of letters.[121] On 26 September 2005, a new feature known as Postbag from the Hedge was introduced, where players can submit questions via e-mail to a non-player character in the game.[122] Players can also submit original RuneScape related artwork (such as sculptures, comics, drawings and paintings), some of which is displayed in a gallery on the RuneScape website.[123]

During various holidays, including Easter, Halloween and Christmas, Jagex hosts a holiday event in a specific location in Gielinor. Players who successfully complete the required tasks during the event receive a reward such as an item or an emote, allowing the player character to perform a gesture conveying an emotion.[124] Holiday items released prior to 2002 are tradeable among players, and due to their rarity are worth significant amounts of money on the player market.[125] Holiday items after Christmas 2002 are untradeable and limited to one per player and can be retrieved if lost.[124]

Various RuneScape fansites have been established by players, which are a source of information about the game.[126] For account security reasons, Jagex discourages the discussion of fansites within the game or the forums – and a rule specifically prohibits sharing web addresses.[127] A major fansite has criticised Jagex for not recognising fansites' contributions to the development of its game.[128] However, as a result of announcements made in 2009, Jagex promised to increase communication with fansites.[129]

On 28 July 2014, Twitch functionality was integrated into the game, allowing players to stream their gameplay or view other streams from within the game.[130]

Rules and cheating

Jagex has employed rules for player conduct, such as rules against offensive language, scamming, and bug abuse.[131] To enforce the rules, an in-game feature exists that allows a player to send a report to Jagex if they notice another player breaking a rule.[132] RuneScape also uses four types of moderators: Jagex Moderators, who are Jagex employees; Local Moderators, who are employees of Jagex's partners in certain territories; Player Moderators, who are trusted players that enforce the rules within the game; and Forum Moderators, who are trusted players who monitor the game forums.[133] Players who repeatedly break the rules may be temporarily or permanently banned from playing the game.[132]

There are also rules prohibiting the use of third-party software to play the game, known as "macroing" or "botting", and the sale of game items for real money through real-world trading. In an attempt to stop cheating, Jagex made direct interaction with the client difficult, established rules against the practice,[134] and introduced random events that required player input to complete.[135] In response to continued gold farming, Jagex issued a statement condemning real-world trading, stating that they were seizing billions of gold and banning thousands of accounts every week for cheating, and promising to increase their efforts to prevent real-world trading in the game.[136]

From October 2007 to December 2007, Jagex began releasing a series of updates to restrict unbalanced trades. The updates limited the value of items staked in duels, removed player-versus-player combat from the Wilderness, made valuable player drops invisible to other players, introduced gravestones for the items of dead players, instituted systems for assisting players with skills and sharing loot among groups of players, and established the Grand Exchange, a sharemarket-like trade system for RuneScape goods. Collectively, these changes were designed to make it extremely difficult for real-world traders to distribute gold and items to players.[45] These features were restored on 1 February 2011 following a referendum among players in December 2010 on whether or not to do so.[49][137]

On 25 October 2011, Jagex released an anti-bot system[138] code-named the 'ClusterFlutterer', as part of a game update intended to permanently prevent "reflection" bots from working. The release of this was nicknamed the "Bot Nuke", and was estimated to have banned 98% of the accounts that were using bots, eventually resulting in 7.7 million account bans.[62] From 26 September 2012 until its removal on 20 August 2018,[139] accounts that were banned for using bots were sent to an isolated area named "Botany Bay" to be given an ultimate punishment as decided by players.[140]

On 25 September 2013, Jagex introduced bonds to the game, in-game items that can be purchased using real currency then traded with other players or exchanged for membership, RuneCoins or additional spins on the game's Squeal of Fortune. Bonds were introduced to allow players to exchange real currency for in-game benefits legitimately, a move described by CEO Mark Gerhard as "essential for the future of RuneScape".[141] One week later, Jagex reported that the amount of in-game coins brought in by gold farmers was down by 81%; real-world trading was down by 61% and the wealth of those trades was down by 63%.[142]

Falador Massacre

The Falador Massacre was a historic bug that occurred on 6 June 2006.[143] The bug caused several players to retain the ability to attack other players after leaving a designated PvP location.[144] Ordinarily, players are only allowed to attack other players in player-owned houses, minigames, or in the Wilderness. According to a statement made by a Jagex employee, the bug was caused by insufficient testing of an update that saw the release of a new game skill, Construction, wherein players could create their own houses in which PvP combat could take place.

