By Nikki Phipps
Runescape is a virtual world with monsters to kill, quests to complete and treasure to win. This browser-based multiplayer online role-playing game (MORPG) is not bought or downloaded, but runs off a website using JAVA. Hundreds or thousands of people can play a game together online, at the same time. Runescape is a fantasy role-playing game, where you play the ‘role’ of an adventurer. After designing your character by choosing its physical attributes and clothing, you enter a ‘tutorial island’ where you are introduced to the basic features of the game such as talking to computer-controlled characters or taking part in fishing, mining, and woodcutting. After which, you are sent into the actual game environment to explore.
Players control their characters by training them to become more powerful, improving their skills, or trading goods. Some players enjoy hands-on fighting, while others prefer to destroy their enemies from a distance, such as with magic. However, the game is not limited to combat. Some people might actually prefer to be an artisan instead or simply wander around meeting other players and characters and completing quests. This online game is becoming very popular with numerous players to meet, trade with, and play alongside if you choose. People of all ages can enjoy exploring the Runescape world. You can choose to interact with people as much or as little as you like by setting up a list of your friends.
Every player has a set of skills that can be improved. The more a player practices, the higher their rating in that skill. A higher skill level unlocks new items and abilities. It also gives the player a higher overall rating, which is visible to other players and shows their experience. Many of the abilities you learn within the game are also relevant in real life and are just as varied, from combat skills to crafting and more. Many players choose to specialize in only one skill. Like the real world, Runescape has an economy where players can buy and sell items from shops or trade with one another and even dictate their own prices. Trading allows players to barter and make deals with each other. The in-game currency is referred to as gold pieces (GP) and allows players to purchase whatever they need to live within the Runescape world. For instance, if their character loses health, they will need to acquire food and drink to replenish. If a player wants to attempt a dangerous quest, they will need acquire armor and supplies to succeed.
Quests and mini-games within Runescape also promote problem-solving skills and teamwork. There are numerous problems to overcome and puzzles to solve, testing both your knowledge and perseverance, as some can last an hour or less to several days. You may be required to do something as simple as bake a cake, or something as complex as resolving diplomatic relations between warring states. Quests encourage you to travel and meet new characters. Quests that are teamwork specific require two or more players to work together in order to complete the quest. There are over a hundred quests in Runescape. The free-to-play version is available to everyone, allowing players to access more than twenty quests and numerous skills. In addition to the free version, there is a member’s version that players can subscribe to for a small monthly fee, around $5-$7.95 per month. Members are given access to more areas to explore, including special ‘members only’ skills, items, and exclusive mini-games.
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