A Review of RuneScape Online MMORPG: Parent Information & Safety Concerns for a MMO Role-Playing Game

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

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)

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:

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.

References:

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"