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Behind the Scenes

The latest "Behind the Scenes" newsletter from Jagex, giving a peek into the game's workings.

Jagex Games Studio, developer of RuneScap e, the World’s most popular free-to-play MMORPG, today announced their much anticipated update in their February Behind the Scenes news.

Wilderness and Free Trade

The first update this month will see the return of the Wilderness and free trade. There has been a huge referendum where over 1.2 million players voted, 91% of whom were in favour of the return of the Wilderness and free trade. What does this mean? Well, in a nutshell, it means that players will soon be able to give gifts to their friends, have access to unrestricted trade, and take part in the most dangerous sport in the whole of RuneScape: Wildy PKing!

Other changes brought in with the return of the Wilderness and free trade includes:

· The new, revenant-filled Forinthry Dungeon, where the revenants drop all the unique PvP gear previously found on the PvP and Bounty Hunter Worlds.

· Limitless staking for members. 

· Improved Chaos Elemental drops (and a chaotic new look).

· Faster respawn times on the Wilderness runite rocks.

· Unlimited party room drops.

· Outside of the Wilderness, gravestones will have their timers increased, and repair/bless costs will be reduced to 0.

The Prisoner of Glouphrie and Gnome Graphical Rework

February also sees a graphical update to the gnomes. With new chat heads, models and even new statues, the gnomes can once again stand proud as one of the best looking races in the game. And what better way to showcase these new graphics than with a sequel to our gnome storyline...The Prisoner of Glouphrie.

Put your Agility, Thieving, Construction and Runecrafting (60+) levels to the test in this most gnomic of adventures. Complex puzzles with generous XP rewards and additions to the glider network await as you explore the fabled city for the one gnome who can reveal it to the world! High-level farmers will also be pleased to hear that completing the quest will give access to a new spirit tree patch and faster access to LLetya.

Pottery Update and New Crafting Methods

Later this month, we plan to reshape the way that pottery works within RuneScape. We’ll be streamlining the process of using the pottery wheels and making the entire process far more accessible and rewarding, giving players other options to raise their Crafting level.

Demon Ashes

We’re also planning to change the 100% ashes drop from demons to work more like standard bones. All monsters that used to drop ‘ashes’ will drop a new type of ash; depending on the order of demon, these will be impious (imps and fiends), accursed (lesser and greater) or infernal ashes (black, abyssal and tormented demons, nechryaels, and most boss demons). These new ashes can either be scattered for XP (just like burying bones), or you can take them to the Ectofuntus for bonus XP (where they will not require grinding or to be put in a pot; just add ectoplasm).

To create a free RuneScape account and experience the new and improved Wilderness simply visit: www.RuneScape.com.  

Mod Mark

RuneScape Lead Designer

- Ends -

About RuneScape

RuneScape is the world’s most popular free-to-play MMO (as recognised by Guinness World Records), from multiple award-winning independent British development studio Jagex. Set in a richly detailed, medieval fantasy world of epic scale both geographically and historically, RuneScape proudly draws its inspiration from classic role-playing games to deliver a contemporary, innovative and original experience for millions of players across the globe as a fully featured free-to-play game, with a popular subscription option of even greater scale and ambition, both running directly within almost any computer’s browser.

Thanks to its character-class-free skill system and elective gameplay, there are no limits to the hero players can become, no quest you cannot complete and no requirement to collaborate with others or face them in player-versus-player combat unless you so choose.  RuneScape’s distinctive role-playing style rewards players who think strategically and play smartly. Its witty, intelligent tone, finely balanced gameplay, epic questing and myriad in-world diversions combine to create a game that has earned its place as the most popular free-to-play massively multiplayer online games of all time and continues to push the boundaries of online role-playing as it enters its glorious tenth year.

Press Contact:

Adam Tuckwell

PR Manager

Jagex Games Studio

Email: Press@Jagex.com

Tel: +44 (0)844 588 6607

Fax: +44 (0)844 588 6611  

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