A Review of RuneScape Online MMORPG

Parent Information & Safety Concerns for a MMO Role-Playing Game

Mar 13, 2008
Janienne Jennrich

RuneScape Green Dragon - www.RuneScape.com

Is RuneScape safe for kids? This review of the RPG / MMORPG (Massively Multi-Player Online Role-Playing Game) examines its appropriateness for kids, tweens, and teens.

Created by Jagex Ltd., RuneScape is an MMORPG (Massively Multi-Player Online Role-Playing Game) where hundreds of thousands of people at a time play worldwide. Based in a fictional Medieval world, RuneScape, real people play as their own avatar (character).

There is a popular online game of adventures and quests. However, with the dangers for young people on the Internet, parents may wonder if this is a safe game for children to be playing.

To find out, the author of this article joined RuneScape, and became a RuneScape "hero."

Safety Features of RuneScape MMORPG

Parents should start by reading the on the RuneScape website.

Players do interact and can "talk." Players may "ignore" (or block) or report obnoxious or rude players, and often do. Good players seem to thrive on keeping the game clean and safe for all. Real-life friends can have a side chat without others reading.

JMods (Jagex Moderators) and PMods (Player Moderators) are Jagex staff and respected longtime players with spotless records, are roaming "players" who watch for problems as offensive content, personal verbal attacks on real players, the giving out of personal information and such.

RuneScape Rules of Conduct (condensed)

No language which is offensive, racist or obscene allowed.
No scam or deceiving other players.
No asking for other players' password for any reason.
Don't attempt to impersonate Jagex staff.
Each account can be used by ONE person only.
No encouraging others to break any of the RuneScape rules.
RuneScape items must only be exchanged for other items/services within the game.
No asking for or give out personal details.

Safety and Security Section of this Massively Multi-Player Online Role-Playing Game

There is also an entire Safety and Security Section any younger player needs to read (preferably with an adult). Just a few words of wise advise from this area include:

Do not tell other players personal information. Not even if they claim to be Jagex staff!
Don't tell anyone your real name, email address, home address, messenger handle or phone number. Use your RuneScape in-game friends list to chat and interact with the other players safely.
If someone is making you feel uncomfortable then you should not attempt to carry on a conversation with this person.
Please see our disruptive members guide for details on both how to ignore these players and reporting them, should they insult you directly.
If you need any help... Please contact Customer Support. Have fun and be safe. That's what RuneScape is all about!

Jagex also give links for how to contact local law authorities and will cooperate with law enforcement in situations of Child Protection.

Unfortunately, despite these rules, children may still be exposed to content parents prefer they weren't. Sneaky players have figured out ways to write bad or insulting words in ways that are not picked up on by the system. For instance, writing something one letter at a time, such as:

Lke2: J
Lke2: E
Lke2: R
Lke2: K

They may also attempt to make fake letters, like using "!3" as a B, and then writing a swear word out of that. Players can report this, but by then, they have already been exposed to the bad language or comments. This is the biggest concern for kids playing the game, beyond game play violence, as there is fighting and killing involved.

RuneScape's minimum age is 13, which this reviewer agrees is a good minimum. Per the site, RuneScape was never intended for children. Despite this, they do a great job of keeping kids safe.

For more about RPGs, see the articles Adventure Quest Free Online RPG and Adventure Quest Online RPG Guardianship.

Read about a new Artix Entertainment MMORPG game coming out soon: AQWorlds Final Alpha Testing 2008.

For more G-Rated info on online RPGs, see the website Free Internet Gaming - Online Games

For an assortment of fun and free online games, check out Zertiflyable Games.

References:

RuneScape MMORPG

RuneScape Player-Advisor

BattleOn - Makers of Adventure Quest RPG (Artix Entertainment)

Janienne Jennrich, Self-Portrait, ©Janienne Jennrich, 2010

Janienne Jennrich - Janienne Jennrich, Topic Editor for Kids & Teen Parties and for Hair, is an award-winning freelance writer & webmaster.

