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    | Back to current news | Archive 12.6 - 26.7 |    
           

 

           
    5.12.2001: Equipment requirements.    
           
   

IT has happened. Equipment has level requirements... Read below...

Latest RuneScape News - 5th December

The level requirement poll has finished. Since the majority of the players favoured this change it will be going ahead.

I am fully aware that some smiths and miners feel this will disadvantage them. However remember even if you can't use the items in combat you can still make money from buying and selling them.

I have to consider what is good for the game as a whole, and currently the lack of level requirements is unbalancing the wilderness quite severely and making it largely inaccessible for low to mid level players. I am pleased to see that the most players are in agreement with this decision :-)

The levels requirements will be:
Level-5 for Steel
Level-10 for Black
Level-20 for Mithril
Level-30 for Adamantite
Level-40 for Rune

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    3.12.2001: Vote for the future    
           
   

You can now vote for a thing about new runescape feature and how you like it. To avoid troubles, You can only vote at the homepage, not here.

Latest RuneScape News - 3rd December

Due to a huge number of requests we are considering adding level requirements to the armour and weapons in RuneScape. The way this would work is you would need a certain defence level to wear the best armour, and a certain attack level to use the best weapons.

The main reason for this would be to stop the current problem wherby there are low levels players walking around with full-rune which they've been given by a friend (or from one of their own high level character, in direct breach of our rules). Which is considered by many to be something of an unfair advantage.

The levels we are considering are:
Level-5 for Steel
Level-10 for Black
Level-20 for Mithril
Level-30 for Adamantite
Level-45 for Rune

P.S Happy Birthday to me, and to Lightning, and to anyone else who's birthday it is today :-)

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    27.11.2001: Another update    
           
   

More small but effective updates are in. Now trade scamming has been harder and finding friends is a bit easier.

Updated files: Mudclient, Config, Media

Latest RuneScape News - 27th November

I've added a confirm-box to the trade window to make scamming much more difficult. After both players have selected objects, an extra confirm-box showing the details of the trade is displayed. This allows you to check all the details are correct before parting with your items.

If a player on your friends list is shown in yellow (i.e they are on a different server), you can now find out which server they are on, by moving your mouse pointer over their name.

I've fixed another bug with the chat filter which was making it over sensitive in certain circumstances

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    26.11.2001: Small but effective...    
           
   

Yay, the limited stack size has been removed. I like that very much! Here are the offical news:

Updated files: Mudclient, Config

Latest RuneScape News - 26th November

I've made a few tweaks to RuneScape over the weekend to fix a few minor problems: The 65535 objects in a stack limitation has been removed, so you can now carry and trade as much gold as you like. Some people were experiencing lag in crowded areas when a lot of people were talking. To fix this the chat is now compressed, and the chat filter has been optimised. A few other bug fixes, for instance the game now correctly displays your privacy settings in the options menu.

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    22.11.2001: Top 1000!!!    
           
   

It's here! Right now! And we are all happy (except me). Oh.. and if you downloaded the last client, you have to do it again.

Updated files: Mudclient

Latest RuneScape News - 22nd November

The RuneScape top 1000 hiscore tables are now online. There is a table for each skill in the game, as well as an 'overall' table. Click on the link above to view them :-)

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    21.11.2001: New client    
           
   

Something has changed in the client... Don't know what, but you now must download a new version of it.

Updated files: Config, Mudclient.

Latest RuneScape News - 20th November

Due to a change in the way this website works (to increase reliability) I have had to update the RuneScape windows client. Therefore if you use the windows client to play you will need to download the latest version. Thank-you

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    20.11.2001: Small update    
           
   

Andrew just fixed some random chat filter bug. Here are the offical news:

Updated files: Config, Mudclient.

Latest RuneScape News - 19th November

Chat filter "cabbage!" bug fixed. Certain versions of Java seem to have a bug in them which caused the chat filter to malfunction. This is hopefully now fixed.

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    15.11.2001: Fixes and fixes.    
           
   

Andrew is still fixing the filter thing. He also has done some small updates on the side. Here are the offical news:

Updated files: Config, Mudclient.

Latest RuneScape News - 16th November

I have fixed a recent error in the friends list where it would sometimes incorrectly show people as 'offline' when they weren't. I have also increased the maximum capacity of this list from 50 friends to 100 friends. Finally the friends list is now automatically sorted so your friends who are online appear at the top of the list.

I have made a few more improvements to the chat filter. I am still working on this however.

