| Revision as of 15:29, 24 March 2006 view source81.107.48.109 (talk) →Overview← Previous edit | Revision as of 15:38, 24 March 2006 view source 156.63.190.132 (talk)No edit summaryNext edit → | ||
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| ''RuneScape'' is set in a medieval fantasy world, similar to ''"]"'' or ''"]"'', where players control character representations of themselves. As with most MMORPGs, there is no overall objective or end to the game. Players can explore, form alliances, earn gold coins, perform optional tasks, and complete quests for rewards and to build their character's skills. | ''RuneScape'' is set in a medieval fantasy world, similar to ''"]"'' or ''"]"'', where players control character representations of themselves. As with most MMORPGs, there is no overall objective or end to the game. Players can explore, form alliances, earn gold coins, perform optional tasks, and complete quests for rewards and to build their character's skills. | ||
| During peak hours, it is common to see around 150,000 players online |
During peak hours, it is common to see around 150,000 players online /runescape/newsitem.ws?id=547 "4 new worlds now online"] - ''RuneScape'' Technical News, access March 4, 2006.</ref>. Up to 2,000 players may be on one server at once, allowing a maximum of 242,000 online players at any one time. These servers are called "worlds" in ''RuneScape''. Servers are located in the ] (79), the ] (18), ] (6), the ] (6), ] (6) and ] (4) (news not out yet as of 9:24 EST)<ref> - ''RuneScape'' Technical News, accessed March 4, 2006.</ref>, making it the most popular online Java based game in the world. ''RuneScape'' is usually updated once a week, with the addition of new skills, quests, or items, as well as many other types of updates. | ||
| ⚫ | ==History and.PNG|thumb|right|256px|A screenshot of DeviousMUD. The first version of the game, not released to the public.]] | ||
| ==History and development== | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| ] | ] | ||
| '''Version 1:''' The first version started out as a one man project. The developer (Andrew Gower), started working on the original game in |
'''Version 1:''' The first version started out as a one man project. The developer (Andrew Gower), started working on the original game in | ||
| '''Version 2:''' The developer scrapped version 1, and started work on a complete rewrite in 1999. Despite being a complete rewrite, this version was very similar to version 1, with the same graphics and name. This version was released as a public beta for about 1 week, and then withdrawn. | '''Version 2:''' The developer scrapped version 1, and started work on a complete rewrite in 1999. Despite being a complete rewrite, this version was very similar to version 1, with the same graphics and name. This version was released as a public beta for about 1 week, and then withdrawn. | ||
| '''Version 3:''' The developer started yet again with a 3rd attempt in October 1999. This time, Andrew had some help from his brothers Paul and Ian. The isometric view was replaced in favor of ] graphics and ] ]. The game was renamed ''RuneScape'' and released to the public on ], ]. This version is still online today but only for limited ''RuneScape'' Members. It is currently called ''RuneScape Classic''. On ], ], 5,000 ''RuneScape Classic'' accounts were banned. Additionally, play was restricted to members who had logged in at least once since ], ]. No more |
'''Version 3:''' The developer started yet again with a 3rd attempt in October 1999. This time, Andrew had some help from his brothers Paul and Ian. The isometric view was replaced in favor of ] graphics and ] ]. The game was renamed ''RuneScape'' and released to the public on ], ]. This version is still online today but only for limited ''RuneScape'' Members. It is currently called ''RuneScape Classic''. On ], ], 5,000 ''RuneScape Classic'' accounts were banned. Additionally, play was restricted to members who had logged in at least once since ], ]. No more 5000 RS-classic accounts banned"] - ''RuneScape'' Customer Support News, accessed March 4, 2006.</ref> | ||
| '''Jagex Ltd formed:''' In ] of ] Jagex Limited was founded as a commercial operation to take over the running of ''RuneScape''. Jagex acquired ''RuneScape'' and all related technologies, and continued to develop the game further. Andrew Gower joined Jagex as its lead developer. | '''Jagex Ltd formed:''' In ] of ] Jagex Limited was founded as a commercial operation to take over the running of ''RuneScape''. Jagex acquired ''RuneScape'' and all related technologies, and continued to develop the game further. Andrew Gower joined Jagex as its lead developer. | ||
