So, I've never played a video game before...

[Spimuncular]

Due to the rather frustrating nature of this no doubt repetitive question, I feel I must begin my post with an explanation.

 

I am 22 years old (23 in a month. Gettin' old...) and I have never, ever played a video game. I spent a few hours playing Tekken as a child but the games console belonged to my brother and he did not want his "little sis" ruining his new toy.

 

I have been convinced to dive head first into the gaming world with an online title. I have no idea how I was talked into accepting such a ridiculous notion, but there ya go. I have just made my account (Spimuncular, as in my forum title) and I feel completely daunted and lost.

 

I am not looking for handouts as I am determined to make it on my own in this new venture, but I throw myself upon the masses as I ask a simple question:

 

What the heck do I do?! What is the best way for a complete beginner to gaming in general to succeed in Runescape? What should be my first step? (Aside from joining this forum, as advised by the cretin who talked me into this mad notion).

 

Also, is there any way I can modify my appearance? I got distracted during character creation and kinda got stuck with an ugly character...

 

Thanks for your help. Sorry if my question has been answered countless times before. I am just completely lost. :ohnoes:

[Ginger_Warrior]

Combat is obviously the main focus on RuneScape and that's really where your focus should be. Working on slayer gives a good all-round overview on combat for a beginner, I'm sure everyone has their own ways of discovering the game and really the whole point is to explore for yourself, using sites like this to guide you rather than tell you what to do.

 

Honestly though, of all the games to start with... why RuneScape? Compared to some console titles, the grind and the monotony of daily RS life really isn't that great for a first experience. It's like having your first love with someone who wants to settle down at 18 and watch TV every night, rather than someone who wants to go out to a nightclub and have a fun time.

[Spimuncular]

Yeah, I've already made a start on combat and I'm starting to get the hang of it. I have always been a quick learner, so hopefully I'll find my feet sometime soon! :D Thanks for your advice, I'll look into Slayer once I get a good grip on the control system. ;) Honestly, I'm used to using my keyboard for typing and browsing facebook. Applying actions to the different keys is confusing for me but I'll get there! :D

 

I probably sound strange to some of you, since this is going to be second nature. But to me it's like learning a whole new language. I have to start with the basic framework and then work my way up. It's why I joined a web forum straight away; I figured the information on this website would help me get started so I'm not a total newbie to the world of Runescape!

 

I don't know why I chose Runescape; gaming isn't exactly something I've been planning to pick up as a hobby and I could apply the question of "Why this one?" to any game I tried to play. A random shot in the dark in the realm of free video games seemed like the best idea at the time. As for the grind and monotony; I'm a university student who works pretty much every free hour of my week. I'm used to it. ;)

[Arceus]

There's a limited amount one can say to help over a forum, but I would be happy to chat with you through the game system if you don't mind me adding you.

 

One piece of advice is to be weary of trusting people (including me) with any of your virtual stuff. You would be surprised how low people would go to scam you out of a little bit of money.

 

To modify your appearance, go to the Makeover Mage. You can search online where people have produced better illustrations than I could ever do in words as to its location.

[Spimuncular]

People scam for virtual money? Wow, sounds like video games are more realistic than I thought . . . I'll be very careful with my earnings, as I am in real life. Thank you for your advice. :)

 

I googled "Runescape makeover mage" and found an excellent guide to find him/her. Thanks! :D

[Arceus]

I added you as a friend but your "pm" (the private tab of the chat) seems to be on friends only, or you're offline :P...

[Spimuncular]

I'm online, but apparently I can't change my settings or something because I'm still in the tutorial. :) Thanks for the add. I will try not to be too hopeless if you decide to say hi ingame! :D

[Arceus]

Alright. Enjoy the tutorial and hopefully I will see you online before too long :).

[MonkeyChee]

Runescape was pretty much the first video game I played properly too, as I didn't have access to consoles ect. It may be a strange choice but i'm still playing so I'd say it was a good one :P In terms of advice all I can say really is explore everything you can, though it will probably be overwhelming at first. I'll add you in-game too when I'm next online.

[Platinum_Myr]

I hope you enjoy your time on RS! :) I always recommend doing quests early on, as you can gain access to new areas as well as some decent XP rewards. Combat is great to level up, and all. Keep in mind what type of game you're getting into, which is a long time character building type of game. It is a big difference from board games or card games.

[Dusk Souls]

The task set from Lumbridge is incredibly useful to start knowing the game, plus it gives some monetary rewards that help A LOT in the beginning.

 

Good Luck and welcome to both Runescape and the forums!!

[Danqazmlp]

I would say immediately don't let Runescape tarnish games for you.

 

Runescape has some incredibly good things that you will enjoy and are as good as any game out there, but there are also a lot of things that could easily turn anybody away from online games, such as scammers and people who will flame (have a go at you) for the most simple of actions. I do hope you enjoy Runescape though, as it can be very fun.

 

I'd also suggest if you want to get into games, online games are not the only route (although often the cheapest). As you have a PC/Laptop, I would suggest trying some single player games such as Fable 1/2 as they are incredibly good games and while being fairly easy, have some very unique content.