Also I know a few people were upset to see the removal of the 'server status' page, I forgot to mention that this was removed because in a few days time I will be adding an automated hiscore table to this website which will show the top 1000 players in each skill.

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    15.11.2001: Filter.... BAD...    
           
   

No-one likes the new filter, so Andrew is going to remove it. This must be the most short time used feature in RuneScape :)

Latest RuneScape News - 15th November

The new chat filter isn't working quite as well as hoped. Therefore I have decided to REMOVE it! I have worked out a different way of filtering the chat which will be far more effective than using a limited dictionary, which I will be adding shortly. This means you will be able to talk 'normally' again soon.

Also I know a few people were upset to see the removal of the 'server status' page, I forgot to mention that this was removed because in a few days time I will be adding an automated top 1000 players list to this website. :-)

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    14.11.2001: Well this is an intresting turn...    
           
   

There is some intresting changes on runescape and on runescape web site. Here are the offical news:

Updated files: Config, media, mudclient

Latest RuneScape News - 14th November

I have decided to remove all the non-essential parts of this website such as the message boards. I have 3 main reasons for doing this:

1) This saves a lot of server resources and allows me to increase the capacity of the main RuneScape game itself, which is after all the most important part of the website.

2) Moderating the message boards has become a *huge* amount of work lately. I am fed up with all the scamming, swearing, and abuse which goes on here, so they are gone. This will save me a lot of time and stress! I have found that lately I am spending more time managing the website than actually programming new features into the game which isn't much fun and is why I felt things had to change.

3) Better security - There is now only ONE place where you need to enter your RuneScape Password. You should now only enter your password into the game itself and nowhere else! NOTHING else I have written will ask for your RuneScape password EVER! The game login uses better security than the other web-based features, so this means your password will be even safer than before.

I have also reprogrammed the chat filter in the game itself, to use a more effective system. This is another feature which has been heavily abused, and I'm not willing to put up with it any longer. The new system only allows a limited vocabulary to be used. The new RuneScape chat is only intended for role-playing within the game, not for talking about real life!

I have programmed a new server core, which should in the long run be more reliable and allow more people to play RuneScape at once. You may see a few glitches with the new system, but I expect to be able to solve any initial difficulties quickly.

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    11.11.2001: Server problems at runescape    
           
   

As all might have noticed, there has been some serious sever problems at runescape. Well.. here are the officals:

10th - November - Server problems
As you've probably noticed the RuneScape servers haven't been very stable lately. I am having major problems with the linux OS installed on them particularly when they are running at high load. I have spent hours trying to fix this but I can't find a solution.

If you know anything about linux read on, perhaps you can tell me what is going wrong with the OS: My problem is that the timer interrupt (interrupt 0) on my linux box suddenly stops. E.g If I cat /proc/interrupts a few times I can see that the counters for interrupt 0 have suddenly stopped counting up. (although other interrupts are still working). The side effects of this are pretty servere, the system clock stops, various programs break, and the entire linux box generally keels over a few hours later. If you have an idea how to fix this plz send an email to email@example.com

My server: Redhat 7.1, 2.4.9 kernel, Ai7cxxx SCSI controller, 2x1ghz P3 (SMP), Intel E100 net card (I am using the e100.o driver not the eepro100.o which had even more problems). 512meg ECC ram.

I don't have physical access to the machines which are at a hosting facility, so installing a different version of linux or another OS entirely isn't an option. I would have much prefered a debian install, but redhat was all that was available to me. Buying more servers to reduce the load at peak times and hence reduce the problem is also not an option, since I don't have enough money.

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    2.11.2001: Updates...    
           
   

This page hasn't been updated for a long time now, which means there are always updates. Also, I haven't reported you about the latest terms and conditions changes. Well here are the offical news:

Updated files: Mudclient, Config, Media

22nd - October - Updated terms+conditions
We have updated our terms+conditions. To continue using this website or the RuneScape game you MUST agree to the new terms. Click here to view them

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    13.10.2001: Pay to play    
           
   

As unfotunate it is, runescape will now move to pay to play. If you think it clearly, you might see this as a very good thing, especially, if lots of players will start to pey to play the game. If you really don't like the idea, you can still use a free account, but it wont be as good as pay to play account. But why did I say it is a good thing, that the game will be pay to play? The answer is simple: As they start gaining money, they don't have to do much other work than create this game, which leaves them with A LOT of time to spend on creating runescape, which means a lot more frequent and bigger updates! Also, don't know why, but some files have been updated. Here is also the offical news about runescape:

Updated files: Mudclient

5th - October - Optional RuneScape members service coming soon!
Due to much demand we are planning on launching an optional new premium RuneScape service soon. This will bring a whole load of great benefits such as: frequent updates, NO-adverts, good customer support, no scammers/cheaters (we'll kick 'em out), and much more! We're hoping to make it available for just $5 (us-dollars) a month and this tiny amount of money will pay for many great RuneScape updates to come, and will ensure we can keep running RuneScape for YOU.

