Behind the Scenes: July

[Saradomin_Mage]

Bringing Home the Bacon – Quest (members only)

 

For the last 12 years, we've been thinking about bacon. Yes, I know! Only 12 years you say? Well, the truth is that the Cooking skill has always had plenty of things to cook and snack upon, so if we're going to introduce bacon - the king of meat products - to RuneScape, we have to do it right.

 

Bringing Home the Bacon really celebrates everything that makes RuneScape quests so special. You don’t need an arch nemesis or powerful world-eating demons to make a fantastic story. Sometimes you just need some crazy NPCs and a good dollop of British humour.

 

 

It is a quest designed around comedy and bacon, with the comedy slightly dark and the bacon extra crispy. It features Eli Bacon - a reclusive, slightly suspicious-looking farmer who discovered the delicious secret of pig meat after a tragic accident, involving his prized wrestling pig and a fire. Can you help him keep the pig population sustainable when this knowledge is released to the ravenous masses?

 

The main quest content is aimed at lower level players but the rewards will scale as you level up, remaining useful all the way up to level 84 in various skills. The biggest of these rewards is a type of familiar that levels with the player and has a choice of support abilities, including restoring prayer points. There are also stacks of bacon and other delicious pork products which can heal 10% more life points than food of comparable levels. Overall, this is an old-school quest with new-school rewards that we hope everyone will enjoy. Perhaps you’ll even meat some other bacon-loving hamateur chefs along the way!

Vorago – Boss Fight with Level 90 Mage Gear (members only)

 

Vorago is the hardest boss we've ever made.

 

Sure, we always say that, but it's true - when we develop a new, high-level boss fight, our first objective is to give you one mother of a challenge. This is no exception. Vorago's a hella-serious opponent who'll need a truly dedicated group to defeat him.

 

Vorago is a creature of Gielinor - formed from the very rock that makes up the planet and suffused with the spirit of the world - the Anima Mundi. He wants to know more about recent world-shaking events - especially if the gods are going to start throwing their weight around - so challenging the mightiest heroes of the world seems like a good way to warm up.

 

 

Vorago is one of the best looking NPCs we have ever made - check out the recent BTS video if you haven't already. His design, animations and the environment he lives in, are truly something amazing. He’s also supported by some cracking new audio, making the whole experience of fighting him something rather unique.

 

Each fight with Vorago takes place across several different stages, with new tactics to learn and attacks to master on each of those stages. His attacks are dynamic, which means they can change depending on the tactics, abilities and techniques you use against him. Plus he’s got plenty of special surprises up his rocky sleeves, as well as several attacks that can spell instant death for even the hardiest adventurer. You’ll need the very best gear and stats if you want to stand a chance against this ferocious foe, and you'll have think quickly, work as a team and use the environment to your advantage.

 

The rewards available are just as impressive as Vorago himself. We are introducing new level 90 magic weaponry - a wand and orb that'll be best-in-slot for kicking out magic damage. There'll also be the raw materials to make level 90 magic armour, which will require a high Runecrafting skill level to create. There’s also an ultra-rare new pet up for grabs!

Special Announcements

 

Later this week on Wednesday 3rd July we have a special announcement related to RS3 to make. Make sure you check out the news posts and videos released on that day.

 

We’ve been working hard on organising RuneFest this year, and we know for sure that it will be taking place on the 2nd of November, somewhere in the south-east of England, UK. So if you want to come along, do make sure you save the date on your calendar. There'll be more information on RuneScape.com and RuneFest.com soon. We can’t wait to meet you all again.

In Other News

 

There's a brand-new tradeable rare in game right now - the Crown of Seasons - capable of changing its form depending on the seasons of the world. You can make one from items found while skilling, or won on the Squeal of Fortune. Take a look here for more information.

 

We're also releasing a new batch of slayer masks. In the same way as the previous set, these masks can increase your Slayer XP on certain assignments and have various other benefits to those looking to slay their namesake creatures. They look really cool too! Creatures featured in this set include banshees, dust devils, gargoyles and jadinkos.

 

There’s also new content coming to Solomon’s Store, including some tasty battle armour overrides and a brand-new pet.

 

Have fun!

 

Mod Mark

Design Director – RuneScape

What is a 'Behind the Scenes' article?

 

Behind the Scenes is a sneak peek at the planned game updates that we hope to launch in the coming month.

 

This, however, is only a plan - not a promise - that a particular update will be released in a particular way or at a particular time. To get you the highest quality updates as quickly as possible, we usually keep on tweaking and testing right up until the moment before release, so sometimes things change or take a bit longer than expected. We aren't afraid to change our plan if necessary, as we will never launch an update before it is ready.

[Sy_Accursed]

Felt a little meh when reading this, I mean there are only two actual major content pieces listed so not a lot to get excited about (especially as someone who isn't huge on pvm so odds are Vorage won't concerned me until at least 2015)

 

Hopefully they RS3 announced on weds is something to be excited for, given the gaping holes in content and their estimate of July we can always hope we got Vorage , quest, off week, rs 3.