Although the bug was considered quite negative at the time of occurrence, Jagex has since recognized it as a historic event in the franchise, and has created in-game reenactments in both RuneScape[145] and Old School RuneScape.[146][147] On 6 June 2016, Jagex created two unique and isolated game servers (worlds 111 for RS3 and 666 for OSRS, commemorating 6/6/06)[148][149] wherein PvP was enabled and players could attack an NPC named after "Durial321", one of the more well known players to have been affected by the bug.[150] World 666 also played an in-game cover of the song "Planet Hell" by Nightwish, which was the song used in the original video of the event. The track was removed from the game when the event was over.[151] The bug's reception has become part of internet culture.[152] PC Gamer called the bug "One of the best all-time MMO bugs".[153]

Reception

PC Gamer UK stated in December 2003, that while the "traditional [role-playing game] values of questing, slaying monsters and developing your character in a familiar medieval setting" will not "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 player the opportunity to upgrade to a members' account", describing the game as "an unsurprising success".[154]

The Yahoo! 2006 Buzz Log stated that, "while it may not be as easy on the eyes as some other popular [MMORPGs], like World of Warcraft, City of Heroes, or EverQuest, RuneScape is still a lot better way to kill time than pushing around cells in a spreadsheet".[155] A 2007 JustRPG review summarised RuneScape as "a fun, addictive game, and while the graphics may not be perfect, for a game written in Java, they aren't bad. The skills are varied, the community is alright, and it'll eat up your time if you aren't careful", giving it a score of 83%.[156]

In its 2008 intellectual property profile of the game, Developmag.com stated that whilst Jagex's changes to curtail real world trading resulted in "a wave of user criticism... growth is understood to have resumed since". Its analysis stated that "RuneScape's mass-market appeal lies in its simplicity and accessibility (both financial and technical). It has tapped into the vast market of games players unwilling or unable to spend premium prices on PCs capable of playing the latest, expensive, processor-intensive games. Its core gameplay concepts are very similar to its retail-distributed RPG and MMORPG analogues."[157] In August 2008, RuneScape was recognised by the Guinness World Records as the world's most popular free MMORPG. Jagex was presented with a certificate to commemorate the achievement at the 2008 Leipzig Games Convention.[158] A 2009 Eurogamer article criticised RuneScape's in-game community for being unfriendly to newcomers, although they have stated that the fan-forum community is more approachable.[159]

An April 2011 review by MMORPG.com was complimentary of RuneScape, stating that "For anyone looking for that "old-school" experience but with also tons of progression, refinement, and unique ideas, RuneScape is easily recommendable", but criticised the game's combat system and emphasis on grinding. "...the genre feels slightly passed clicking an enemy and watching two swords clunk mercilessly into opposing body forms...RuneScape has grind in abundance and while this is not entirely a bad thing, it will put some players off looking for a slightly easier and more casual experience".[160] The game received the "Role-Playing Game" award at The Independent Game Developers' Association Awards 2018.[161]

On 10 December 2007, updates by Jagex removed free player-versus-player combat and unbalanced trading in order to rid the game of activities involving real currency being traded for virtual goods.[46][162] The updates also affected legitimate players, resulting in many of them actively complaining on the forums.[163] Jagex issued a Customer Support News article admitting the updates may not have been an ideal replacement for what was removed, requesting patience and promising to remedy potential problems with updates in the future.[164] During the changes, subscription numbers fell by 60,000.[165] No figures were given as to how many of those subscriptions belonged to legitimate players and how many to gold farmers. In an interview in February 2008, Jagex's head of content stated that, "we were really afraid we were going to lose our members over this change, because other games had in the past. But we are very, very pleased to say that we have lost practically none of our members."[166]

In December 2010, a referendum was opened to decide whether to restore unbalanced trades and player-versus-player combat in the Wilderness,[137] which closed with 1.2 million votes cast and 91% of voters in favour of the proposal,[167] and these features were restored on 1 February 2011.[49] A second referendum was announced in February 2013 to decide whether to run a separate version of the game dating from 2007,[111] closing on 1 March 2013 with almost 450,000 votes.[168] Servers for the 2007 version were opened on 22 February 2013 once 50,000 votes were collected.[112]

Revenue

In 2018, it was reported that RuneScape had generated over US$1 billion in lifetime revenue since its original launch.[169] RuneScape annually generates over £100 million in revenue and over £50 million in profit.[170]

