This guide is aimed at Parents or Guardians who want to know more about RuneScape but don't have much experience with the game itself. For Parents or Guardians who play games themselves or who have more knowledge of computer games then the main Game Guide will be of more help.
Alternatively you can view our Parent's guide here:
The Game
RuneScape is an adventure role-playing computer game which can be played by anyone who has access to the Internet. Each player creates a character with which they explore the world of Gielinor - the fictional fantasy setting for the game - and are able to interact with other players. The game is controlled using the mouse and the keyboard, with the game screen showing where the Character is and the area around it.
There is no set path for the game or specific ending, the player is free go to any location in the game and engage in a variety of activities, including:
Questing
These are set story lines where the player interacts with the game environment to achieve a set goal, often for a reward. A quest will often involve solving problems and beating puzzles set by the game, talking with computer controlled characters, and fighting a variety of monsters. Quests can take between 10 minutes and several hours, although they do not have to be completed in one game session. The rewards for the quests are normally in-game items, the ability for the Character to perform new feats and access to new areas of the game.
Exploring
The game is set in a large fictional world with many differently themed areas in it. Each of these areas has unique things that can be done in them and non-player characters (NPC's) that the player can interact with. Some areas require a player to complete Quests in order to access them, or to have met other requirements,
Battles
It is possible for players to engage in virtual combat in the game, using a variety of methods based around swords/melee weapons, bows & arrows/ranged weapons, & fictional magics. Combat can either be against computer controlled monsters or against characters controlled by other players and takes place in a variety of environments, many of which have specific rules for fights. Whilst it is possible for a character to "die" from a fight they will also come back and the player is not affected by the Character's "death", other than if the Character loses some of the items they had on them. The "death" of the Character is designed to add excitement to the game, along with a small element of risk, and is never permanent.
Activities
There are a wide range of things that a player can do in the game that do not fall into one of the above categories. These range from puzzle games to challenge events and interacting with computer controlled characters who talk to the Character from time to time. Most of these are optional and add great variety to the game.
Interacting
It is possible for players to talk to other players through their characters; trading game items they have for game items they want, working together to beat the more difficult challenges and making friends in the process. This interaction happens through our Chat System, without players having to give out any personal details and being able to choose who they do or don't interact with. It is also possible for them to report any other players who are behaving in an inappropriate manner.
The Different Account Types
It is free to make an account and play the game. All that the player needs to do is provide an email and set a password to use for logging in to their account, validate their chosen email address, choose what their character will look like and what they will be called. After this they can start playing the game.
Once the account has been made the player has three options as to the type of account they have.
A Trial Account
In certain circumstances, an account owner may be invited to take part in a membership trial. If accepted, the account will have access to the full version of the game for two calendar weeks, with some minor restrictions. At the end of the two weeks the account will either become a Members Account if a membership payment is made or a Free-To-Play account if no payment is made.
A Members Account
This is an account that has finished the trial and has made a membership payment that month. The account is able to travel to more areas of the game world, can use more game abilities, and has access to a wider range of in-game items & activities than a Free-To-Play account. If an account becomes a member it does not have to stay a member every month and will be counted as a Free-To-Play account for the months it is not a member.
A Free-To-Play Account
This is an account that has finished the trial and has not made a membership payment that month. The account is restricted in what they can do and where they can go in the game, but they will still have access to a wide range of in-game items & activities. A Free-To-Play account can be made a Members Account at any time by making a Membership Payment.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Game
Do You Need A Powerful Computer To Play This Game?
No, the game can be played on the average household computer. The minimum computer requirements are listed here
How Long Does The Game Take To Play?
The game is updated every week and there is no 'End' written for the game so it is possible to play the game for as long as you wish. Most players will play around an hour of the game every couple of days, although some play more and some play less.
Can A Player Lose The Game?
Whilst a player can be defeated in specific parts of the game, no part of the game involves a permanent loss or the need to make a new character. A player will always be able to access all parts of the game if they have the right requirements and they are always able to replace any of the items their character may have lost.
Does A Character Have To Be A Member To Enjoy The Game
No, you do not need to have Membership to enjoy the game. However, it will give the player a wider choice of activities to enjoy.
Does The Game Have Rules?
Yes, we have a specific set of Game Rules which we insist all players follow at all times. A player must agree to these rules when they make an account and if we find that these Rules have been broken then the player risks having their account permanently removed from the game.
Parent's Safety Video
Here is a link to the Parent's Safety Video:
