Tip.It Times Presents: RuneScape: A game for the young?

[halo2_rocks7]

Very good read. I agreed with almost everything that you said.

 

 

 

Well done. =D>

[psizovrak280]

ALL the animations of dying monsters are just annoying - they simply slow down the already tedious grinding process.

 

 

 

The worst part about the immaturity issue is that they don't allow kids under 13 to create an account (apparently) but yet they are marketing to those kids in the first place.

[yanksrule]

[hide]

What an unprecedented load of BS

 

 

 

Some games do quite well, and their game flourishes with action, adventure and a feeling that you really make a difference in the game. These games usually have a grand community of mature players.

 

 

 

Some games have a perfect community? Alas no, I play both WoW and RS and other MMO's NONE of them have a completely mature community - "noobs" exist everywhere if you excuse the term and RS has its fair share of them - like so many threads in the rants forum are told +ignore solves the problem of immaturity straight off - its just two clicks.

 

 

 

Jagex took this turn for the young as they started increasing turning their game into profit

 

 

 

Ok, said this many times now - Jagex = company, companies exist to make profit, the world of business is not full of benevolence and empathy, don't like? Go communist.

 

 

 

RuneScape lacked in blood and gore of any sort, so as to keep the game PG to its newly found young audience.

 

 

 

Did RS ever have blood and gore? :-s I'm not sure if it did but I think its a pretty big step to say it was never put in to keep the game for young ones - remember the age of joining is 13+, many 12+ games in the UK have blood/gore with no problems - maybe the Gowers just don't want it in there?

 

 

 

Stronghold of Security

 

 

 

Was a great update for f2p, they got a whole new dungeon out of it, with 4 new monsters, 3 new items and a 10k prize - so it had an underlying theme of security - its now used by many high level members (especially for slayer - Axe man Jack has even noted its use in his famous guide). Hardly an update for all the kiddies.

 

 

 

The quests of RuneScape are simple to do

 

 

 

quest points please? You ever try MEP2 or MM without a guide? Do the quests how Jagex intended and you will notice a severe rise in difficulty.

 

 

 

The themes of the quests never get too scary, and when they do, they always have a happy ending for the little tykes of RuneScape.

 

 

 

Ok here we go....

 

 

 

[hide]Desert treasure: you end up releasing a power servant to the god of evil from his eternal prison

 

 

 

Hazeel's mark: you resurrect an equally similar demon followed by a cult of black cloaked priests.

 

 

 

Devious minds: you manufacture a weapon for a shadowy stranger which is later used to murder two priests and steal a holy relic

 

 

 

Regicide: you kill a king, only to find out you have been betrayed and have in fact just murdered the good guy[/hide]

 

 

 

These are just the ones of the top of my head (full QP ftw) and I'm sure I could find more given time.

 

 

 

last time I checked, demons didnÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬Ã¢ââ¬Å¾Ã¢t howl

 

 

 

I'm sorry, when did you write the rules of fantasy? I could imagine a demon howling, or at least giving a damn good shout. The graphics are improving, just not to your personal preference - dragons are a great example as another poster said.

 

 

 

In the quest Demon Slayer, youÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬Ã¢ââ¬Å¾Ã¢re told to get a powerful sword to ÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬Ãâ¦Ã¢â¬Åvanquish the wicked demon!ÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬ÃâÃ

[zlcoolboy]

I only played for a few months in 05 and it was a lot more mature community. I'm surely not a rs-classic player (played it for around 30 mins) so i don't know how good of community it was.

 

 

 

A web-based game named star wars combine is a good example of what paul and Andrew probably wanted at first to be runescape in a community stand point.

[dorington]

RSC never had a perfect community. I always used to hear people shout out "Scammer!" in market places.

 

Fair enough there is a lot of childish players but there are still a lot of mature players. I see more mature then childish tbh and when I do come across a childish player I simply ignore them.

 

I do however have to agree with the part about childish updates. The darkest quest I've done has been underground pass and yes that was created in Classic.

[Made0f12une]

What happened to scary images like this one?

 

 

 

[cat666]

You know I agree with the article but the bottom in Jagex is a company and need to make money.

 

 

 

Why shouldn't they cater for, as the author put it, there biggest audience slice.

 

 

 

That said I am 26 and do get a bit annoyed with all the kids at times. People who follow you for help on a quest just because I have a quest cape. Is it that hard to to figure out? Is it that hard to find a fan site?.

