1 July 2008 - RuneScape HD - Members-Only Beta Launch

Mike · **Posted:** July 1st, 2008, 5:22 am

Jagex wrote:

RuneScape has been reworked and now looks better than ever! If you are a member, you will be able to access this update by following the directions below. If you are a free player, you can expect to be playing RuneScape HD as soon as the Beta period is over. Free players who select RuneScape HD will receive a preview of the new graphics, meaning they can see how it runs on their machines, but will be unable to play in it.

NOTE - this is a live Beta. This means that if you lose or win an item, die or gain experience, it is for real - the effects will remain on your account even after the Beta period is over. Please do not throw away items thinking that you will get them back after the Beta period.

Playing RuneScape HD:

You will notice that the website has been given a fresh lick of paint, but your path to the game remains as simple as before. Click 'Play RuneScape' on the new RuneScape front page to get to the Detail Select page. Then click the right-hand button, 'RuneScape High Detail', to select the new version. Finally, choose your world, and then start playing.

To play RuneScape HD, your computer will need the following system specifications:
1.5 GHz processor or higher
256MB of RAM or more
64MB 3D Graphics card, such as Nvidia(R) GeForce(TM) 3 or above
Sun Java 1.4 or higher

Once the game has loaded, you can use the in-game Graphics Options menu, within your Options tab (the one with the spanner), to further increase or decrease your level of detail. You can also change them on the log in screen. So, if you are experiencing slowdown, try reducing the number of graphical features.

The new fullscreen mode can also be toggled on or off in the in-game Options tab or the log in screen.

When you have set your preferred graphics options, your settings will be remembered as the default every time you log in on that machine. You may change these graphics options at any point.

If you have further questions, or are having trouble playing RuneScape HD, please visit the FAQS, found here.

Playing in the old detail modes:

To access the old High or Low Detail modes, click the left-hand 'RuneScape' button on the Detail Select page. This option manages to be both the old detail modes, rolled into one! You will be able to use the in-game Graphics Options menu to choose the exact level of detail you wish to play in. If you turn everything to minimum you get the old Low Detail mode, and if you turn everything to maximum you get the old High Detail mode.

Wow their site is slow right now lol. Can't wait to see it.

Adbot · **Posted:** July 1st, 2008, 5:22 am

Snowfox · **Posted:** July 1st, 2008, 5:25 am

Most amazing thing I have ever seen out of Runescape. I can see the stitches on my shirt.

Unbirthday · **Posted:** July 1st, 2008, 5:29 am

Mike wrote:

Jagex wrote:

NOTE - this is a live Beta. This means that if you lose or win an item, die or gain experience, it is for real - the effects will remain on your account even after the Beta period is over. Please do not throw away items thinking that you will get them back after the Beta period.

Wow their site is slow right now lol. Can't wait to see it.

Don't throw anything away, wasn't planning on it but thanks! :p
Can't wait to play.
Already trying to figure out this full screen thing.

I don't think I'll be able to surf rsbandb forums in full screen.

The Xbox Legacy · **Posted:** July 1st, 2008, 5:55 am

WOAH! Thought I was just playing half an hour ago ago ... what the hell? XD

Front page looks incredible, can't wait to see what they've done

CreepyPirate · **Posted:** July 1st, 2008, 5:56 am

Tried the high def full screen mode and got lagged like mad, certainly couldn't play that full time.

Few shots though:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48/creepybacon/0runescape1.png

Check out my sexy hair now.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48/creepybacon/0Runescape2.png

What the sodding hell have they done to my woodcutting cape? It looks like it's made of wood and the tree is glowing, wtf.

Oh and i like the new website design.

Southrend · **Posted:** July 1st, 2008, 6:40 am

If you've played fullscreen once you'll never want to get back to normal screen. That became so small!!

5/5 because that was the highest I could give. It's by far the best update ever made in Runescape!

Adbot · **Posted:** July 1st, 2008, 6:40 am

Alex · **Posted:** July 1st, 2008, 6:54 am

http://img45.imageshack.us/img45/7691/rsuu0.png

I think Zamorak Helms have no value now.

And I agree with Southrend about Full Screen.

Kirby · **Posted:** July 1st, 2008, 7:23 am

The best so far. 5/5. It may be laggy, but that will change. I got a 1650x1050 yesterday so I get to see rs maxed

James · **Posted:** July 1st, 2008, 7:34 am

1/5 do not like the new web page and i dislike the new high detail.

