wild

I believe everyone is entitled to their opinions however what if that car were faulty? What if that car was advertised to be something that it wasnt and was brought after the buyer had made a genuine attempt at research but could find nothing that mentioned the car wasnt sold with brakes? Who would be to blame then? Certainly the parents for allowing the child to have access to the car or in this case the game. And not to forget the child, for the child is not above blame. But also the makers who advertise something that is not entirely true to its nature. Again hiding behind the statement "its just a game" is going to become weaker and weaker as popularity for the internet and online gaming grows. Most online games are just babies in comparison to many big businesses out there. There must come a time when one developer is big enough to step out from the crowd and lead instead of follow. Responsibilty lies in the hands of everyone involved. Players, parents and developers.

It seems very few people choose to look beyond the words of the author and ask questions such as... What is the authorÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬Ã¢ââ¬Å¾Ã¢s motivation? Why is he focusing on the negative aspects? It seems most are quick to judge. ItÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬Ã¢ââ¬Å¾Ã¢s the parents fault! ItÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬Ã¢ââ¬Å¾Ã¢s not Jagex's problem! It can't be fixed! Players should be over 13! Well perhaps the author would like Jagex to work in unison with the parents, to make this game as they describe it or at least offer and unbiased view of the game the way it actually is. Personally I feel Jagex created the game therefore they (along with the parents) must assume some responsibility. Which they have done in part. But they could do so much more. So why shouldnÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬Ã¢ââ¬Å¾Ã¢t they? If they have the power to create a healthy playing environment, why donÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬Ã¢ââ¬Å¾Ã¢t they? Why do they allow the scamming and the cheating to go mostly unpunished? I feel RS would be a much nicer community to be involved in if rule breakers actually had some fear of consequence. But they donÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬Ã¢ââ¬Å¾Ã¢t. Rule 2 is ignored if you are in or near the wilderness. It is all but encouraged by Jagex or dismissed with weak excuses. It really does surprise me that so many people find argument in something that was so obviously designed to open some eyes and hopefully create change for the better. I for one donÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬Ã¢ââ¬Å¾Ã¢t want much. I want Jagex endorsed scamming stopped. I want the rules to apply to everyone. I want unruly players to feel as if there will be consequences to their actions. Not some pathetic excuse for a report function. I want customer support to actually support customers. I want Jagex to listen when serious issues are raised by the paying parents and not dismiss them like 13 year olds whining about a strength bonus. Is this so much to ask from a multi million dollar company? If the only way to get their attention is to throw the negative aspects at them and amplify them to the extent that people sit up and take notice, then so be it. I am all for anything that might make Runescape a nicer place to play.

The problem though is that the rules dont cut it. Rule 2 you must not scam or decieve another player - unless you abuse a bug and drag them into the wilderness against their will. The rules dont tell the parents that Catherby should be avoided because the language is disgusting. The rules dont tell parents about the scams and the lures outside wildy. The rules dont tell the parents that the report abuse button is the equivilent of bashing your head against a brick wall. The rules dont tell the parents about the kinds of players they are likely to encounter in world 2. The rules arent enough, so we go to the knowledge base, which also doesnt have that information. So where do the parents turn for the real information?

It seems a few people are concerned that this article makes Jagex look bad, that we should not blame Jagex, but the players. Granted, some players are the ones who need an attitude adjustment, that goes without saying. However the two major influences in the way the players behave are the parents and Jagex. The parents have no real clue about the real goings on within Runescape. Unless they sit and play for a serious length of time, they will not understand. They cannot refer to the knowledge base for an unbiased, full understanding of the game. Therefore parents can only do so much. This leaves Jagex. If they wish to sugar coat the game in order to attract more paying customers then i feel they need to step up and make this game as they describe it. Safe and educational at least to a certain extent. Without the abuse of bugs and the advocation of things such as luring. I dont think the author's intention was bad. I think the author loves this game and like many others is sitting and watching it go down hill, while almost all media related to RS is made to seem like RS is the greatest game on earth with no real problem that cant be fixed promptly by their outstanding customer support. Pfft.....

The new rule regarding players being over the age of 13 was introduced in 2005 i believe. Jagex adopted it in early 2006. (My dates could be off but the facts remain the same) The game was open to people above the age of 7 years old previous to this introduction anyone who made their account before the change was able to keep it. Also as quoted above me, yes they are not able to create their own account now until they are 13. However they may still play the game with parental supervision.

Today i found an interesting article about the negative aspects of Runescape. It mentions alot of the problems within Runescape and makes for a good read. http://www.twitchguru.com/2007/03/26/runescape_exposed/index.html Anyone in Europe having trouble accessing the article, please try this link? http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/2007/03/27/runescape_exposed_uk/ Interestingly most people seem to think that the parents should educate their children. I agree. The question is.... Who will educate the parents?