 

 

 

I've said for a while Runescape need more servers. Part of the members speil on the site is "more room to train more skills" yet recently member worlds have been more crowded at peak times than f2p worlds. Anyway I've rambled a bit, Jagex needs to make some adult servers. Members who pay by Credit Card/Debit card should have a tickbox option to access adult servers where there is no censor, maybe a bit more swearing in quests, blood effects and maybe other graphical differences. This would be like the German servers. As the option would need to be ticked as you make the payment parents could decide if they wanted there kids on these servers so everyone would be happy.

 

 

 

jagex will never realise adult servers, and as for making more members servers, jagex wont make more untill their bulging at the sides, servers cost big money, which makes you wonder why there are more f2p servers, more less crowded member servers would be a draw to f2p players

 

 

 

Jagex have re-worded the member benefits a little bit but this is currently what it says:

 

 

 

There are loads of servers dedicated to members, so you should be able to find a peaceful world for some quiet time, or a world filled with people if youÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬Ã¢ââ¬Å¾Ã¢re in the mood to socialise.

 

 

 

However go to the World Select screen, right now and sort by members per world. The emptiest 43 worlds are f2p. No that isn't a typo, 43 f2p worlds have less members than the least crowded p2p world.

[Acid_Hun]

Great article! =D> I agree with most of it. Though I've never played with RSC I can imagine how the old community looked like.

 

 

 

About the maturity: I think websites shouldn't censor all the blood, gore, bad words. I've been ignoring these stuffs since I was like 8 years old. Really, we can live in a world where is no stuffs like that. In the real life there are, so we should get used to it. In conlusion, I wouldn't mind some more brutality and blood in the game :twisted:

 

 

 

About the nowadays community: I always help those newbies who are really worthy enough for my help. I mean no begging and stuffs like that, just good questions about the game. I remember my old days: i never begged for anything, yet I still got some present from an older player, who I just asked where is the mine :D.

 

But really, would u help a newbie, who hasn't realised there is a world map link just above the game screen, and constantly asks "where is this and that". I fed up with these questions...I was like lvl 5 when I wanted to know where I was, so i searched for lumby on the map. Maybe I did this because I was 14 and not a 7 year old guy.

 

And for better information about a game, u search for fansite or so, or at least ask somebody if he could say one. But those who seems to have lack of intelligence, just ask and ask.

 

 

 

Nowadays I find nobody who really wants to know how to play the game, and how to get information quickly by reading guides on fansites. I found tip.it only by accident, and no doubt it helped me to play more efficent. Still, some of my friends can't belive I know everything (as they say incorrectly) because I've read all the stuff here.

 

 

 

So thanks tip.it, and hope we get a better RS soon.

 

 

 

 

 

...Sorry for my english :oops:

[Foodfight13]

It seems to me that everyone is giving Miniclip a bad name just because it was after that advertisement that a lot more immature people started coming in. And even though I wasn't around before that time, I'm certain there were immature people before Runescape used Miniclip to advertise their game. Miniclip is not responsible for the maturity or immaturity of the players it brings to RS. Miniclip does not control those people nor their behaviors. And it seems now that everyone is making Miniclip the scapegoat. There will always be immature people on Runescape, and there most likely always has been. There's no way to avoid it except taking extreme measures by having ID checks or something absurd like that. Then they could set a minimum age(something in the high teens, to guarantee a more mature amount of players) for people to play and have it actually be effective by getting valid identification from the players. But of course, that's too much trouble and very illogical. It would eliminate a major portion of Runescape's players, while not eliminating the problem and possibly causing more problems. A lot of those younger people, who tend to be not as mature as the rest of us, are also subscribers to the membership, and they are benefiting Jagex with cash. And Jagex isn't necessarily filling their wallets with all that money. It takes a lot of dough to run a game, and it's probably a number we can't figure out. But I know that with more members generating more cash, we can get more updates to better this community that "isn't like the good old days."

 

 

 

I also agree that this author had a very pessimistic view towards Runescape. When did he stop playing? Unless he just quit recently, he has no clue how the game has changed since. So technically, he was ranting about the community when he quit, which could have been a year ago for all we know. I'm not sure if he had too many bad experiences or something like that, but I know that Runescape is not full of immature preteens begging for items and cash and calling you a noob if you don't. Even if that could be a majority of the free worlds. If you see someone being immature, and they're breaking a rule, report them. That's what the report button is there for.