References

  1. ^ "Runescape celebrates its 20th anniversary with a 'Grand Party' and special rewards". PC Gamer. 4 January 2021. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
  2. ^ Saltzman, Marc (29 July 2012). "Five things you didn't know about 'RuneScape'". USAToday. Archived from the original on 27 January 2013. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
  3. ^ "God Letters: Issue 16 – Guthix Dispels Rumours". RuneScape Knowledge Base. Jagex. Archived from the original on 15 July 2011. Retrieved 10 July 2008.
  4. ^ "RuneScape World Map". Jagex. 25 May 2012. Archived from the original (Image) on 24 May 2024. Retrieved 27 June 2012.
  5. ^ "Transportation – Introduction". RuneScape Knowledge Base. Jagex. Archived from the original on 15 July 2011. Retrieved 10 July 2008.
  6. ^ "Armies of Gielinor". FunOrb News. Jagex. 15 January 2009. Archived from the original on 21 January 2009. Retrieved 14 October 2009.
  7. ^ "London Book Fair – Betrayal at Falador". Babel Interactive. Archived from the original on 7 July 2011. Retrieved 21 September 2009.
  8. ^ RuneScape: Return to Canifis (RuneScape 2). ASIN 1848567278.
  9. ^ "New RuneScape Novel: Legacy of Blood". RuneScape News. Jagex. 2012. Retrieved 27 June 2012.
  10. ^ "RS2 Launched!". RuneScape. 29 March 2004. Retrieved 13 August 2014.
  11. ^ a b "RuneScape 3 Now Live". RuneScape News. Jagex. 2013. Retrieved 18 February 2014.
  12. ^ "RuneScape on Mobile – Coming Soon". Jagex Limited. 17 July 2017. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
  13. ^ Coberly, Cohen (30 October 2018). "Old School RuneScape is now free to play on iOS and Android devices". TechSpot. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
  14. ^ a b "RuneScape Out Now On Steam!". Jagex. 14 October 2020. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
  15. ^ a b "How do I get started?". RuneScape Knowledge Base. Jagex. Archived from the original on 23 July 2011. Retrieved 28 January 2007.
  16. ^ Jagex. "Beginners' Guide". RuneScape. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
  17. ^ "Advisors and Tutors". RuneScape Knowledge Base. Jagex. Archived from the original on 20 July 2011. Retrieved 17 September 2009.
  18. ^ Payne, Freddie (22 May 2022). "Old School RuneScape: 5 Beginner Tips". TheGamer. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  19. ^ Calvin, Alex; JagEx (7 December 2021). Runescape: The First 20 Years--An Illustrated History. Dark Horse Comics. ISBN 978-1-5067-2126-2.
  20. ^ Rosner, Sandra; Melendez, Jarrett (16 April 2024). RuneScape: The Official Cookbook. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 979-8-88663-314-6.
  21. ^ Cowdry, Calve (1 September 2023). "Old School RuneScape: 13 Most Useful Achievement Diary Rewards". TheGamer. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  22. ^ Wingfield, Nick (5 October 2006). "The Knights of Networking: Online Fantasy Game RuneScape Has Dull Graphics, but It's Free, Luring Millions to Play, Mingle". The Wall Street Journal. Dow Jones & Company, Inc. p. B.1. Archived from the original on 12 March 2017. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  23. ^ "Controls – Statistics". RuneScape Knowledge Base. Jagex. Archived from the original on 15 July 2011. Retrieved 20 June 2009.
  24. ^ "Coming Next Week: New Website!". RuneScape News. Jagex. 15 November 2011. Archived from the original on 16 November 2011. Retrieved 16 November 2011.
  25. ^ a b "Capes of Accomplishment". RuneScape Knowledge Base. Jagex. Archived from the original on 15 July 2011. Retrieved 27 March 2007.
  26. ^ "Skills". RuneScape Knowledge Base. Jagex. Archived from the original on 23 July 2011. Retrieved 14 October 2006.
  27. ^ a b c "Fighting – The Basics". RuneScape Knowledge Base. Jagex. Archived from the original on 29 July 2011. Retrieved 9 October 2006.
  28. ^ "Summoning – The Basics". RuneScape Knowledge Base. Jagex. Archived from the original on 15 July 2011. Retrieved 20 June 2009.
  29. ^ a b "Evolution of Combat: Now Live!". RuneScape News. Jagex. 20 November 2012. Retrieved 14 April 2013.
  30. ^ "Melee – The Basics". RuneScape Knowledge Base. Jagex. Archived from the original on 20 July 2011. Retrieved 14 October 2006.
  31. ^ "Magic – The Basics". RuneScape Knowledge Base. Jagex. Archived from the original on 29 July 2011. Retrieved 14 October 2006.
