high-level players and recognition

[ixfd64]

I know that this can be a touchy subject, but let's try to keep any flaming down.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Over the course of six years, RuneScape has greatly changed, both for better and for worse. There's many things to do these days, and there's much more players.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unfortunately, many of these new features *cough* Pest Control *cough* make leveling too easy, and many cheaters and abusive players have arrived along with the massive amount of new players.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When RuneScape was fairly new, no-one knew that the highest possible skill was level 99. It was only guessed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back then, leveling was much harder due to the limited training options. The fact that the game did not show the EXP made it psychologically tougher. Back then, the top fighters had stats of around 60 and 70, and they were pretty much known all over RuneScape. Later, some players began to reach level 80 skills, for example, Everdred with woodcutting and Tks with cooking. When players hit level 85 mining and smithing, they, too, would be known around the community.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I remember that not long after L6vi and Tks got level 99 cooking, market boards were created on Killgen's forums, entitled "Tks' Treasures" and "L6vi's Lobster Lake". Earlier, when Everdred got level 99 woodcutting, he was given the rank "Master Lumberjack" on the TIF. Of course, only tightly knit fan forums would do this now, because if major fan sites like tip.it did this, they would be accused of favoritism.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back then, 1,000 skill total was considered a worthy achievement. Now, with so many skills, anyone can reach 1,000 skill total in just weeks if they know what to do.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

However at around 2003, there were about 50 people with level 99 cooking. Often times, we would see a player who we have never heard of before suddenly appear in the top 10 position. I guess that's when level 99 stats starded to become old.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back in the day, when someone achieved a level 99 stat, their name would often be mentioned all around fan forums. Nowadays, I estimate that about 200 level 99 stats are achieved each day, yet I don't see 200 "player x has achieved level 99 cooking" posts, etc. In fact, only about 99.95% of such players are mentioned in forums, and even so, it's probably their friends just mentioning them, not people saying "OMG I met player x the lvl 99 cook" etc. Even then, they're probably only mentioned one or two times, not 10-20 times. Personally, I have 3 level 99 stats, but I wouldn't consider myself anywhere near famous, LOL. I do consider myself somewhat well known on tip.it, but it's more because of my community involvement rather than levels! :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These days, if you said you had a level 99 skill, most players would have to check the hiscores, LOL. "Lol noob, you're lying." "Lvl 99 smithing? O rly? Hold on, lemme check hiscores."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think that aside from the amount of players with level 99 skills, another reason is that skills are much easier to level on RS2.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At level 78 thieving on RSC, I can only get like 40k exp an hour at the most. On RS2, it's possible to get well over 100k an hour. On RSC, training ranged probably only brings about 20k exp an hour for players with the most equipment. On RS2, players with red chinchompas can get around 300k exp an hour. Big difference.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now, skill capes. Jagex realized this and gave skill capes so that high level players can get recognized more. However, it's only short term these days.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A long time ago, it would be like this: "Oh wow, it's player X, the level 99 fisher! I'm taking screenshot!"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today, those with skill capes will get recognized, but only in short term. Chances are, the person asking to see your emote will forget about you within the next 10 seconds.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I remember back in 2002, Kingleonardo made a list of player with level 100+ combat. Now, every so often, you'd see a level 126 player walking around. If Kingleonardo were to make a list now, he's got a LOT of work to do. :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I've got some questions for the community:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. What do you consider to be a "top" player these days?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Personally:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

high level: any level 99 stat, 100+ combat, or 1,600+ skill total.

 

 

 

top player: five or more level 99 stats, 120 combat, or 2,000 skill total

 

 

 

legendary: 10 or more level 99 stats, 126 combat, or 100,000,000+ exp in any skill)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. For high level players: Do you get recognized by many players due to your level? Not because they recognize your cape, but your name?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Personally: Not really)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. For those with level 99 stats: When people ask you to do the emote, do you find it annoying? A compliment?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Personally: a compliment.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In closing, I'd say that those players with level 99 stats owe a lot of the original skillers like Everdred, who inspired other people with level 99 stats, and so on. If it weren't for people like Everdred, it's a safe bet that there would much fewer level 99 people today.)

[Dalcyte]

i think we have a lot to remember from where everything started off, but not aimed at you in personally, but we have to stop saying "OMG RSC P0WNZ RS2!!!" (you didn't say that, your thread was very mature and it was a great read, but i really have seen that before), ok sure it was nice, the people there were great and everyone knew eachother. But games become more popular, and with more popularity comes more people, more people bring new aspects like scamming and autoing...just like any cool place, it becomes crowded as the word gets out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But on to what you were saying, we do have much to owe from the oldies, and how famous people were...I still think that's true to some extent, i'll know a famous guy if i see him probably. But more people get more levels, and those levels become more and more common as more people play, its only expected really. 99 used to be a great achievement, and it still is in a LOT of regards, but more people play, and thus more people=more levels.