 

 

 

RuneScape has gone from a decent game with a great community game that took some strategy to play, to a cute little game that a 10 year old plays. The constant warning signs when entering a dangerous part of the game just make the game much less thrilling. So youÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬Ã¢ââ¬Å¾Ã¢re walking, about to enter a dark cavern, not having any idea whatÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬Ã¢ââ¬Å¾Ã¢s in there, when suddenly a box pups up saying ÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬Ãâ¦Ã¢â¬ÅLook out! ItÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬Ã¢ââ¬Å¾Ã¢s dangerous in thereÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬Ãâæ You could be killed! ÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬ÃâÃ

[All_Bogs]

I only played for a few months in 05 and it was a lot more mature community. I'm surely not a rs-classic player (played it for around 30 mins) so i don't know how good of community it was.

 

 

 

Apart from maybe the very early beginnings, the community's always been as "bad" as it is now. It just wasn't quite as large back in the days. Heh, we even had a list of people over 100 combat back then on these forums. (or rather, Scapeboard, but that's the same as far as I'm concerned)

[shadow_hawk]

this article was great, it is about 90% corret.

 

 

 

The stronghold of security was a good update, although the warning signs are bogus... you learn from mistakes. Besides, they dont read them anyway, and if they do, they dont think its that bad, so they go anyway, because their ignorant.

 

 

 

And yes, most of the community of runescape is still mature, but there are those few who ruin it for everyone and make the game childish.

 

 

 

Just my $0.02.

[RuLeS]

Anyone remember this?

 

 

 

To the people saying this is all just making RuneScape "just for kids". I say what a load of nonsense! RuneScape is not targetted just at kids and never has been. In actually fact the people here working on RuneScape are all avid gamers, and basically our aim has always been to make the game we ourselves would want to play, and to make what we see as the best possible game. (I.e our target audience is essentially ourselves, and people like us. Obviously everyone working here is over 18). Of course we do have a lot of younger players, particularly because the game can be played for free, and we recognize that we have a certain responsibility with regards to safety, which is why we take that so very seriously. BUT from an actual in-game gameplay point of view the difficult of the puzzles, the complexity of the plots, etc... is all very targetted at people like ourselves. We have a whole variety of different types of gamers here, and so we're trying to make something which appeals to everyone. There are no plans to change that.

 

 

 

Tbh, every game has its flaws. Deal with it. Immaturity is everywhere these days, even in rl.

 

 

 

RSC might have had an excellent community compared to RS today, but it doesn't mean it didn't have its fair share of idiots.

[qeltar]

Notice that Gower didn't say RS was "not targetted at kids" but rather that it was "not targetted just at kids"?

 

 

 

That's not an accidental choice of words.

 

 

 

Look at what they do, not what they say. I offer the following into evidence (more here):

 

 

 

 

 

 

~q

[someone_els]

This author seemed to scour Runescape for evidence of condescension and use it to retort JagexÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬Ã¢ââ¬Å¾Ã¢s effort to develop the game.

 

 

 

I'm disappointed, I miss The Editor :(

[Bobmarley696]

I agree with tip it times this week. Although I am a rather young player of the community I am one of the more mature too. I remember, not too long ago when I could easily trade with any random person - hardly ever finding a scammer, or a dishonest, immature player. Alas the community has grown and you can find these in any city of RuneScape. The game with all the new updates has found itself out of taste for other players like myself.

[Makoto_the_Phoenix]

Notice that Gower didn't say RS was "not targetted at kids" but rather that it was "not targetted just at kids"?

 

 

 

That's not an accidental choice of words.

 

 

 

Look at what they do, not what they say. I offer the following into evidence (more here):

 

 

 

 

 

 

~q

 

 

 

I'm wondering how many times people will have to tell you that the guide was NEVER published by Jagex. Seriously. Take a hint, man.

[Faulsey]

I haven't read the whole topic, as it's rather late, I want to go to bed, and I'm a lazy beggar, and chances are this has been said anyway, but, I might as well back up the point, as from the two pages I did read, the majority were in agreement with the article.

 

 

 

I had written up a huge big... monster of a retort after this, but really, it was all unneccesary drivel :P

 

 

 

To give a quick summary of what I intended to say:

 

 

 

Started playing Septemberish 2002 on first character.

 

 

 

Community then still had many immature idiots.

 

 

 

Year and a half later, or, a year after I quit (First time), RS caught on as a major fad at my school, and I got drawn back in. (The player age would be about 13 +).

 

 

 

Community much the same, though sometimes more noticable immature folk.

 

 

 

Quit mid 2004.

 

 

 

Playing again now to relieve boredom of summer holidays. (Yes, I do go out with friends, but when you're 17, most people have jobs and/or girlfriends/boyfriends, and you drift apart for a while.)

 

 

 

Community still much the same. Yes, there are more immature players... but I've also ran into more mature players too. This is because population has grown.