| '''Members the focus of the game. | |||
| '''Members launch:''' On ], ], Jagex launched a new optional "members service", allowing players to pay $5 USD a month to obtain access to constant updates on a mostly weekly basis. Paying members had a far greater choice of things to do, but it was still possible to play the game for free, and the amount of free content was also increased. While not a new version as such (the game still ran on the same version 3D engine), this update did significantly change the focus of the game. | |||
| '''Version 4:''' Jagex went for yet another complete rewrite. Version 4 changed the graphics to full 3D and made many other significant improvements. While in development, this version was called ''RuneScape 2'', but when launched was just called ''RuneScape'' (version 3 would later be renamed ''RuneScape Classic''). An incomplete beta of this version was available to members on ], ]. The finished version was launched on March 29, 2004. This is the current version of the game being |
'''Version 4:''' Jagex went for yet another complete rewrite. Version 4 changed the graphics to full 3D and made many other significant improvements. While in development, this version was called ''RuneScape 2'', but when launched was just called ''RuneScape'' (version 3 would later be renamed ''RuneScape Classic''). An incomplete beta of this version was available to members on ], ]. The finished version was launched on March 29, 2004. This is the current version of the game being ''RuneScape''. | ||
| On ], ], 15,000 accounts in the 4th version were banned for macroing (using software to play the game automatically in order to gain an unfair advantage).<ref> |
On ], ], 15,000 accounts in the 4th version were banned for macroing (using software to play the game automatically in order to gain an unfair advantage).<ref>] in ''RuneScape'', and can be used to ]. | ||
| ⚫ | ] are calculated using seven skills: attack, strength, defence, hitpoints, magic, prayer and the maximum in ''RuneScape'' is 126. Other skills, while beneficial, will not increase one's combat level. | ||
| ==Combat== | |||
| {{main|RuneScape combat}} | |||
| ].]] | |||
| Combat is an important aspect of the game, as killing monsters is one of most direct ways of gaining wealth in terms of both cash and items. Combat is also needed to complete many of the ] in ''RuneScape'', and can be used to ]. | |||
| ⚫ | ] are calculated using seven skills: attack, strength, defence, hitpoints, magic, prayer |
||
| Combat is subdivided into three primary categories: | Combat is subdivided into three primary categories: | ||
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| ===Player vs player combat=== | ===Player vs player combat=== | ||
| ⚫ | Players cannot normally fight with each other in most areas of the map. There is important to know that in F2P (also known as 'free to play') playerkilling, the combat triangle is not always accurate. Usually rangers against mages and warriors against rangers hold true to the combat triangle but mages against warriors usually ends in an even match due to the amount of damage the mage will receive unless he has a high defense level and the amount of damage the mage inflicts on another player in this area is referred to as "pking" (player killing). Some areas of the Wilderness only allow 1-on-1 battles, whilst other areas (known as multi-combat areas) allow combat between multiple players and potentially huge team wars. Multi-combat areas can be identified by two crossed swords in the bottom right area. | ||
| Players cannot normally fight with each other in most areas of the map. There are, however, 4 different areas where ] combat is allowed in ''RuneScape'' - each with different rules and properties. Here, more than anywhere else, the ''RuneScape'' combat triangle becomes an important factor in determining who emerges the victor: | |||
| *'''Warriors''' are strong against Rangers, but weak against Mages | |||
| *'''Mages''' are strong against Warriors, but weak against Rangers | |||
| *'''Rangers''' are strong against Mages, but weak against Warriors | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| ====History of PvP combat==== | |||
