Created by Jagex Ltd., RuneScape is an 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."
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.
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:
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:
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.
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.
RuneScape
RuneScape Player-Advisor
BattleOn - Makers of Adventure Quest (Artix Entertainment)