Changes
Spelling/Grammar Check, typos fixed: viking → Viking, Viking based → Viking-based, thousand year → thousand-year, more then → more than , a actively → an actively (2), of of → of
[[Image:Runescapemining.jpg|right|thumb|Screenshot of RuneScape.]]
'''RuneScape''' is a popular web-based [[MMORPG]].<ref>[http://www.runescape.com/ RuneScape official site]</ref> It was developed and supported by Jagex, Inc., and based in [[Cambridge]], [[England]]. RuneScape is offered in a free version or a an actively updated subscription version.
Control of one's character in the game is mostly done by mouse, including character movement in the game world, purchasing items, selling, picking up or dropping items and changing a character's attire. The graphics interface is intuitive to most players.
Character development is another strong element of the game. A character begins with low skill levels and raises a skill by performing it. Several skills with weapons, armor and magic are used in combat and are raised by performing them. Monsters (dragons, demons, skeletons, etc.) are found in various game locations and respawn a few seconds after they are killed. Player characters can fight each other in designated game's areas. A further strong point the game has is the players ability to create and personalize their own account.
Non-combat skills are also a major aspect of the game. Players use skills such as fishing, mining, and woodcutting to collect raw materials. Secondary skills like cooking or crafting are used to convert these materials into useful items. Again, paying members have an upper hand as they have access to skills unavailable to non-paying members. Some examples of player-produced items are lobsters for restoring hitpoints lifepoints and "runes" for casting spells.
In addition to skills, there are a variety of quests and minigames which offer useful rewards like skill experience or new items. RuneScape is updated frequently with new content, often on a weekly basis; although the developers have begun to stray from this schedule as they larger updates.
==CriticismSetting=====General criticism===The most common criticisms of RuneScape's gameplay are its repetitive nature takes place in the fictional world of Gielinor, which is based off medieval Europe and relatively low quality the folk lore of graphics (compared to other MMORPGs)the time period. However Jagex recently did an extreme overhaul It is divided into the three major human kingdoms of Misthalin in the graphicseast, Asgarnia in the center and introduced "RuneScape HD," which quieted Kandarin in the majority of complaints about its graphicswest. Common positive criticisms Alongside these are that it is browserthe vampyric kingdom of Morytania in the eastern swamps, once under the control of the forces of saradomin, the divided communities of the southern desert and the tribal villages of Karamja, the Viking-based (enabling it to be played from anywhere) Fremennik in the northwest and that it is free to play indefinitelythe elvish clans in the far west beyond an impassable mountain range, amongst other races and their cities.
The game has also been criticized by some for its portrayal of religion. Various deities, cults and organized religions are heavily involved in both RuneScape lore and in-game. The three most well-known and popular ones are ''Guthix'', ''Zamorak'' and ''Saradomin'',
Guthix, the god of balance, is portrayed as an being beyond human understanding. He has no definite form, appearance or gender. His followers include [[Druidry|druids]] and other kinds of [[Paganism|pagans]]. Like most of the game's gods, he is very uncaring, stating he has no interest in his worshippers unless the balance of the world is threatened
Zamorak, the god of [[chaos]], is an obvious parody of [[Satan]], particularity in that his back-story involves him leading a rebellion against his god to get to his current position. He enjoys bloodshed, violence and death. His followers are mostly deluded sects, such as the Dagon'hai, as well as a multitude of [[demon]]s and other forms of beasts. Game content involving him often includes variants of demonic rituals and [[Witch|witchcraftwitch]]craft. Strangely enough, he is very popular among the game's players.
Saradomin, the god of [[order]] is portrayed in a way very similar to that of to [[God the Father]], both in appearance and characteristics. He is worshipped by a majority of the game's humans, primarily in a [[Catholic Church|pseudo-Catholic]] way. However, all is not well - He is arrogant, uncaring (although of the three he maintains the most public interest in the well being of his followers) and deceitful. His followers include H.A.M., an extremist group very similar to the [[Ku Klux Klan]] and a knights Templar/chivalric order like group named the Temple Knights which many players and characters ingame feel are only using his name as a reason to control the masses.
Among other deities are mysterious jungle deities closely linked to an in-game version of [[voodoo]], a desert pantheon loosely based on [[Egyptian mythology]], as well as many others that play a role in the backstory of the game more then than the current game world. [[Idolatry]] in various forms are also prominent.
==Criticism==The most common criticisms of RuneScape's gameplay are its repetitive nature and relatively low quality of graphics (compared to other MMORPGs). However Jagex recently did an extreme overhaul of the graphics, and introduced "RuneScape HD," which quieted the majority of complaints about its graphics. Common positive criticisms are that it is browser-based (enabling it to be played from anywhere) and that it is free to play indefinitely. Along with other RPGs, Runescape has come under criticism over its addictive nature with players sometimes using the game for days on end.<ref>[[Categoryhttp:Video Games]//www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,22073926-2761,00.html ''Stress over teen's "addiction"']</ref> It has also been criticized for the amount of botters (people using an automated program to perform tasks ingame) and scammers/hackers; amongst other rule breaking problems and the apparent little action Jagex seems to be taking to combat them.
==References==
<references/>
==External links==
*[http://www.runescape.com/ Link to the official Runescape website]
*[http://runescape.wikia.com/wiki/RuneScape_Wiki Link to the RuneScape Wiki, a better source of information related to runescape and specifics. ]
[[Category:Video Games]]