| Originally, after the release of Version 3, players could select whether or not to play as "player-killer" characters or not. The player could switch from player-killer mode to non-player-killer mode (in which the character could not attack or be attacked by other players) three times, after which they remained at their chosen setting forever. Player combat could take place at any point in the ''RuneScape'' world, with some exceptions noted below. The rules of combat were the same as in the modern Wilderness; however, the village of Lumbridge was designated as a neutral area in which players could not attack each other, to prevent "spawn camping" in which recently killed players were immediately killed after they respawned in Lumbridge. In addition to this restriction, NPC Guards and White Knights patrolled the cities of Varrock and Falador, and broke up player fights by attacking the aggressor. These guard units were limited in number, however, and if all the units in a city were already in combat, player combat could go on freely. This system was scrapped on August 13th, 2001 due to unpopularity among players who were unable to leave Lumbridge without being attacked by packs of hostile player-killers, and were unable to switch back to "non-player-killer" mode as they had already switched three times. It was replaced by the Wilderness. | |||
| ====The Wilderness==== | |||
| {{main|Wilderness (RuneScape)}} | |||
| ] | |||
| For a long time the only way to fight other players was to visit the Wilderness. The Wilderness, frequently referred to as "the wildy" or "the wild", is a large area of map located in northern ''RuneScape''. Most commonly used areas and cities are located safely outside of it. Exceptions to this include the ] and the ], which are both common spots for players to camp and attack. The Wilderness has great rewards, but also great risks. Players who attack first are punished with a skull fixed above their head. If a player is killed without a skull over their head, they will lose all but their 3 most valuable items unless the "Protect Item" prayer is used to save a 4th item. If the player dies with the skull above their head, they will lose all of their items, unless the "Protect Item" prayer is active, in which case they will keep their most valuable item. The skull goes away after 20 minutes of peace, or after the player dies. Killing another player in this area is referred to as "pking" (player killing). Some areas of the Wilderness only allow 1-on-1 battles, whilst other areas (known as multi-combat areas) allow combat between multiple players and potentially huge team wars. Multi-combat areas can be identified by two crossed swords in the bottom right area. | |||
| The level of the Wilderness tells players what level players they can engage in combat above and below their own combat level. For example, if a player is in a level 50 Wilderness, they can fight people 50 levels below or 50 levels above their current combat level. | |||
| There are also many attackable non-playable characters (NPCs) in the Wilderness. Unlike most aggressive NPCs, NPCs in the Wilderness (with the exception of Rogues) are all aggressive and ignore the player's combat level. Many of the most powerful creatures in ''RuneScape'' reside in the Wilderness, such as the ] and the ]. | |||
| ====Duel Arena==== | |||
| ] | |||
| The Duel Arena is only available to members. Located in the ] desert, it allows a more formal fight where players can agree the exact terms of their fight. Players can choose either to duel for fun (in which case no items change hands), or to wager items which the winner will receive. Players may choose from a list of options ranging from restricting the style of combat used (for example: no range, magic, melee or prayer), to which particular parts of the body cannot be used (for example: helmet, body, arms or quiver). | |||
| Traveling to the Duel Arena is made easier with the Rings of Dueling. When activated, this ring teleports the player to Duel Arena, as well as other places, and lasts for 8 uses before being destroyed. | |||
| ====Castle Wars==== | |||
| {{main|Castle Wars}} | |||
| Castle Wars is a mini-game involving two teams (Zamorak vs. Saradomin) in a ] type game. If players do not particularly favour a certain ], they can enter the Guthix portal, which teleports them to the team with the least amount of players in it. The aim of the game for players is to get the enemy's standard (flag) from their castle and take it back to the standard in their own castle to gain points. Players must prevent the opposing team from taking their flag by blocking them from their castle, or by killing them. Slain players will respawn inside a protected room in their castle, so both sides are constantly fighting in most games. Each game lasts for 20 minutes, and the team with the most points at the end of the game is the winner. | |||
