RuneScape 3 Released

Not only is RuneScape still running after all this time, but the third iteration of its client has just been released, with significant changes both in terms of content and tech. Here’s the press release:

JAGEX LAUNCHES GROUND-BREAKING RUNESCAPE 3

RUNESCAPE PLAYERS GIVEN THE POWER TO CHANGE THE WORLD

Monday 22nd July 2013, Ca mbridge, UK – Jagex, the creators of the hugely popular and multi Guinness World Record holding free-to-play massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG), RuneScape, are excited to announce the global launch of the next seminal chapter of the game, RuneScape 3.

The launch of RuneScape 3 marks the beginning of the Battle of Lumbridge, the first gaming experience forged by players, who will shape the future of the RuneScape world forever. In addition to the player-driven dynamic events sculpting both the content and lore in RuneScape 3, nearly every aspect of the immensely popular game has been upgraded. RuneScape 3, which is available in five languages and played in 190 countries around the world, is the most ambitious online adventure experience to date.

(The simultaneous launch of RuneScape 3 around the world has been made possible by the hard work and dedication of our team over the last year,) said Phil Mansell, Executive Producer of RuneScape 3. (RuneScape 3 ushers in a new age for players in terms of user-driven content, story, gameplay and technology, and we couldn’t be more excited for them to write the next chapter in RuneScape’s epic saga.)

Mark Gerhard, CEO of Jagex, stated, (The RuneScape 3 development team has worked tirelessly to delight our community with this significant upgrade. The Jagex team and I are truly honoured to be able to be part of this formative occasion and to provide our cherished community, past and present, the RuneScape update of a decade. Married to the concept of our players determining the future of RuneScape, we believe RuneScape 3 is the most ambitious game ever launched on this cutting-edge future technology and lays the foundation for our upcoming expansion onto tablets.) (Since launch, more than 220 million RuneScape player accounts have been created, we’ve developed 12 years of regular content, and the game is still growing,) Gerhard added. (With the launch of RuneScape 3 we are looking forward to welcoming new and old players alike back to the magical world of Gielinor.)

And it all kicks off with an event too, “The Battle of Lumbridge”, so here’s a brief description of it borrowed from the official website:

Unless you’re currently in tutorial mode, you’ll be teleported straight to Lumbridge upon log-in. Once you’re there, you’ll see – in no uncertain terms – that the 6th Age has started with a bang.

You’ll meet Kara-Meir upon arrival. She’ll explain what has happened to the landscape surrounding Lumbridge; why all-out war has broken out between two powerful factions; and what you can do to help.

You’ll be able to join one of the two factions, and to collect divine tears – fragments of condensed, Guthixian energy that can be gathered through combat and skilling, both on the battlefield and off.

Each day you can collect a set amount of divine tears for your faction – more if you’re a member – and the side which has collected the most after ten weeks will emerge victorious.