VIDEO GAME NEWS: RUNEFEST set for 11th October - Jagex

Hail Mighty Readers and Followers of the Calloused Thumbs,
Our friends at Jagex have let us know about upcoming Runefest, the Festival for Fans of Runescape to meet the deevlopers and other like minded individuals, however this year they're doing somehing a little different.  Here's what they've had to say:

"Jagex Games Studio, makers of the multi-award winning fantasy MMORPG, RuneScape, has today unveiled plans for the game’s annual fan convention: RuneFest. This year players will have the option to attend for free by using their in-game gold reserves and bartering with the community for Bonds, which can then be used to not only acquire a ticket to RuneFest, but be swapped for accommodation, merchandise, and more, without a cent (or penny) spent!

This year, RuneFest will take place on Saturday 11^th October at Tobacco Dock, London, and give RuneScape fans the chance to meet the developers behind the game, as well as get a sneak peak at content planned for the future. In addition to being purchasable with Bonds, tickets can also be bought for £99 when they go on sale from Monday 28^th July. Jagex has partnered with a local hotel so accommodation can be purchased by attendees with Bonds. The virtual currency can also be swapped for 

Crystal Coins allowing RuneFest visitors to secure consumables and merchandise at the event itself for free.

“Over the past 13 years RuneScape has built up a loyal fan base who are as enthusiastic about the game as we are,”  said Jane Ryan, community and events director at Jagex. “RuneFest is our chance to celebrate everything that makes RuneScape special with those who mean the most to us: our players.  This year we wanted to make sure as many of our players could join us as possible, so we’re allowing players to purchase pretty much everything with their in-game currency.  Players can essentially come to the entire event, without spending a single penny!” 

RuneScape Bonds were introduced into the game in September 2013 and are available to buy either with real world cash or in-game gold from the RuneScape website. To join in with the RuneScape community and become a part of RuneScape today visit www.RuneScape.com."

In addition to this, this is how the Coins and Bonds work out:

The cost (in Bonds) for the ticket and hotel packages are as follows:

Ticket Only

·       1 RuneFest ticket = 35 Bonds

·       2 RuneFest tickets = 70 Bonds

Hotel Only

·       1 twin room on 10th October = 55 Bonds

·       1 twin room on 11th October = 55 Bonds

Ticket and Hotel Package

·       2 RuneFest tickets plus twin room on 10th October = 125 Bonds

·       2 RuneFest tickets plus twin room on 11th October = 125 Bonds

·       2 RuneFest tickets plus twin room for both nights (10th and 11th) = 180 Bonds

Crystal Coins are available in the following packages:

·       1 Bond = 10 Crystal Coins (equivalent to £2.50)

·       5 Bonds = 50 Crystal Coins (equivalent to £12.50)

·       20 Bonds = 200 Crystal Coins (equivalent to £50)

VIDEO GAME NEWS: Runescape Announces Legacy Mode - Jagex

Hail Mighty Readers and Followers of the Calloused Thumbs,
Our friends at Jagex have let us know about the new Legacy Mode for Runescape.  Here's what they had to say:

Jagex Games Studio, makers of the multi-award winning fantasy MMORPG, RuneScape, today announced that following a landslide vote Legacy Mode has been launched into the game. Development of Legacy Mode, an alternative to 2012’s Evolution of Combat system, started earlier this year following a Power to the Players poll where it gained 80% of the player vote.

The introduction of the new mode, which offers a more traditional look and old style of combat gameplay, was beta tested by players whose feedback has shaped the development of this feature.

“Power to the Players has been a hugely successful initiative,” said Phil Mansell, executive producer for RuneScape. “It has really empowered our players to work collaboratively with us to make RuneScape the best it can be. It has truly democratised our development process and given our players the means to decide how the game evolves. Some of those features, like Legacy Mode, are changes we didn’t originally plan but which the players have voted to say how important it is to them. This has made Legacy Mode particularly exciting for us as it shows what’s possible when the community is given the power to make large-scale decisions about their game”

Mansell continued: “The new mode allows players, particularly our veteran players, to engage in combat in a style that they are familiar with, whilst still being able to play side-by-side with those who prefer the faster pace of Evolution of Combat.”  

Power to the Players is an initiative implemented by Jagex that allows players to direct and shape future content within RuneScape. Since its launch earlier this year over 50 separate votes have been put to the players, ranging from top tier content such as the upcoming Elf City expansion, all the way down to smaller quality of life improvements.

To join in and be part of RuneScape, sign up at www.RuneScape.com.

VIDEO GAME NEWS: Jagex Supports United for Wildlife on Runescape - Jagex

Hail Mighty Readers and Followers of the Calloused Thumbs,
Jagex Games Studio, makers of the multi-award winning fantasy MMORPG, RuneScape, has supported a campaign by United for Wildlife, a collaboration between seven of the world’s most influential conservation organisations brought together by the Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry, to help promote the protection of rhinos in the wild.

Starting today, RuneScape players will have an opportunity to show their support of wild rhinos, and support for the United for Wildlife campaign, by learning about the animals’ plight as they answer a series of one-a-day questions over the next fortnight. Successful players will unlock a white rhino pet if they answer three questions correctly, and a rare black rhino pet if they correctly answer ten. During the two week period and for a fortnight afterwards, the rhino pets will provide players with an experience boost during their RuneScape adventure.

Furthermore, two young conservationists supported by Fauna & Flora International, one of the seven charities that make up United for Wildlife, are to be immortalised in the game after having their voices recorded for use as special in-game characters. Trang Nguyen from Vietnam and Mauricio Guerra from Colombia, will provide facts and help further explain the plight of rhinos across sub-Saharan Africa, to players as they move about the game. The partnership with United for Wildlife is the latest charity initiative supported by RuneScape and Jagex, following previous success stories over recent years.

 “United for Wildlife is a fantastic initiative that aims to preserve some of the world’s most endangered species in the wild. The RuneScape team is really proud to play our part in this important conservation project,” said Neil McClarty, brand director of RuneScape. “Our community has always shown amazing support for the many charity campaigns we’ve been involved with over the years, and we fully believe that they will continue this by throwing their support behind United for Wildlife's latest drive.”

“As a member of the United for Wildlife collaboration I’m delighted that we’ve been able to combine our collective conservation aims with RuneScape’s passionate audience,” said Ros Aveling, deputy CEO, Fauna & Flora International. “Innovative approaches to reaching a younger audience, who are traditionally hard to engage in conservation, are vital to the success of United for Wildlife and to the protection of critically endangered wildlife.”
(Images in the article appear coutesy of ZSL.)