Runescape
From Mod Mania
Runescape, the biggest MMORPG (fantasy massively multiplayer online role-playing game created by a producer of online computer games based in Cambridge, called Jagex. The game launched online in 2001 in a 2D version, after a huge success in people creating their own user they have decided to update the game immediately to 3D. After 9 years of constant updates, Runescape has now got 10 million active users. As all RPG games have a map, the Runescape’s atlas was called Gielinor. It is set in the mediaeval time frame and it is divided into different regions cities and landscapes. Every different area of the map offers different challenges, quests or resources, as a result every player can set their own ambitions and not follow a linear storyline like a First person shooter game. A player has a big variety of activities he is able to complete in this game. There are several quests to be accomplished in order to unlock new places and new items. The skills offered allow you to increase the wealth, power of your character and give you the ability to do different things as you level up. The leveling scale is 1-99 for each skill. The higher the number the longer it takes for the next level. Players also have the facility to interact with one another by trading items and to participate in minigames and other activities such as duel arena or collaborative arenas which you cooperate with other players to achieve a higher reward.
On 16 may 2006, Jagex, the producer of the game improved the loading time reducing its memory consumption and increasing the game’s speed. To improve the quality of the RPG system they also introduced an option for player to enables them to play with a superior quality in terms of graphics. The servers of the game were added gradually on request of the players by guiding them through a short survey asking for their nationality in order to improve their connection while playing the game from home. The last count of servers from the UK was in August 2009, they recorded 171 servers which were scattered around the world and moved or added depending on the demand. One server can contain exactly 2000 players which equals to a maximum of 342’000 users at one time.
Runescape it is a game on its own. It is mainly aimed on today’s youth but there are few exceptions, like some mothers or even managers constantly under stress. They find the game a way of relaxation and communication with the rest of the world. It becomes your own little cyber world which enables you to achieve something you may not be able to do in the real world. Once you reach level 99 you get rewarded with a ‘skill cape’ which gives you a superior look towards the other players. Each player has its own combat level showing. Users with an elevated level in the game, reflect powerful/rich/famous people in the real world. To symbolize an achieved skill (level 99) the character receives a so called “Skill Cape” which emphasizes on the importance and the power of that specific User. There is a ranking system accessible from the website’s main page which gives detailed information about each player’s status, such as: Each level, quest completed, and overall raking of each skill and user. Along with all this, a chat system is implement in the game as well, to enable every player to communicate with one another. There are two types of chat; Public, which enables you to talk with anyone in the same server. Private chat is created in your account with your own rules and your own friends, which has now been labeled as “Clan chat”. Runescape also has a forum for player who like to participate in game discussions, arrange to buy/sell items, suggest any improvements for the game, or simply to interact with the community that has a passionate connection with this game. Jagex had incremented the rules of the game for the reason that players with a superior knowledge in the IT field were able to bend the rules by cheating, consequently making it an unfair game towards the other players. As we have a code of conduct in real life, Runescape introduced moderators looked out for things like, offensive language, bug abuse and scamming. To be part of the moderator’s team it’s another reputation well considered in this game. In order to be one, you have to show respect for the game and for all the other players. In simple words, being a role model. 90% of the moderatos are over 25 years of age, simply because they show more maturity and are able to impose or even teach something. Once you have completed and achieved the skills you wanted, Runescape offers a membership upgrade, allowing you to explore the rest of the map which previously were not able to access, also new skill, new quests, and thousands of new and exciting item which you are able to trade with other players. The privilege of being a member enables you to create your own little strategy clan by recruiting other players of you level or higher, subsequently fighting other clans for a enormous reward. Runescape membership is around $7 (Australian) a month, if you pay yearly they will take 2 months off the final price, to make it more convenient and a better upgrade for them as well. A free user is allowed to use 1/3 of the map with fewer skills, membership on the other hand, has the other 2/3 of the map and 23 skills instead of 14! You must be over 18 to be allowed to pay a membership since there are credit cards involved. As Runescape became aware of many young players passionate about this game, they thought of new ways on how to pay membership. America and the UK sell prepaid cards in certain Shops and petrol station to let these young players taste the thrill of a whole new range of skills and hundreds of new quests. Runescape can be played by anyone and anywhere with an internet connection available, but the age difference determines how an account will be administrated. A12 years old and a 30 years old person will have different ways of managing their own account. The game is very much based on perseverance, and it’s a skill you learn as you get older. Runescape has a tutorial guiding you through the preparation of the skills and how to complete a quest but there is a complexity within the game that not every young player understands therefore they don’t really perceive the aim Runescape. Management and perseverance are two abilities you learn once you enter the adult world.