[Sharcoth]

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[Lordjake]

I consider a "top player" to be someone who has held a position in the top 21 for any skill or overall, for at least a few months.... or someone who has an overall skill average over 85 or 90.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Top f2p players are a bit different, but mostly the same as p2pers. Anyone with 1250 total, or any f2per in the top 100 for a skill I consider to be in the top tier of nonmembers.

[-Devoted12-]

i think we have a lot to remember from where everything started off, but not aimed at you in personally, but we have to stop saying "OMG RSC P0WNZ RS2!!!" (you didn't say that, your thread was very mature and it was a great read, but i really have seen that before), ok sure it was nice, the people there were great and everyone knew eachother. But games become more popular, and with more popularity comes more people, more people bring new aspects like scamming and autoing...just like any cool place, it becomes crowded as the word gets out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But on to what you were saying, we do have much to owe from the oldies, and how famous people were...I still think that's true to some extent, i'll know a famous guy if i see him probably. But more people get more levels, and those levels become more and more common as more people play, its only expected really. 99 used to be a great achievement, and it still is in a LOT of regards, but more people play, and thus more people=more levels.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exactly... More people= more levels= more people to find more efficient ways to train. I think that a lot of members would be complaining if they still got 20k an hour for range. They'd be getting bored. Yeah, RSC was with more mature players, so we handled the game with the 20k an hour with no problem. Now, there are less mature kid's, but that is expected because of the huge growth of the community. You also have autoers, which will get 99's sometimes without Jagex ever knowing. It's harder to track the top people out of soo many people whereas in Classic, there was less players, the game was new so a kid off tutorial island could get level 10 cooking and be AMAZING! Lol. I guess my point is more people brings more things to the game, and Jagex has to keep up with the rapid growth.

[nomader]

I don't really look at skills so much. For me it would be more appropriate to say veteran player. If you are walking around with a scythe or bunny ears; If you are talking knowledgeably about what it was like back in good ole 2001; Then to me you are a veteran. Anymore skills aren't a real mark. I have found alot more recognition with my quest cape then I have ever seen my friends with 99s get recognized (maybe that is just because people think you must be weird to want to keep getting your cape back several times a month; "Oh hey look, it's another one of those strange quest lovers...quick take a picture...hey you, with the fletching symbol on your back...could you move out of the way..."). :P

[Tim]

my you could call it legend players are rsc players who have both maintained skills (dont need to have every1 at 99) and still respectfully assists players now an then eg a quest. of course rsc players are dropping like flys trying to marry mortien i do miss the old days but dwelling in the past is futle so ya....

[UptheToon]

I have gone from being a "wow, nice lvl" to a "pfft, pc noob" sure my total is low (in the 1340's) but thats because i like combat and a few other skills and that's what I do, What I enjoy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To me that's what matters to have fun and be a good person, not to be judged by my lvl's and my total

[st_shir]

1. What do you consider to be a "top" player these days?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's hard to tell. I have 5 99s thus I'm beginning to lose track on high and low since I don't consider myself very high. Might be because I see higher people all the time heheh.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. For high level players: Do you get recognized by many players due to your level? Not because they recognize your cape, but your name?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nobody knows me. If I don't wear any of my capes (which I often don't) then nobody even notices me. Which can be a good thing come to think of it:P

 

 

 

Those who look me up are.. well lately there's this new trend of calling people higher than yourself noobs. So I'm noob alot. O well, their problem not mine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. For those with level 99 stats: When people ask you to do the emote, do you find it annoying? A compliment?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's definately a compliment. Imho, if you find it so annoying, don't wear the cape. That helps lol.

 

 

 

If you get a 99 and wear a cape then in my eyes it's kind of a responsibility to show your emote if you are asked nicely. I mean you are the role model in a way and if you were the one asking for emote would you like to be shouted at and humiliated only because you really really like the agility emote (just an example) and want to see it but don't have a cape yourself? Or you have never seen slayer emote. Whatever the reason is, I think if you wear the cape, then show the emote if asked.

 

 

 

On the other hand, don't get cocky with it. Vanity and arrogance aren't nice either.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am relatively new to this game, started in February 2006 so I don't know much about how the community used to be. I do remember however that when I got my first 99 (which was fletching) in the end of May 2006 - people were much more friendly and actually thought it's awesome. Now you're a noob and "oh fletching is soo easy" and "cooking is soo easy" and "range/mage/whatever is soo easy". Sigh. So yes, times they are changing.