This is great news, because it will enable us to offer you more frequent RuneScape updates. Some of the first updates we have planned include: A duelling system, more monsters (wolf, giant-bat, lizard-man etc..), lots of new items, sound effects, more quests, and there will be loads more stuff after this.

We hope that many people will be able to afford the very small amount we are asking, if you really can't afford to pay then don't worry, because the current FREE RuneScape service will still be available as well! In actual fact running the free service will cost us a lot of money but we want to thank all the people who have helped us beta-test the game so far, and so will keep it going as long as possible.

Thanks for all your support.
Andrew Gower

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    24.9.2001: Minor adjustments    
           
   

They did some minor bug fixing to the game or something like that. Not mentioned on the offical news.

Updated files: Mudclient, Models

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    23.9.2001: The dragon quest!    
           
   

It seems that they are finally getting over the server problems, and they have updated a whole new quest to the game. here are the offical news about it:

Updated files: Entity, Config, Maps, Media, Mudclient

23rd-September - Dragon quest online!
Think you've got what it takes to slay a dragon? If so try our new quest! This quest has been designed with the more experienced runescape players in mind so it's fairly tricky.
To start the quest go and talk to the guildmaster in the champions guild. From there you will have to solve a series of puzzles before travelling to slay the dragon itself. Only heros who have proven themselves worthy by completing this quest can purchase and wear the best armour in the game. The new rune platemail body!

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    12.9.2001: New client    
           
   

There is a new client program to download. Here are the offical news about it:

12th-September - New windows client
If you have been having problems with the downloadable windows client not working, but can play online just fine, then please try this updated version.

Click here to download

This version has a few bugfixes, and gives better error messages. If you find it still doesn't work then send an email to email@example.com clearly stating:

  • The exact error message you receive.
  • If the program gives the same message everytime you try
  • Your operating system (e.g 98, 2000, ME, etc)
  • Your internet-explorer version (4, 5 or 5.5)

    Our usual Terms and conditions apply to this software. Please read them before downloading.

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        11.9.2001: Server report    
               
       

    There has been some problems with runescape. I heard the servers has been down and something like that. Anyway, they are now fixed, and there are some misc offical news on the offical homepage. Here they are (the poll is only on the offical page, to avoid problems):

    10th-September - Please vote on the new servers
    As you probably know yesterday Runescape moved to a new ISP. Please help me access the quality of my new servers by voting with the form below. I know some people are finding them better, and others are finding them worse. I'd like to know percentages so please could everyone vote below to let me know.

    Moving the servers was very expensive so I hope lots of people are finding an improvement. Also note that I am unlikely to move the servers back to their old ISP regardless of the result of this survey, since I just can't afford to do so. I just don't have enough money for another move due to not enough banner clicks.

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        9.9.2001: Something done?    
               
        It was about the fouth server and here are the offical news. Also, you must now update your client, if you are using it.
    9th-September - 4th world server online
    After many days of work I've finally managed to get my brand new servers working! I've setup a much needed 4th world server, and I expect to transfer the rest of the runescape worlds and website to the new servers shortly.

    Update:Everything except the webserver is now running from my new servers. Hope everything is working well, many users have reported lower lag, but a few have reported increased problems so I guess it depends where you are. Also people have been mentioning they can't get the new windows client to work. Remember you CANNOT run 2 copies of the windows client at once, this means after downloading the new version you must close the old copy before starting the new one, or it won't work!

    Not mentioned as offical, but the mudclient was updated. Don't know what was updated, maybe some minor.

    There are some problems with servers... so I quess it is related to that.

    There is a fourth server being added, the update could also relate to that.

    Updated files: Mudclient

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        21.8.2001: Just a server report    
               
        No updating, just a server report. Here are the offical news:
    21st-August - Servers back online
    Runescape is now back online! The reason is was unavailable last night is because my hosting company 'skynetweb' had a power failure which reset one of my main servers. (so much for their backup power-supplies, and supposed reliability!) Skynetweb have had repeated problems since I joined them, so I guess it's time to find a new hosting company.