[chenw]

PoP expansion for August?

[Drazhor]

Bitterly disappointing month.

 

And the quest having "British humour"...fair amount of people won't get some of the jokes in that case :/

[Blofeld]

I figured because we only got 1 update and 3 mini updates in June, July would be jam packed. But only 2 updates, as much as Im looking forward to them thats just not good.

 

Jagex seem to have made the same problem twice now: they made load of content that could only be released after the EoC was out, therefore there was mass dry spells this time last year. Now they have loads that can only come out once RS3 is out, its caused a some very empty past few months again. I just hope firstly that this wednesday announcement is some relaly good news and secondly that once RS3 is out we can start having a few more 'proper' updates each month

[Wkw]

As a fan of British television shows, and bacon, and bacon, I can't bacon for the bacon.

 

I want vorago to come out today, though. Or at least the bloody Nex instances. I mean, I can't bacon bacon bacon without bacon bacon! Damn baconers.

[Sylpheed]

They can't really afford to hold RS3 back for much longer. One or two months like this is fine, but it's really starting to take it's toll on new content for the game.

 

The announcement on Wednesday really needs to be a confirmation of RS3's release date.

[SwreeTak]

They can't really afford to hold RS3 back for much longer. One or two months like this is fine, but it's really starting to take it's toll on new content for the game.

 

The announcement on Wednesday really needs to be a confirmation of RS3's release date.

 

Don't worry, it will be. RS3 is coming out in like two weeks, I am rather sure of that.

As for this BTS I however have to say I agree with the above posters. Both June and July feel really empty. I know RS3 takes a lot of time, Jagex, but there is something called planning.

 

EDIT: Woot post 4500!

[Mylez]

RF2k13 - that is all.

[Artemis1330]

Personally I never mind light months. With so much content in game anyway, most I myself have never even tried. If it's not the best xp/hour or the best money maker, it usually just becomes dead content and jagex is flamed for it. I have enough to work on as it is lol. I always prefer few very good updates as opposed to 3-4 monthly ones that are either completed in minutes or just shit because they developed it for a week.

 

Hopefully after the eoc fiasco, they are scaling back the 3-4 weekly updates to focus more on rs3 so it's not a repeat.

 

And as a disclaimer, I fully realize many players do like 3-4 updates a month. The above is all my opinion.

 

-------

 

 

No new info on the boss, was hoping for a bit more info. Well the news that it will be crafted similar to pop gear is new. The mention of several stages tells me that it probably requires mage range and melee to kill it.

[Wkw]

I'm totally fine with light months. It is just that knowing what is coming, but not when, is what kills me.

 

I wouldn't be ancy for a nex instance or Vorago if I did not know they were coming out at all.

[Alg]

I love how we usually complain every time there's an update that isn't an endgame boss and are always campaigning for more, and are now complaining about there not being enough content once they finally release one.

[Estoc]

as well as several attacks that can spell instant death for even the hardiest adventurer.

 

There is no god.

[Wkw]

The say they word it, it seems as if Vorago is a NPC as much as a boss.

 

Perhaps he'll be like "RAWR COME AT ME BRO" and then will be like "WAIT IF YOU CANT SURVIVE 50K THEN YOU ARE TOO PUNNY FOR ME RAWR"

 

And after/while you fight him he goes "RAWR YOU DIED BRO DONT WORRY YOU ARENT DEAD DEAD JUST DEAD. COME BACK BRO"

 

And after you kill him he is like "RAWR THANKS THAT WAS FUN, NEED TO STEP UP BY GAME BRO. HERE TAKE SOME OF THESE FANCY T90 ARMOR/WEAPON/PIECES FOR YOUR TROUBLE. COME BACK NEXT WEEK AND WE'LL TRY ANOTHER POSITION BRO"

[Estoc]

The say they word it, it seems as if Vorago is a NPC as much as a boss.

 

Perhaps he'll be like "RAWR COME AT ME BRO" and then will be like "WAIT IF YOU CANT SURVIVE 50K THEN YOU ARE TOO PUNNY FOR ME RAWR"

 

And after/while you fight him he goes "RAWR YOU DIED BRO DONT WORRY YOU ARENT DEAD DEAD JUST DEAD. COME BACK BRO"

 

And after you kill him he is like "RAWR THANKS THAT WAS FUN, NEED TO STEP UP BY GAME BRO. HERE TAKE SOME OF THESE FANCY T90 ARMOR/WEAPON/PIECES FOR YOUR TROUBLE. COME BACK NEXT WEEK AND WE'LL TRY ANOTHER POSITION BRO"

 

And then you get 10 friends to team up on him and somehow he still considers it a fair matchup.

[Kimberly]

After hanging on a thread of anticipation last month, I sincerely hope that RS3 and divination's release will be announced for the last update week of the month.

 

Vorago's a hella-serious opponent who'll need a truly dedicated group to defeat him.

Vorago's a hella-serious opponent

hella-serious

 

ಠ_ಠ

[Wkw]

The say they word it, it seems as if Vorago is a NPC as much as a boss.