  32. ^ "Ranged – The Basics". RuneScape Knowledge Base. Jagex. Archived from the original on 6 August 2011. Retrieved 14 October 2006.
  33. ^ "Combat Triangle and Tactics". RuneScape Knowledge Base. Jagex. Archived from the original on 15 July 2011. Retrieved 21 September 2009.
  34. ^ a b "Death in RuneScape". RuneScape Knowledge Base. Jagex. Archived from the original on 23 July 2011. Retrieved 20 April 2011.
  35. ^ "Evolution of Combat Beta – Live!". RuneScape News. Jagex. 26 June 2012. Retrieved 20 November 2012.
  36. ^ Mod Mark (1 June 2012). "Og Blog: Evolution of Combat". RuneScape News. Jagex. Retrieved 1 June 2012.
  37. ^ "RuneScape 2014 - Power to the Players". RuneScape News. Jagex. 27 December 2013. Archived from the original on 3 May 2015. Retrieved 15 February 2014.
  38. ^ "Poll - Legacy Combat". RuneScape News. Jagex. 1 February 2014. Archived from the original on 3 May 2015. Retrieved 15 February 2014.
  39. ^ "Poll - Combat Level Calculation". RuneScape News. Jagex. 14 February 2014. Archived from the original on 3 May 2015. Retrieved 15 February 2014.
  40. ^ "Legacy Mode Beta - Now Open". RuneScape News. Jagex. 14 June 2014. Archived from the original on 18 June 2014. Retrieved 1 July 2014.
  41. ^ "Legacy Mode Launch, Global Combat Improvements and Gear Guide". RuneScape News. Jagex. 14 July 2014. Archived from the original on 19 July 2014. Retrieved 15 July 2014.
  42. ^ "The Duel Arena". RuneScape Knowledge Base. Jagex. Archived from the original on 23 July 2011. Retrieved 29 November 2007.
  43. ^ "The Wilderness - Getting Started". RuneScape Knowledge Base. Jagex. Archived from the original on 15 July 2011. Retrieved 26 January 2011.
  44. ^ sheep01. "Wilderness Survival Guide". RuneHQ. Archived from the original on 29 July 2011. Retrieved 14 February 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  45. ^ a b "RuneScape vs. Real-world Trading". RuneScape Development Diaries. Jagex. Archived from the original on 23 November 2010. Retrieved 29 June 2008.
  46. ^ a b "Wilderness Changes, Bounty Hunter and Clan Wars!". RuneScape News. Jagex. 10 December 2007. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 20 June 2009.
  47. ^ "Bounty Hunter Wilderness-only PvP". RuneScape News. Jagex. 6 May 2009. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 20 June 2009.
  48. ^ "News Item: PvP Worlds". RuneScape News. Jagex. 15 October 2008. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 15 October 2008.
  49. ^ a b c "The Wilderness and Free Trade Return". RuneScape News. Jagex. 1 February 2011. Archived from the original on 4 August 2011. Retrieved 1 February 2011.
  50. ^ a b "How to use the Bestiary". Rune Tips. Archived from the original on 22 July 2011. Retrieved 22 February 2007.
  51. ^ "Controls – Trading". RuneScape Knowledge Base. Jagex. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 12 April 2009.
  52. ^ "Controls – The Grand Exchange". RuneScape Knowledge Base. Jagex. Archived from the original on 26 July 2011. Retrieved 12 April 2009.
  53. ^ "Controls – Friends and Clan Chat". RuneScape Knowledge Base. Jagex. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 12 April 2011.
  54. ^ "Controls – Chat". RuneScape Knowledge Base. Jagex. Archived from the original on 16 September 2009. Retrieved 23 October 2008.
  55. ^ "Activities and Mini Quests". Rune Tips. Archived from the original on 22 July 2011. Retrieved 12 October 2010.
  56. ^ "Beginners' Guide". RuneScape Knowledge Base. Jagex. Archived from the original on 15 July 2011. Retrieved 27 March 2007.
  57. ^ a b Dodson, Sean (11 December 2003). "Rune to move". The Guardian. UK. Archived from the original on 5 May 2009. Retrieved 12 July 2008.
  58. ^ Dobson, Jason (3 May 2007). "Q&A: Behind RuneScape's 1 Million Subscriber Success". Gamasutra. Archived from the original on 6 May 2010. Retrieved 25 April 2010.
  59. ^ Funk, John (23 July 2008). "WarCry and Jagex Talk RuneScape". WarCry Network. Archived from the original on 28 July 2011. Retrieved 25 April 2010.
  60. ^ Griliopoulos, Dan (27 June 2012). "The Longest Game: The Making of RuneScape". PCGamesN. Archived from the original on 29 June 2012. Retrieved 27 June 2012.
