Um correct me if this is wrong, but I noticed that Runescape has severe disparities in terms of operating systems and platforms it runs on, even though Java is supposedly the standard in cross-platform development. For example, my intel box runs runescape at roughly 110 FPS on windows, but drops to 25 FPS on linux (both on high detail, on the same machine). On my Powerbook, however, the performance on high detail is so bad that it usually goes at 0.33 FPS (1 frame every 3 seconds) in "crowded" areas (e.g. world 1 varrock square) and roughly 15 FPS when I'm alone, in high detail. Interestingly, after a while of loading RS on high detail, Java crashes on Mac for no reason whatsoever (it usually happens when the extra files are at 97% of loading). This has severely degraded my experience on the game as I am forced to play on Low Detail despite having 1.25 GB of RAM and a 1.25 GHz PPC G4. I have absolutely no idea as to the cause of the random crashage of Java on mac when loading High Detail. Is there anyone who can offer a plausible explanation? I'm considering dual-booting FC4/SuSE just to play Runescape on High Detail.

The behind the scenes section for this month indicates that they are making a new game engine. I'd expect them to attempt wider compatibility.

Um correct me if this is wrong, but I noticed that Runescape has severe disparities in terms of operating systems and platforms it runs on, even though Java is supposedly the standard in cross-platform development. For example, my intel box runs runescape at roughly 110 FPS on windows, but drops to 25 FPS on linux (both on high detail, on the same machine). On my Powerbook, however, the performance on high detail is so bad that it usually goes at 0.33 FPS (1 frame every 3 seconds) in "crowded" areas (e.g. world 1 varrock square) and roughly 15 FPS when I'm alone, in high detail. Interestingly, after a while of loading RS on high detail, Java crashes on Mac for no reason whatsoever (it usually happens when the extra files are at 97% of loading). This has severely degraded my experience on the game as I am forced to play on Low Detail despite having 1.25 GB of RAM and a 1.25 GHz PPC G4. I have absolutely no idea as to the cause of the random crashage of Java on mac when loading High Detail. Is there anyone who can offer a plausible explanation? I'm considering dual-booting FC4/SuSE just to play Runescape on High Detail.

 

 

 

 

 

I'd be ready to describe you as being insane for wanting to run anything other than Mac OS on a Mac... Anyway.

 

On Linux, check how 'nice' the java process is being (priorities and such). You should be able to get a slightly better performance that way. You might also be able to do the same on Mac, I'm not sure. Have you tried using different browsers on Mac? (Safari, Camino, iCab, Firefox, etc.)

the random crashes on high detail occured when tested on Safari, Firefox, Opera and Camino on Mac, and Runescape crashes VERY randomly (for no reason actually...I checked the logs and all) on Firefox 1.5 RC3 on my linux box (which has been hogged by my brother since I installed America's Army there, so much so that I can't even update the software there). The random crashage on Linux is absent in Firefox 1.0.8, but the last time I tried playing using firefox 1.0.8 on that linux box, Runescape's performance was considerably slower than on windows on the same machine. Overall, I think Runescape's Java is actually optimised for MS Java, which hasn't recieved updates for a VERY long time.