[homer205]

Yeah, people can scam for barely anything, the anonymity of the internet can bring out the worst in some people. I would recommend trying out each of the skills though you'll only be able to do some (as I'm assuming you're free to play currently) and seeing what you like. The actual objectives of the game are fairly open ended though most people tend to train their skills to high levels and accumulate wealth. The game also has various quests which you can do which can be started by talking to npcs (yellow dots on the minimap which aren't fightable monsters).

 

Another website which you might find helpful due to a familiar layout is the http://runescape.wikia.com/wiki/RuneScape_Wiki

[D. V. Devnull]

Hi, Spimuncular... :)

 

It looks like the combat-crazed nuts got to you before I arrived. (I say that somewhat jokingly, BTW. I don't intend offense to them at all.) :wacko:

 

Anyway, I don't know if you're particularly into combat yourself. But, if you're not into it (and therefore more like myself in that aspect) that much, then you'll find there are a whole ton of non-combat things to do. There are even competitive things you can do with/against other players, without killing. I'll leave it to you as to choosing what you wish to do, but know that you can make your way in RuneScape even without ever having to get particularly violent, albeit there are some challenges which that path presents. Heck, you could even choose a mildly violent path if you want, or really violent (like the others have suggested) if that's your persuasion. ;)

 

There is, however, a warning which I must give. To avoid finding yourself running into any major ceilings in RS, make sure to keep your non-combat skills well above (or equal to) your combat skills. Among other issues, there is an exp cap imposed in Dungeoneering upon F2P'ers who exceed Level 90 Combat, especially if they try to solo dungeons. I have been fighting to avoid this limitation myself, and have had to spend tons of time leveling non-combat skills because I made this error in my RS character's life. I can already tell you, it is tough not being able to self-smith/self-craft/self-cook things that you'll want/need, and it can actually cause you to be unable to get to many things. :(

 

I might as well tell you that I wish you good luck around RuneScape. Maybe you'll find more fun in it than I got to, or you'll get as mad at it as I have. Either way, it will at least introduce you to many things that you might have had a harder time picking up from some other game. |^_^|

 

~Mr. D. V. "Good luck on your new beginnings..." Devnull

 

 

(p.s.: While I am retired from RuneScape, you can occasionally find me if you're looking in the right places. Heck, I even belong to Tip.It's Unofficial "HYT" Clan, so you might wish to watch that channel as a guest. I'll be glad to help you get well on your feet, and even show you a few tricks/options, should you decide to track me down.)

 

 

(EDIT: p.p.s: Yikes... A half-dozen more posts while I was typing this one... I wish I was faster at thinking and typing these. :-? )

Edited February 18, 2012 by D_V_Devnull

[Arceus]

You can get around that cap fairly easily with a group-and I bet Spimuncular is thoroughly confused now. :P

[enfield]

it pains me to see rs promoted like this. have fun interfacing with a simulated, fictional landscape.

[highlanders]

You're probably best off staying away from videogames in general. When you start you can't stop. ;)

[brad1431]

welcome to the game, let me know if you have any questions or need help

[Spimuncular]

Wow, I got distracted by Runescape and missed a lot of replies. :P

 

I have immediately found myself drawn into this virtual world. I am a voracious reader of fantasy literature, so actually experiencing an adventure like this is quite a shock to me. I probably sound strange to some of you, but this really is an entirely new experience for me. :)

 

Your advice has all been very helpful, and those people who have added me I thank you. The welcome I have already received has proven this is definitely a game and community I wish to be a part of. Thank you all for your advice. <3:

[Arceus]

Did you finish the tutorial?

[The_Gabe]

Wow, I got distracted by Runescape and missed a lot of replies. :P

 

I have immediately found myself drawn into this virtual world. I am a voracious reader of fantasy literature, so actually experiencing an adventure like this is quite a shock to me. I probably sound strange to some of you, but this really is an entirely new experience for me. :)

 

Your advice has all been very helpful, and those people who have added me I thank you. The welcome I have already received has proven this is definitely a game and community I wish to be a part of. Thank you all for your advice. <3:

 

You're in for a surprise, lol.

[Arceus]

Wow, I got distracted by Runescape and missed a lot of replies. :P

 

I have immediately found myself drawn into this virtual world. I am a voracious reader of fantasy literature, so actually experiencing an adventure like this is quite a shock to me. I probably sound strange to some of you, but this really is an entirely new experience for me. :)

 

Your advice has all been very helpful, and those people who have added me I thank you. The welcome I have already received has proven this is definitely a game and community I wish to be a part of. Thank you all for your advice. <3:

 

You're in for a surprise, lol.

Yeah, I hope you don't get scammed and become disheartened :(...

[Zerker_Jane]

Don't raise your defence level.

[Quest_Cape_K]

Don't raise your defence level.

Do NOT listen to this, play the way you feel like playing and learn about all the different things you can do. I miss being the noob I was back in the day, paying people 500gp to take me to the dwarven mine because I didn't know where it was.

[Zerker_Jane]

Don't raise your defence level.

Do NOT listen to this, play the way you feel like playing and learn about all the different things you can do. I miss being the noob I was back in the day, paying people 500gp to take me to the dwarven mine because I didn't know where it was.

 

def nub