 

Perhaps he'll be like "RAWR COME AT ME BRO" and then will be like "WAIT IF YOU CANT SURVIVE 50K THEN YOU ARE TOO PUNNY FOR ME RAWR"

 

And after/while you fight him he goes "RAWR YOU DIED BRO DONT WORRY YOU ARENT DEAD DEAD JUST DEAD. COME BACK BRO"

 

And after you kill him he is like "RAWR THANKS THAT WAS FUN, NEED TO STEP UP BY GAME BRO. HERE TAKE SOME OF THESE FANCY T90 ARMOR/WEAPON/PIECES FOR YOUR TROUBLE. COME BACK NEXT WEEK AND WE'LL TRY ANOTHER POSITION BRO"

 

And then you get 10 friends to team up on him and somehow he still considers it a fair matchup.

 

For something that is the living embodiment of the planet, I think so.

[Golvellius]

as well as several attacks that can spell instant death for even the hardiest adventurer.

as well as several attacks that can spell instant death for even the hardiest adventurer.

 

There is no god.

Sounds dumb.

Nothing more annoying that insta-gib / cheapo bosses.

[Estoc]

The say they word it, it seems as if Vorago is a NPC as much as a boss.

 

Perhaps he'll be like "RAWR COME AT ME BRO" and then will be like "WAIT IF YOU CANT SURVIVE 50K THEN YOU ARE TOO PUNNY FOR ME RAWR"

 

And after/while you fight him he goes "RAWR YOU DIED BRO DONT WORRY YOU ARENT DEAD DEAD JUST DEAD. COME BACK BRO"

 

And after you kill him he is like "RAWR THANKS THAT WAS FUN, NEED TO STEP UP BY GAME BRO. HERE TAKE SOME OF THESE FANCY T90 ARMOR/WEAPON/PIECES FOR YOUR TROUBLE. COME BACK NEXT WEEK AND WE'LL TRY ANOTHER POSITION BRO"

 

And then you get 10 friends to team up on him and somehow he still considers it a fair matchup.

 

For something that is the living embodiment of the planet, I think so.

 

10 friends with the power to defeat gods.

[Ezkaton]

Well shit... What a disappointment. I was sincerely hoping that Divination would be out by the end of the month, so I had something to look forward to - a new challenge that was fun and interactive after I finish Livid and MTA and comp cape - but lolnope.

 

I'm much happier that Viagra doesn't actually specifically drop tectonic armour, but instead drops the stuff you need to create it. So depending how many people kill him/how much he drops it might not be too long before we see the first sets of Tectonic being bought and sold.

 

Bacon quest... Eh... Sure I adore bacon. And yes I love British humour, but Draz summed it up:

 

And the quest having "British humour"...fair amount of people won't get some of the jokes in that case :/

 

Anyways, just hoping Bacon has a higher healing value than Rocktails. That would just be the best thing ever.

 

 

 

Other than that, after a month of nerfs and almost non-updates (yes I count Ascension dungeon and Triskellion as very poor updates - the rate at which Asc bows come into game is too damn slow, hardly anyone bothers with that anymore so they've sat at around 230m for the past 2 weeks. And Triskellion is almost too rare to specifically hunt for) it's disappointing to see yet another month as a let down.

 

I just hope to God that July 5th brings some good news... But I highly doubt it.

 

 

Ah well, back to getting completionist reqs.

[brunokiller]

I'm much happier that Viagra doesn't actually specifically drop tectonic armour, but instead drops the stuff you need to create it. So depending how many people kill him/how much he drops it might not be too long before we see the first sets of Tectonic being bought and sold.

 

Might be similar to ganodermic (on release) in that it degrades at quite a hefty price?

[Ginger_Warrior]

I'm much happier that Viagra doesn't actually specifically drop tectonic armour

Oh you... so witty.

[Artemis1330]

Yea the insta kill thing... really not looking forward to that. Imo it's a cheap tactic and basically cheating, along the lines of us as players being able to use the corner at sara to safe spot her. Insta kill does not make it any more difficult at all, just massively annoying. Really does not make sense either. If I was a big bad scarey "hella-serious" boss, I'd just insta kill everyone immediately, why bother with anything else?

 

KK isnta kill was a big reason I never got into that, and that has a way out of it. Surely Jagex can get more creative at making harder bosses without insta killing players. Well it's not out yet so guess I'll just hope it's not as bad as it sounds.

[Ginger_Warrior]

July is the big summer month for gaming. It's bang in the middle of Q3, and it's when people generally have most free time which isn't being occupied by a holiday somewhere without Internet access. I understand that a "bad project released on time will always be bad, while a delayed project will be good eventually", but not releasing RS3 this month is a missed opportunity.

 

Yes, August still counts as summer and people have free time then too, but surely you want the two months, not just the weaker one which leads straight into the start of the academic year.

[V O R K]

"hella" Very British.

 

And again magic weaponry & armour will be the most expensive :D & :(