RuneScape is a
massively multiplayer online role-playing game by
British developer
Jagex Limited, programmed in
Java. With nearly nine million active
free players and 600,000
paying members, RuneScape is one of the top
online games in the world. 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 web browser without straining
system resources.
RuneScape takes place in the imaginary realm of
Gielinor, which is divided into the Kingdoms of Misthalin,
Asgarnia, and Kandarin, the tropical island of Karamja,
the Kharidian Desert, the Wilderness, and various other
realms. Movement throughout RuneScape utilizes
three methods: foot travel, vehicle assisted travel, and
magical teleportation. Each region offers different types
of monsters, materials, and quests.
Players, shown on the screen as customizable
characters, can see and interact with each other. 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 combat with
other players or with monsters, complete quests, or
increase their experience in any of the available skills.
Players can also interact with each other through trading,
chatting, or playing combative or co-operative mini-games.
RuneScape's first version began as a one-man
project. Andrew Gower started working on the original game
in 1998. This version, never released to the public, was
very different from the RuneScape of today. It had
isometric graphics, and was originally titled 'DeviousMUD'.
In 1999, Gower began to rewrite the game. Despite being
completely rewritten, the second version was very similar
to the first with the same graphics. This version was
released as a public beta for approximately one week
before it was withdrawn.
Gower began work on another rewrite with the assistance
of his brother, Paul Gower. The isometric view was
replaced by
three-dimensional and
two-dimensional
sprites. The game was renamed RuneScape and
released to the public as a
beta version on
4 January
2001. In December 2001 , the Gower brothers and
Constant Tedder formed
Jagex to take over the business aspects of running
RuneScape.
On
27 February
2002, Jagex launched an optional service. In order to
gain access to a more extensive variety of features,
players could choose to pay a monthly fee of £3.20, $5.00
USD, or €8.40 per month when paid by credit card. Players
can also pay through online services such as Pay Pal, by
check or money order, or with their telephone number by
paying additional fees to the payment provider. While not
a new version, because the game still operated under the
same game engine, this service significantly changed the
focus of the game. This version of the game remains online
as RuneScape Classic.