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        18.8.2001: Some updating on runescape    
               
        They really seem to read the suggestion board, because this update contained a lot of reguested features to runescape, like friends shown on map and level shown in stats menu! here are the offical news:

    Updated files: Config, Maps, Mudclient, Models

    18th-August - Kill stealing bug fixed
    It seems that in certain circumstances the game was still not giving giving the treasure to the correct player. I have now fixed this problem. Many thanks to the people who reported this.
    18th-August - Lots of small improvements
  • I've fixed the kill stealing problem, the treasure now goes to whoever damaged the monster most overall rather than the person who got the last hit. XP is split proportionally between all people who helped kill the monster.
  • Teleport spells no longer work once you reach level-20 wilderness or beyond. This makes the deep part of the wilderness dangerous even for high level players.
  • People who are green on your friends list also appear as green dots on the mini-map, making it easier to find them in the game, and easier to go adventuring with a group of friends.
  • Your players overall combat level is now shown on the stats menu.
  • 2 more items banks have been added to reduce the crowding problems. One is in east Varrock, and the other is in Draynor Village.
  • Fixed seven minor bugs.

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        15.8.2001: Minor fixes    
               
        The world map was also updated today on the runescape homepage, as well there were 4 new boards added. here are the news about it on the main page of runescape homepage:
    15th-August - Website updated
    I have just updated the worldmap. It now shows the mining guild and the very south edge of the wilderness. The whole wilderness isn't shown however, so you'll have to explore it for yourselves! I've also added 4 new message boards, to give a total of 8, because the old boards were getting extremely crowded. Enjoy!

    Some minor fixes has been done. Propably nothing big because it was not mentioned on the news page on runescape homepage.

    Updated files: Mudclient

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        13.8.2001: Big day for RuneScape    
               
        This day was full with updates! There were more updates than you can imagine! The wilderness is finally online, and the XP show system too! Here are the offical news from the main page on RuneScape:

    Updated files: Media, Textures, Models, Maps, Config, Mudclient

    13th-August - A few bugs fixed
    I just fixed a couple of bugs with the new systems. I've fixed a problem with the wilderness, whereby low level archers were able to attack high level players in the wilderness without being attackable back! And I've fixed a problem with the new stats menu where the XP indicator didn't update properly.

    Also bear in mind that we might tweak the wilderness a bit over the next few days if it proves to be unbalanced, although everything seem ok so far. We are also planning on adding a dualing system which will allow combat outside the wilderness if both players agree to it.

    13th-August - Stats menu now shows XP
    Due to a huge number of requests, the stats menu now shows you the exact number of experiance points you have in each skill, and the number you need to reach to advance a level. For the more detailed information about a particular stat just point your mouse over it, and the numbers will be shown at the bottom of the menu.
    13th-August - Wilderness system online
    The new wilderness area of runescape is online! This is a huge new area which is part of an improved player-combat system which was first proposed a few months ago. A poll on the website at the time showed the vast majority of players in favour of the new system, so we have now written it.
    In the improved system player fighting is only allowed in the new wilderness area. The ability to switch between PK and Non-PK will be removed and instead you just go into the dangerous wilderness area if you want to fight other players, or stay within the current map area if you don't.
    The further you go into the wilderness the more dangerous it becomes, but the more treasure you could find! How much of a risk you want to take is entirely up to you. Some preview screenshots of a couple of wilderness locations are shown to the right.

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        11.8.2001: RuneScape progress news    
               
        There was news about progress over runescape programming. Nothing new was released yet, but they said that wilderness system will be out very soon. Here is news from the main page on RuneScape homepage:
    11th-August - Wilderness system nearly complete
    The new wilderness area of runescape is nearly complete. This is a huge new area which is part of an improved player-combat system which was first proposed a few months ago. A poll on the website at the time showed the vast majority of players in favour of the new system, so we have been working very hard to complete it.
    In the improved system player fighting is only allowed in the new wilderness area. The ability to switch between PK and Non-PK will be removed and instead you just go into the dangerous wilderness area if you want to fight other players, or stay within the current map area if you don't.
    The further you go into the wilderness the more dangerous it becomes, but the more treasure you could find! How much of a risk you want to take is entirely up to you. Some preview screenshots of a couple of wilderness locations are shown to the right.

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