RuneScape Triple Trouble - www.RuneScape.com

Comments

Nov 25, 2008 9:58 AM

Guest :

runescape is one of the best online games. to me runescape is life and life have some rough turns but they get better as you go. i would recommend that anybody who want to have fun and live life play runescape. i can tell you "you won't regret it"

from the online player "na kia" if you see me talk to me mabye we can be friends. oh i am a boy. see you online

Dec 2, 2008 1:46 PM

Janienne Jennrich :

One reader wrote a comment including the line "DONT PLAY IT! ITS FREAKING SCARRY!"

One thing I have learned over time that I did not know at the original time of writing this article is that many MMORPGs start of fairly harmless, but do get more intense and scary as one "levels up," meaning that they get more advanced in the game. To increase the difficulty of the games, online games often have harder-to-beat and creepier opponents. Parents should be aware of this and should keep an eye on what their son or daughter is doing online at all times, anyway, and make judgements accordingly. I applaud this reader. If anything online scares you or makes you uncomfortable, tell a trusted adult and get off-line.

Dec 29, 2008 11:42 AM

Guest :

I have been playing this game for several years now, so obviously I think highly of it. This game does a great job of making sure that you never run out of gameplay. It would take me at least 10 more years (or more) to actually max out all of my stats (playing about 30 mins to 1 hr per day). Add to that hundreds of different and challenging quests and all the player vs player action you could ever want, and you have a game that allows you to do pretty much whatever you feel.

The only real issue that I have with this game is the freedom that it gives to all its players in terms of being able to freely type. Yes, the game does filter out bad language, but anyone who has played for more than a month knows that players find ways around the filter system. The players themselves can sometimes be very rude or obnoxious. It always feels like there are too many people who care more about talking down to others rather than just playing the game.

Lastly, the way the games market/economy works is fascinating. All of the tradeable items (well over 1000) have a value that is based on supply and demand. The site also allows you access to graphs for each individual item showing how its price has flutuated. Honestly, I have learned a lot about how our real world economy works and have even learned about how to invest money in the stock market.

Overall, wether you are 13 or 40, this game has something for you. From killing monsters to baking pies to growing corn, this game has it all.

Dec 29, 2008 5:13 PM

Guest :

Runescape isn't a scary game,yes there are creepy creatures,but it is a fictional,mideval game what do you expect!but it is a fun and enjoyable game,btw it is intended for kids 13+ it shouldn't be scary to the.....I guess it's all in your perspective.
and my R.S.user-name is "forthofjuly"

Dec 18, 2009 7:26 PM

Guest :

I have played runescape for 2 years and those where the two worst years of my life! if your a guy this game is PERFECT for you but if your a girl... its pure hell! all the guys are creeps. and you get into all this drama and its like a drug.. if im not on runescape im very mad and misrable and if im on im happy :) thts bad.. i had issues but i finally found thts its a waste of life so i quit AND i gotta say i was never happier :) (its hard to quit but worth it!)

Mar 1, 2011 9:17 AM

Guest :

Dear RS and players
I have had a rising unease about discriminatory gallery pictures and outfits for RS characters. I searched for six months for a safe game with positive, creative and unsensually dressed characters to support. For example as a female archer in RS is there any need for her vital organs to be exposed when their male contemporaries have fully covering outfits? Male and female forms are beautiful and can healthily enjoy their differences but not at the expense of safety or sensuality. Because of the benign and creative beginnings of RS I have encouraged people to play RS, of which five have and brought some of their unrelated friends into this game. I would not have done this had I realized that RS was following a sensual gaming trend. I did not want to support any sensuality, especially at the expense of women as a whole as they will be hammered and propagandized AGAIN that this sensuality is a goal they should strive for attractiveness. It is harmful. I am sad having to write this. I have played this game since 2004 if i remember correctly, being a member for nearly that entire time, and have appreciated so much about this game but now sensuality is without a doubt a part of this game. Will this game progress in this way? What can be done?

6 Comments