  61. ^ Law, Gillian (3 March 2004). "RuneScape takes on the big games". IDG News Service. Archived from the original on 15 June 2008. Retrieved 3 March 2004.
  62. ^ a b c d "PC Gamer presents RuneScape". PC Gamer. March 2013. pp. 5, 7, 11, 15.
  63. ^ "The biggest update ever..." RuneScape News. Jagex. 13 February 2003. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 15 June 2006.
  64. ^ "Nearly 5000 RS-classic accounts banned". RuneScape News. Jagex. 12 January 2006. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 4 March 2007.
  65. ^ "RuneScape Classic Temporarily Re-opened". RuneScape News. Jagex. 11 November 2009. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 11 November 2009.
  66. ^ "RuneScape Classic Temporarily Re-opened". RuneScape News. Jagex. 1 June 2010. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 1 June 2010.
  67. ^ Purchese, Robert (15 September 2011). "Jagex reopening RuneScape Classic today". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on 25 September 2011. Retrieved 1 October 2011.
  68. ^ "Advert Blocking". RuneScape Knowledge Base. Jagex. Archived from the original on 28 July 2011. Retrieved 4 December 2010.
  69. ^ a b Radd, David (17 July 2006). "WildTangent Explores RuneScape". GameDaily BIZ. p. 1. Archived from the original on 11 December 2007. Retrieved 3 May 2006.
  70. ^ "WildTangent Sells Ads in RuneScape Online Game". MediaBuyerPlanner. 13 July 2006. Archived from the original on 7 August 2011. Retrieved 8 August 2006.
  71. ^ "Game engine upgraded!". RuneScape News. Jagex. 16 May 2006. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 27 June 2007.
  72. ^ "RS HD Launch: RuneScape HD – Members-Only Beta Launch". Jagex. 1 July 2008. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 7 July 2008.
  73. ^ "Pre-E3 2008: Jagex Confirms RuneScape High Detail Debut". IGN. 2008. Archived from the original on 21 June 2009. Retrieved 25 June 2008.
  74. ^ "German Language Beta Launch – Some Information". RuneScape News. Jagex. 14 February 2007. Retrieved 25 April 2013.
  75. ^ "RuneScape France". RuneScape News. Jagex. 11 December 2008. Retrieved 25 April 2013.
  76. ^ "RuneScape: Brazil". RuneScape News. Jagex. 24 July 2009. Retrieved 25 April 2013.
  77. ^ "RuneScape Latin American Spanish: Now Live". RuneScape News. Jagex. 25 April 2013. Retrieved 25 April 2013.
  78. ^ Martin, Matt (9 May 2008). "MMO Week: Jagex's Geoff Iddison". GamesIndustry.biz. Archived from the original on 6 August 2011. Retrieved 15 June 2008.
  79. ^ "RuneScape Launches in India". Jagex. 8 October 2009. Archived from the original on 18 July 2011. Retrieved 16 October 2009.
  80. ^ Leigh, Alexander (27 May 2010). "Jagex, Bigpoint Partner For RuneScape In France, Germany". Gamasutra. Archived from the original on 6 August 2010. Retrieved 31 May 2010.
  81. ^ Mod Nexus (28 February 2012). "Spin and Win on the Squeal of Fortune!". Jagex. Archived from the original on 16 February 2019. Retrieved 2 April 2012.
  82. ^ "Squeal of Fortune – Extra Spins". Jagex. 2 April 2012. Archived from the original on 16 February 2019. Retrieved 2 April 2012.
  83. ^ Crossley, Rob (2 April 2012). "RuneScape begins first microtransaction experiment". Develop. Archived from the original on 5 April 2012. Retrieved 2 April 2012.
  84. ^ "Solomon's General Store - Grand Opening!". RuneScape News. Jagex. 2012. Archived from the original on 19 July 2012. Retrieved 18 July 2012.
  85. ^ Mark Gerhard (29 August 2012). "Mod MMG on RuneScape Micro-Payments". RuneScape News. Jagex. Archived from the original on 8 August 2014. Retrieved 15 February 2014.
  86. ^ "Treasure Hunter". RuneScape News. Jagex. 2014. Archived from the original on 16 February 2019. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
  87. ^ Mark Gerhard (26 March 2014). "Mod MMG on RuneScape Micro-Payments". RuneScape News. Jagex. Archived from the original on 29 March 2014. Retrieved 27 March 2014.
  88. ^ Purchese, Robert (30 August 2012). "MMO RuneScape being developed for tablets, smart TVs and other platforms". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on 30 March 2013. Retrieved 23 March 2013.
  89. ^ Behind the Scenes Video: Bonus Edition (Trailer). Jagex. 22 March 2013. Event occurs at 0:45, 1:28. Retrieved 23 March 2013. We've rewritten the game client using HTML5 and utilising WebGL...we've made the interface fully customisable.