The Killer · **Posted:** July 1st, 2008, 8:26 am

2/5. A letdown for me.

New running anim seems like it's supposed to be comical. Medieval knights are to be taken seriously, you know, like err.... really really strong guys that can kick your ***. And not jesters. Unless he's on a quest. No it's not.

Trimmed fishing cape has a purple trim now. Probably a bug, since a screenshot from earlier has someone wearing a fishing cape with gold trim. Not on my case however.

High-detail with everything maxed = badly shaded godsword. I tried on low detail, and it seems that the godsword is still normal. Something wrong with the lighting or one of the other "High definition" options.

Whip posture is wierd. Just wierd.

On top of that, wearing a skillcape and a skirt will make the skirt go through the cape. Unless you're holding a 2h weapon.

Aside from those very annoying bugs, full screen is very nice to see, with one drawback. No more multitasking with fullscreen.

Big Karliny · **Posted:** July 1st, 2008, 9:35 am

cool but soo buged and those zammy helm look is a bug so yh looking forward for all bugs fixed up but i guess welcome rs3

Jasonmrc · **Posted:** July 1st, 2008, 9:51 am

1/5 (Too bad there's no negatives)

This update will prevent many veteran and new players from playing due to their computers not being able to run the game engine (or lagging slightly/severely when doing so).

Now I know nobody is forced to use the HD version (yet. Oh yes, we all know they will change over to it in time) but has anyone noticed how the supposedly "old" details run? They lag. I'm not sure if this is caused by a bug because of their massive changes or if it's permanent. If it's permanent then they're going to lose alot of players.

About the new HD requirements...

Quote:

To play RuneScape HD, your computer will need the following system specifications:
1.5 GHz processor or higher
256MB of RAM or more
64MB 3D Graphics card, such as Nvidia(R) GeForce(TM) 3 or above
Sun Java 1.4 or higher

Many computers don't have graphics cards with on board RAM. If I was going to upgrade my graphics card to have on board RAM I wouldn't play RS, it's not good enough. I'd upgrade to 256 or 512 on board RAM and then play GW, AOE3, WOW, or many other games which beat RS.

I don't really see their point in "upgrading" their graphics. Browser games are not supposed to have client game graphics.

About their homepage...

Where's the Manual, the Questhelp, the GE? Not to mention the absence of the KB. I know where the first three have gone, they're in a drop-down labeled "Game Guide". And where are the rules, the ones you must read, obey, and fully understand? They're hiding in the drop-down menu too.

They seem to be making their site less user-friendly.

These are just my opinions. I respect the opinions of others and I know some people may like this. I'm just trying to show some problems Jagex has made for themselves.

gamer4250 · **Posted:** July 1st, 2008, 10:28 am

All I can say is this update is massive awesome. The only real downsides are the tons of graphical glitches, but those probably will be fixed in a week or 2 considering how fast they usually are fixed. The lag is probably something that could easily be dealt with as well, and hey, there's a system update going on now :roll:

Besides, after playing for about 20 minutes the lag has pretty much completely disappeared. However, when playing in crowded areas it always seems to freeze

Also the reason all the stuff on the main page is gone...

Quote:

We are currently performing maintenance on some of our web systems.

During this time, the following areas of the website will be unavailable:

* The Grand Exchange

We apologise for the inconvenience and are aiming to restore service as soon as possible.

Jasonmrc · **Posted:** July 1st, 2008, 10:35 am

gamer4250 wrote:

Also the reason all the stuff on the main page is gone...

Quote:

We are currently performing maintenance on some of our web systems.

During this time, the following areas of the website will be unavailable:

* The Grand Exchange

We apologise for the inconvenience and are aiming to restore service as soon as possible.

That's not what I mean. The GE was functioning fine (except for a bit of lag) when I posted before and it's operating the same way now.

I'm stating the fact that it is no longer easily seen from the front page.

Chumbucket · **Posted:** July 1st, 2008, 10:37 am

so far it's looking pretty awesome... i rated it a 4 only because of the lag. I have had the game freeze on me twice already, and i have a high end computer. Overall the update is pretty sweet, and glitches are to be expected since it's beta. One last comment. I think runescape should add a zoom feature pretty soon, much like other mmo's, I believe it would really add to the game.

... i played the game a little more and... the lag is unbearable, i ended up resorting to a quick chat world on low detail...
2/5 till they get that fixed