[Pyderz]

What upsets me the most is people still find ways to complain how Runescape is to hard even these days. Go back to Rs1 and get 99 fishing and cooking without the good ol auto system Jagex has blessed everyone with these days and then come talk to me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I can tell you first hand that having played around 5 years+ now, that the community is much worse than it used to be. There was respect in rs1, that has faded since the average player age is always decreasing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I play the game because of the mature friends I have made and hopefully I'll meet some more along the way. But if you want to be recognized in this game, do something no one else has, and that is very hard to do today with some of the hardcore gamers there are around. But most of all, have fun with it, thats what you're supposed to be doing in the first place.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I mean I remember the days of being #6 on the fishing high scores, and now I'm 450 something, I don't even keep track anymore, it's just upsetting to see that they've made things so easy nowadays its ridiculous.

[Solidus_77]

It's just getting more and more competitive.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. What do you consider to be a "top" player these days?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For someone specialized, a high rank on a 99 skill (more like a rare skill too)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For a combat specialist, max combat or close to it

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For a ballanced skiller, all 80+ would be quite good

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Personally:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

high level: any level 99 stat, 100+ combat, or 1,600+ skill total.

 

 

 

top player: five or more level 99 stats, 120 combat, or 2,000 skill total

 

 

 

legendary: 10 or more level 99 stats, 126 combat, or 100,000,000+ exp in any skill)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I would dissagree for the 1 99 stat vs 5 99 stats vs 10 99 stats because some are a lot better than others. You could have the six easiest skills at 99 and that would be less admirable than the hardest skill at 99

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. For high level players: Do you get recognized by many players due to your level? Not because they recognize your cape, but your name?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's my cape that gives me the pride, not my combat

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. For those with level 99 stats: When people ask you to do the emote, do you find it annoying? A compliment?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depends:

 

 

 

how they ask (good: wow, nice cape, can I see the emote. bad: Omg do the emote, DO THE EMOTE!!! plz, plz plz. DO it NOW!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When they ask (good: when I'm just standing somewhere bad: in the middle of a fight, or 5 seconds before then end of a pc round)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and if they bombard me with questions or compliments

[SwreeTak]

1. A top player for me is a player who is well known for something he has done, and this top player is a top player because many knows about him/her for what he/she have done.

 

 

 

Also, this top player is serious when it's needed, but maybe humorius when he/she cans.

 

 

 

This person should have been playing RS for a long time and have alot of expierience. This person should know much about RS, how it works and so on.

 

 

 

A top player for me is also nice and calm, with pretty high stats. But it's more important that this player is nice then it has really, really high stats. This top player could also just be a normal RS:er, but who helps other players or on some other way makes RuneScape a better place.

 

 

 

This top player should also be intressted in other people's doings in RS, not only in hisselves/herselves.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shortly said, a top player for me is a nice person, with alot of experience of the game and who is willing to help others, not only for his/hers own winning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. I don't know if I as a lvl 72 should classify myself as a high level player, but in this case I think I could try.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have been recognized a few times by fellow Tip.it:ers, and sometimes also by random people for my name.

 

 

 

Most of the people who have recognized me has been Tip.iters who have read my posts or seen my blog. I get's Hyt's every now and then, it feels like. And I like it (So keep it on :) ).

 

 

 

I don't know how other, non-tiffers know of me. I have met about 3 people who have heard of me somewhere (Maybe by some friends friends friend who're friend with me? Or by the higscores).

 

 

 

These people uses to come to me and say like "Wooooooooooot! Swedishboy7! I have heard of you".

 

 

 

And so we chat a bit, and then this persons go away. But I always forget to ask where they have heard of me :wall: .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Can't answer that one, no 99 here :(.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anyway, I would just like to add that you're right in what you say. I totally agree with you about the change of the amount of people having 99 skills, and how unfamous most of those people are (Except the ones who're in the top 10 highscores of course).

[hohto]

I've personally hit 7+1 times 99 skill, 7 times in rs2 and once in rsc. Strength cape is the only skill cape I own at the moment (next one I'll buy will be probably farming once I've gotten 99) and it doesn't bother me if people ask me to show the emotion. Personally it doesn't matter if people don't know do I have 99 str or not as I don't really believe it's an achievment anymore, but like the emotion :P

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I could say I'm somewhat recognised in some gangs, but because of my late inactivity (joined army 8 months ago and haven't been able to be online as much as I hoped to) I'm pretty much forgotten and no newer players know me. It doesn't bother me as I don't play to be virtually famous. I play because it's fun and there's cool people around me in rs. Skilling itself is a nice extra and can make me feel like I've done something.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you ask me, you either gotta be something special in some community or do something extra-ordinary in rs. Having few (under 12 or so) 99s is nothing now.

[ixfd64]

I definitely agree; these days, to get more recognition, you'll have to be fairly involved in the community, rather than get high levels.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

T.E.T. members, for example. :D

[Claremont]

I get recognition quite a lot.. always about me kicking around in Bunny ears and a pink skirt :)