RuneScape High Detail Version Enters Beta

Jagex has begun beta testing a “high detail” version of RuneScape, their ridiculously popular browser-based role-playing game. The enhanced version sports new water effects, dynamic lighting, high resolution textures, and more. The details:

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.

Sound interesting? Check out this newly released trailer to see the changes firsthand.