| Every player on the winning team of a match will receive two tickets at the end of the game, and in the event of a tie, each player will receive one ticket. In member worlds with fewer players logged in, high level players (usually 90+) usually dominate most matches, switching the team they fight for after every victory. | |||
| ====TzHaar Fight Pit==== | |||
| {{main|TzHaar Fight Cave}} | |||
| The TzHaar Fight Pit is a massive, free-for-all arena in which players can attack each other with no time limit. Some players use tactics in order to survive longer in the pits but, ultimately, only one player can survive. The game is based on "last man standing" rules, so there are no limitations regarding a player's attacks. If the fight continues for too long however, monsters from the "audience" may appear in the arena. These monsters start out at combat level 22, and appear in increasing waves, combat level rising from 22 to 45 to 90<ref> - search for "TzHaar Fight Pit", accessed March 5, 2006.</ref>, after which the players start to receive constant damage due to extreme heat. As with the Castle Wars mini-game, dying in the Fight Pit allows a player to retain their items with no penalty. Instead, the player is sent to the waiting area, ready for the next battle. If a player manages to defeat all opponents in the Fight Pit, they receive a number of ], which can be used to purchase new items in the TzHaar City. | |||
| ====Pures==== | |||
| ] | |||
| Players who train a select few, or even just one of the combat stats that affect their combat level are known as a "pure". Virtually the only reason for the existence of pures is killing other players in the Wilderness and that is what most of them spend their time doing. Often a player will have a strong "main" character that spreads out over all of the available skills and have a pure as a side character for specialized training. | |||
| The level of the level and therefore is portrayed as being weak. Despite this smokescreen, pures will use their specialised skills to hit with comparatively high damage. This makes pures very efficient player killers, ending fights quickly to make up for their lack of defence. Pures come in many varieties and are often hybrid between the three combat styles. | |||
| A pure aiming to stay in non-member worlds will often keep their attack and defence at 40 thus just being able to wield a rune weapon and receiving the large strength bonus this gives without gaining extra combat levels. While aiming for high attack, would help with killing players with high defence and good armour, the general opinion is that getting higher strength is much more important in making a successful pure. | A pure aiming to stay in non-member worlds will often keep their attack and defence at 40 thus just being able to wield a rune weapon and receiving the large strength bonus this gives without gaining extra combat levels. While aiming for high attack, would help with killing players with high defence and good armour, the general opinion is that getting higher strength is much more important in making a successful pure. | ||
Revision as of 15:38, 24 March 2006
RuneScape is an MMORPG (massive multiplayer online role-playing game) implemented in
Java, with over two million active players. RuneScape was launched by Jagex Ltd. on January 4, 2001 and offers both pay to play ("P2P") and free to play ("F2P") membership options to players.
Being implemented in Java, RuneScape requires no installation and can easily be accessed from the official site.
2001 video game| RuneScape | |
|---|---|
| File:Rslogo.gif | |
| Developer(s) | Jagex |
| Publisher(s) | Jagex |
| Designer(s) | Jagex |
| Engine | Java |
| Platform(s) | OS Independent (Web Based Java Applet) |
| Release | RuneScape 1 (Classic) - January 4th, 2001 RuneScape 2 (Modern) - March 29, 2004 |
| Genre(s) | MMORPG |
| Mode(s) | Multiplayer |
Overview
RuneScape is set in a medieval fantasy world, similar to "Guild Wars" or "EverQuest", where players control character representations of themselves. As with most MMORPGs, there is no overall objective or end to the game. Players can explore, form alliances, earn gold coins, perform optional tasks, and complete quests for rewards and to build their character's skills.