  90. ^ a b RS3 Orchestral Music (Trailer). Jagex. 3 May 2013. Event occurs at 0:34. Retrieved 3 May 2013. Today we've come to Bratislava...and we're here to record an orchestra for RuneScape.
  91. ^ "RS3 Beta Programme". Jagex. 29 March 2013. Retrieved 17 April 2013.
  92. ^ "RuneFest's Big Reveals". RuneScape News. Jagex. 10 October 2014. Retrieved 13 February 2016.
  93. ^ "NXT Closed Beta Weekend | 19 February". RuneScape News. Jagex. 8 February 2016. Retrieved 13 February 2016.
  94. ^ "NXT Closed Beta Weekend #2 | 18 March 12:00 UTC". RuneScape News. Jagex. 18 March 2016. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
  95. ^ "NXT – New Game Client | Now Live for Everyone". RuneScape News. Jagex. 18 April 2016. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
  96. ^ "RuneScape Classic: Farewell". Old School RuneScape. Jagex. 23 May 2018. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
  97. ^ Wood, Austin (7 August 2018). "RuneScape Classic's shutdown was delayed just so one player could finish his last quest". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on 15 August 2018. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
  98. ^ "Game Engine – RuneTek 5". RuneScape Developers' Blogs. Jagex. 26 August 2009. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 29 August 2009.
  99. ^ "RuneTek 5 Game Engine". RuneScape News. Jagex. 2 September 2009. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 2 September 2009.
  100. ^ "Z-buffering". RuneScape News. Jagex. 15 September 2010. Archived from the original on 20 January 2011. Retrieved 24 September 2010.
  101. ^ Jagex (2008). "RuneScape Trailer". Gametrailers.com. Archived from the original on 5 April 2010. Retrieved 4 July 2008.
  102. ^ "Controls - Display Options". RuneScape Knowledge Base. Jagex. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 10 November 2010.
  103. ^ "Controls – Options". RuneScape Knowledge Base. Jagex. Archived from the original on 3 August 2011. Retrieved 6 May 2007.
  104. ^ "Audio Team – Music, Sound Effects and the Sound Bank". RuneScape Development Diaries. Jagex. Archived from the original on 10 February 2011. Retrieved 12 September 2009.
  105. ^ Jagex. "Play Old School RuneScape - World Server List". Oldschool RuneScape. Retrieved 3 November 2018.
  106. ^ "Game-world locations renamed" Archived 22 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine, "11 new worlds online" Archived 22 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine, "5 new worlds in Stockholm, Sweden" Archived 22 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine, "6 new Australian servers online!" Archived 22 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine, "8 new worlds in Miami" Archived 22 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine, and "New London servers" Archived 22 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine. RuneScape News. Published by Jagex (26 April 2005 through 20 November 2006). Retrieved on 13 April 2007. "6 new Australian servers online!". 28 December 2005. Archived from the original on 29 July 2011. Retrieved 22 October 2009.
  107. ^ "RuneScape World List". Jagex. Archived from the original on 2 March 2011. Retrieved 20 June 2009.
  108. ^ "Singapore server relocated". RuneScape News. Jagex. 25 August 2003. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 31 July 2007.
  109. ^ Wagner, James Au (14 July 2008). "RuneScape Moves to Come Out of the Shadows". GigaOM. Archived from the original on 15 July 2011. Retrieved 14 July 2008.
  110. ^ "Themed Worlds". RuneScape News. Jagex. 13 August 2007. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 14 September 2007.
  111. ^ a b Gerhard, Mark (13 February 2013). "2007 - Old School RuneScape... You Vote!". Jagex. Archived from the original on 10 August 2013. Retrieved 13 February 2013.
  112. ^ a b Gerhard, Mark (22 February 2013). "Old School RuneScape: Early Access Now Open". Jagex. Archived from the original on 25 February 2013. Retrieved 5 March 2013.
  113. ^ "Permanent Free-to-Play". Old School RuneScape News. Jagex. 19 February 2015. Archived from the original on 20 December 2018. Retrieved 16 February 2016.
  114. ^ "Welcome to Old School RuneScape Polls". RuneScape Old School. Jagex Limited. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