 

 

 

Game is not easy for young people by itself. Sites like Tip.it (which is a very useful site) are probably used far too often, and make the game easy. I reackon younger players just pop up the guide to the quest they want to do, and use that all the way, without trying to figure it out theirselves. I still get stumped on quests occasionally, and I'm not a "preteen."

 

 

 

I also don't consider the quests childish. Some of them are funny... or at least contain Jagex's attempts at humour, and I can see a lot of that going right over the heads of younger players. Some quests, such as Underground Pass, are rather creepy, others, such as recruitment drive need quite a bit of thinking to get through. Who here honestly didn't get stuck in the room with all the chemicals?

 

 

 

Overall, while the game is "youth friendly" it's certainly not "youth only."

 

 

 

Anyway, even if you older folk are sitting complaining about how childish it is... It can't be THAT childish if you play it and enjoy it!

[qeltar]

 

I'm wondering how many times people will have to tell you that the guide was NEVER published by Jagex.

 

 

Does it matter how many times people tell a lie? It's still a lie.

 

 

 

Written by Jagex employees, copyright by Jagex, targeted directly at schoolkids.

 

 

 

~q

[KingofRhye]

I started playing in about October 2004 and continued through about May of 2005. I just started playing again a couple of months ago. I started at a bit of an older age - 23.

 

 

 

It's a night and day difference from then and now.

 

 

 

Leveling and making money are way too easy now. I was about an overall level of 40 when I quit. It hasn't taken much effort to soar to a 54. Just three loads of gold have increased my bank account by 35,000 gp.

 

 

 

The 'bots and lower level players are beyond annoying. I've taken to leveling up on woodcutting and firemaking with willows. There are about 15 'bots per yew tree. I thought a few days ago that Jagex was making an effort. Random events were hitting most of them, which included the drunken dwarf's aim being pretty good. Sadly, I was wrong. It didn't last.

 

 

 

The lower levels beg and beg for things. When I suggested that one of them kill things for money, he kept bickering. Another refused to understand why I didn't want the grain he picked in front of my eyes.

 

 

 

I don't want to even start with the constant cries of "noob" from players of a lower level and the text message-esque typing skills. I've really considered making my character - King of Rhye - a gimmick. Perhaps ordering the low levels to address me in complete sentences with proper spelling before I answer questions.

 

 

 

When I started, getting mithril armor was quite an accomplishment. Now, everybody has rune.

 

 

 

I also think the random events are too frequent. I do enjoy parading around in my zombie outfit, but when in my first tenure the only positive events were the Mysterious Old Man (who offered money or caskets) and the Genie. If I cut about 10,000 points in wood in one sitting, I usually see two random events.

[TKAMB]

Jagex needs to make some adult servers. Members who pay by Credit Card/Debit card should have a tickbox option to access adult servers where there is no censor, maybe a bit more swearing in quests, blood effects and maybe other graphical differences. This would be like the German servers. As the option would need to be ticked as you make the payment parents could decide if they wanted there kids on these servers so everyone would be happy.

 

 

 

Absolutely love this idea i support this 100% pls :pray: let this happen

[dead2thecore]

yeah the whole thin about kids creating rs accounts is bs and is too easy..there should be an age verification d.o.b (date of birth) or email verification :wall:

[archer11]

i once read in a study the average rs players age was 14-17. Frankly, thats in the rated r age (you have to subtrace atleast 4 years from the rating reccomendations to equal what a person may talk about on a daily basis)

 

 

 

jagex realy makes it annoying by neglecting it and saying its for all ages, but if you try getting in if your below 13, then itll keep you out (go on, try it). The topic in question isn't realy original, its just several ideas already out there coming togethor into a mighty impressive orginization. I pat you on the back.

[Fourfoxes]

I am reading more immaturity here on this thread than I ever see in-game. And yes, that is the author and everyone agreeing with him. Since when does the opinion of a non-player have a voice in this community?

[yamamoto]

All the mean, rude comments, and the cuss words are all coming out of the children's mouths? I dont think so right? You're a noob, go away you (beep). Yeah, I think that is childish, while among of those are from the ages of 13 to 18 mostly teenagers playing.

 

I pretty much want a clean and another world for the ages 13+. It's not worthy anyways.

[Slayer_Jesse]

geez, someone has somethign against kids ill have you know, if it werent for miniclip, i woulda never found runescape, and i am a polite player, even as a newb. so dont just assume that everyone wil fit your mould. however, i do agree, there are alot of immature kinds who think they are better than you... however i dont think jagex has sold out to kids. they still have a large adult base, and its easy enough to find a good community (tip it ftw \ )