During peak hours, it is common to see around 150,000 players online /runescape/newsitem.ws?id=547 "4 new worlds now online"] - RuneScape Technical News, access March 4, 2006.</ref>. Up to 2,000 players may be on one server at once, allowing a maximum of 242,000 online players at any one time. These servers are called "worlds" in RuneScape. Servers are located in the United States (79), the United Kingdom (18), Canada (6), the Netherlands (6), Australia (6) and Sweden (4) (news not out yet as of 9:24 EST), making it the most popular online Java based game in the world. RuneScape is usually updated once a week, with the addition of new skills, quests, or items, as well as many other types of updates.
==History and.PNG|thumb|right|256px|A screenshot of DeviousMUD. The first version of the game, not released to the public.]]
Version 1: The first version started out as a one man project. The developer (Andrew Gower), started working on the original game in Version 2: The developer scrapped version 1, and started work on a complete rewrite in 1999. Despite being a complete rewrite, this version was very similar to version 1, with the same graphics and name. This version was released as a public beta for about 1 week, and then withdrawn.
Version 3: The developer started yet again with a 3rd attempt in October 1999. This time, Andrew had some help from his brothers Paul and Ian. The isometric view was replaced in favor of 3D graphics and 2D sprites. The game was renamed RuneScape and released to the public on January 4, 2001. This version is still online today but only for limited RuneScape Members. It is currently called RuneScape Classic. On January 12, 2006, 5,000 RuneScape Classic accounts were banned. Additionally, play was restricted to members who had logged in at least once since August 5, 2005. No more 5000 RS-classic accounts banned"] - RuneScape Customer Support News, accessed March 4, 2006.</ref>
Jagex Ltd formed: In December of 2001 Jagex Limited was founded as a commercial operation to take over the running of RuneScape. Jagex acquired RuneScape and all related technologies, and continued to develop the game further. Andrew Gower joined Jagex as its lead developer.
Members the focus of the game.
Version 4: Jagex went for yet another complete rewrite. Version 4 changed the graphics to full 3D and made many other significant improvements. While in development, this version was called RuneScape 2, but when launched was just called RuneScape (version 3 would later be renamed RuneScape Classic). An incomplete beta of this version was available to members on December 1, 2003. The finished version was launched on March 29, 2004. This is the current version of the game being RuneScape.
On January 19, 2006, 15,000 accounts in the 4th version were banned for macroing (using software to play the game automatically in order to gain an unfair advantage).Cite error: A <ref> tag is missing the closing </ref> (see the help page).
If not paying by credit/debit card an additional 'convenience fee' is also charged to cover the extra cost of processing the payment. Paying by credit card works out as the cheapest method, whereas paying by phone/sms works out the most expensive.
Members benefits
Players who pay to play RuneScape are given special status on their account. This "member's status" gains them many advantages both in and out of the game, such as:
- Less populated servers exclusively for members
- Over three times as much of the map to explore
- Over 4 times as many quests
- Hundreds of new items, such as the Dragon and Barrows weapons and armour
- 200 bankspaces (More then double the bankspace allowed to free players)
- Six new skills (herblore, fletching, thieving, agility, slayer, farming)
- Huge amounts of additions to the original skills (e.g.: Dragonhide in crafting, Baked Potatoes in cooking, Sharks in fishing)
- Mostly weekly updates
- Access to posting on the official forums
- Better customer support
- Access to voting in polls
- More in-game music (high-detail only)
- Several mini-games
- More Random Events
- More player vs. player features (e.g. Duel Arena, Games Room, Castle Wars)
- More team-based interactions (e.g. Dagannoth Kings, Kalphite Queen, Blast Furnace)
References
- RuneScape new concurrent and active player records - (article is dated 22 December, 2004) accessed March 5, 2006.
- "6 new Australian servers online!" - RuneScape Technical News, accessed March 4, 2006.
External links
- Jagex site – The official Jagex site.
- RuneScape – The official RuneScape website.
Official affiliates
Fansites
| Jagex | |
|---|---|
| Games developed | |
| Games published | |
| Games closed | |
| Related articles | |