  115. ^ "RuneScape on Mobile – Coming Soon". RuneScape News. Jagex. 17 July 2017. Retrieved 6 August 2017.
  116. ^ "Play DarkScape - Free-to-Play Open World PvP". Jagex. 16 September 2015. Archived from the original on 10 May 2018. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
  117. ^ "The Status of DarkScape". DarkScape News. Jagex. 29 February 2016. Archived from the original on 29 February 2016. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
  118. ^ "Display Names". RuneScape News. Jagex. 1 October 2009. Archived from the original on 15 July 2011. Retrieved 13 October 2009.
  119. ^ "Controls – Photo Booth". RuneScape Knowledge Base. Jagex. Archived from the original on 3 August 2011. Retrieved 7 October 2009.
  120. ^ Mod SteveW (5 November 2010). "Free Player Forum Access Expanded". RuneScape News. Jagex. Archived from the original on 9 February 2011. Retrieved 8 November 2010.
  121. ^ "Saradomin Enlightens". RuneScape News. Jagex. 9 December 2004. Archived from the original on 15 July 2011. Retrieved 27 February 2009.
  122. ^ "New readers letters". RuneScape News. Jagex. 26 September 2005. Archived from the original on 15 July 2011. Retrieved 7 April 2009.
  123. ^ "Players' Gallery". Jagex. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 27 February 2009.
  124. ^ a b "Holiday Items Guide". RuneScape Knowledge Base. Jagex. Archived from the original on 28 December 2009. Retrieved 10 April 2009.
  125. ^ "Price of White Partyhat". RuneScape Grand Exchange. Jagex. Archived from the original on 6 August 2011. Retrieved 27 February 2009.
  126. ^ "Fansites". RuneScape Knowledge Base. Jagex. Archived from the original on 11 August 2011. Retrieved 7 June 2010.
  127. ^ "Rules of RuneScape – Security". RuneScape Knowledge Base. Jagex. Archived from the original on 28 July 2011. Retrieved 12 May 2009.
  128. ^ "So Who Needs Fansites Anyway?". Rune Tips. 26 January 2007. Archived from the original on 22 July 2011. Retrieved 8 May 2009.
  129. ^ "Re: The Future of RuneScape". Rune Tips. 15 February 2009. Archived from the original on 22 July 2011. Retrieved 8 May 2009.
  130. ^ "Araxxor, Twitch Integration and Lobby Update". RuneScape News. Jagex. 28 July 2014. Archived from the original on 8 August 2014. Retrieved 30 July 2014.
  131. ^ "Rules of RuneScape". Jagex. Retrieved 15 July 2014.
  132. ^ a b "Reporting Abuse". RuneScape Knowledge Base. Jagex. Archived from the original on 1 September 2009. Retrieved 18 January 2009.
  133. ^ "Moderators". Jagex. Archived from the original on 30 April 2014. Retrieved 15 July 2014.
  134. ^ "Macroing, and use of bots or third-party software". RuneScape Knowledge Base. Jagex. Archived from the original on 28 July 2011. Retrieved 4 December 2010.
  135. ^ "Random Events". RuneScape Knowledge Base. Jagex. Archived from the original on 26 November 2009. Retrieved 4 July 2008.
  136. ^ "Bots and real-world trading". RuneScape News. Jagex. 1 May 2007. Archived from the original on 9 October 2011. Retrieved 30 May 2007.
  137. ^ a b Gerhard, Mark (24 December 2010). "Wilderness and Free Trade Referendum". RuneScape News. Jagex. Archived from the original on 20 July 2011. Retrieved 24 December 2010.
  138. ^ "Bot-Nuking Day: Making RuneScape Fairer and More Fun!". RuneScape News. Jagex. 25 October 2011. Archived from the original on 22 November 2011. Retrieved 18 November 2011.
  139. ^ "Ninja Week - 20/08". Jagex. 20 August 2018. Retrieved 28 February 2021. With this week, we wave goodbye to the infamous Botany Bay.
  140. ^ Olivetti, Justin (26 September 2012). "RuneScape puts bots on trial". Massively. Archived from the original on 5 February 2015. Retrieved 26 September 2012.
  141. ^ Gerhard, Mark (25 September 2013). "An Important message from Mod MMG". Jagex. Archived from the original on 13 January 2014. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
  142. ^ Pips (2 October 2013). "Bonds – One Week In". Jagex. Archived from the original on 13 January 2014. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
  143. ^ Bishop, Sam (8 June 2016). "Runescape marks the anniversary of the Falador Massacre". Gamereactor UK.
  144. ^ Morrison, Angus (6 June 2016). "Old School Runescape celebrates the Falador Massacre glitch". PC Gamer.
  145. ^ Thylin, Atle (7 June 2016). "RuneScape commemorates the 10 year anniversary of the Falador Massacre". GameZone.
  146. ^ "World 666: Please bank your items". 3 June 2016.
  147. ^ Morrison, Angus (6 June 2016). "Old School Runescape celebrates the Falador Massacre glitch". PC Gamer. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  148. ^ Messner, Steven (6 June 2016). "Runescape Marks Anniversary Of 6/6/6 Glitchy Massacre". Rock Paper Shotgun. Reedpop. Gamer Network Limited. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
  149. ^ "RuneScape marks anniversary of a somber player massacre with… another massacre | Massively Overpowered". 6 June 2016.
  150. ^ Van Houten, Rian (4 June 2021). "Runescape Marks Anniversary Of 6/6/6 Glitchy Massacre". IGN Nordic. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  151. ^ @JagexAsh (6 June 2016). "@Protpaladin9000 I wasn't involved. Mod Bond did that track, but I gather we've been asked not to keep that parody track permanently" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  152. ^ Marasigan, Marc (7 June 2016). "Runescape Commemorates 10th Anniversary of 6/6/6 Massacre". MMOs.com. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  153. ^ Morrison, Angus (6 June 2016). "Old School Runescape celebrates the Falador Massacre glitch". PC Gamer. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  154. ^ Sutherns, Mark (December 2003). "RuneScape 2: browser-based Goblin basher goes 3D". PC Gamer UK, issue 129. Future Publishing. p. 145.
  155. ^ Hurd, Gordon (8 May 2006). "The Rundown on RuneScape". Yahoo Buzz Log. Archived from the original on 7 March 2012. Retrieved 8 August 2006.
  156. ^ Gasperazzo, Wendy. "Reviews: RuneScape". Just RPG. Archived from the original on 13 July 2011. Retrieved 30 April 2007.
  157. ^ Gibson, Nick (19 May 2008). "IP profile: RuneScape". Develop. Archived from the original on 13 August 2011. Retrieved 20 May 2008.
  158. ^ "RuneScape in Guinness World Records!". RuneScape News. Jagex. 22 August 2008. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 22 August 2008.
  159. ^ Blyth, Jon (9 February 2009). "RuneScape". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on 9 August 2011. Retrieved 20 February 2009.
  160. ^ Tingle, Adam (6 April 2011). "RuneScape Review: 2011 Re-Review - Edit". MMORPG.com. Archived from the original on 5 November 2011. Retrieved 6 March 2012.
  161. ^ "TIGA Games Industry Awards 2018". The Independent Game Developers' Association. 1 November 2018. Retrieved 3 November 2018.
  162. ^ "Trade and Drop Changes". RuneScape News. Jagex. 10 December 2007. Archived from the original on 9 October 2011. Retrieved 18 April 2010.
  163. ^ Armadyllo (10 December 2007). "What the heck was THAT?". Rune Tips. Archived from the original on 22 July 2011. Retrieved 7 June 2010.
  164. ^ "A Word About Our Updates". RuneScape News. Jagex. 13 December 2007. Archived from the original on 9 October 2011. Retrieved 9 April 2009.
  165. ^ Sabbagh, Dan (1 February 2008). "Online games group aims for growth the Nintendo way". The Times. UK. Archived from the original on 23 August 2011. Retrieved 10 July 2008. Now only people can trade items of similar value...and the clean-up cost RuneScape 60,000 subscribers.
  166. ^ Purchese, Robert (19 February 2008). "The Great Digital Gold-Rush". EuroGamer. p. 2. Archived from the original on 10 August 2011. Retrieved 23 October 2010.
  167. ^ Caoili, Eric (18 January 2011). "1.2M RuneScape Players Vote To Restore PvP, Free Trade Features". Gamasutra. Archived from the original on 6 February 2011. Retrieved 5 March 2011.
  168. ^ Gerhard, Mark (1 March 2013). "Old School RuneScape: Poll Results In!". Jagex. Archived from the original on 2 March 2013. Retrieved 5 March 2013.
  169. ^ Dring, Christopher (10 September 2018). "Jagex profit and revenue spike in another record year". GamesIndustry.biz. Archived from the original on 22 July 2020. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  170. ^ Symcox, Jonathan (2 March 2021). "Inside UK's £1 billion videogame franchise RuneScape". Businesscloud. Archived from the original on 19 April 2021. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to RuneScape.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=RuneScape&oldid=1254116944#Combat"