imported>Brenr: /* DeviousMUD & RuneScape Classic */

2012-09-28T01:26:43Z

DeviousMUD & RuneScape Classic

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{{ToC}}
''"Sd" (Standard Detail) redirects here. For the [[Desert Treasure]] quest dungeon, see [[Shadow Dungeon]].''

'''The graphics''' in ''[[RuneScape]]'' have been continuously evolving, from the simple ''[[RuneScape Classic]]'' graphics to nowadays' ''[[RuneScape HD]]''. This evolving is made possible thanks to fast internet connections and the improving performance of players' computers and [[Jagex]]'s technology.

== DeviousMUD & RuneScape Classic ==
[[File:RSC lumbridge.png|thumb|160px|RuneScape Classic's graphics are not as advanced as RS2 high-definition graphics]][[DeviousMUD]] was the predecessor of ''[[RuneScape Classic]]'', written in 1998 and then rewritten and released as a public beta, for only one week, in 1999. There are only very few screenshots of it, from which very simple, isometric graphics can be seen. RuneTek 1 was used to develop it. ''RuneScape Classic'', which [[members|RuneScape members]] can play today, is the newer version of DeviousMUD, released in October 1999. It has four separate views, one in each of the cardinal directions (North, East, South, and West). The players, NPCs and monsters are 2D sprites in a fairly low-detailed world.

== Release of RuneScape 2 and afterwards==
With the [[Runescape 2|release of ''RuneScape 2'']] (now called ''RuneScape'') on [[1 December]] [[2003]] as beta and on [[29 March]] [[2004]] as full release, Jagex unleashed a 3D engine, which brought many graphical improvements. Two detail levels were available: ''Low Detail'' and ''High Detail'' (not to be confused with the graphics option currently called [[RuneScape HD|''High Detail'']]). High Detail offered, among other improvements, musical effects and more texture than Low Detail. As the ''RuneScape'' map expanded with the release of new areas, many new visual effects, such as snow on [[Trollweiss Mountain]] and the electrical effects in the [[Killerwatt plane]], were added in-game. Also many old and more visited locations, such as [[Varrock]], [[Falador]] and [[Lumbridge]], were updated among other graphical updates.

== RuneScape High Detail and RuneTek 5 ==

''[[File:SDvsHDcomparison.png|frame|left|Pre-HD graphics in comparison with HD graphics]][[RuneScape HD]]'' was mentioned for the first time in [[Update:An Image of the Future|''An Image of the Future'']] and in the following [[Update:An Image of the Not-Too-Distant Future|''An Image of the Not-Too-Distant Future'']] newsposts. More information was included in [http://services.runescape.com/m=rswiki/en/Development_Diary_-_A_New_Look_RuneScape:_Part_1 ''A New Look RuneScape: Part 1''] and [http://services.runescape.com/m=rswiki/en/Development_Diary_-_A_New_Look_RuneScape:_Part_2 ''A New Look RuneScape: Part 2''] Development Diaries.

{{cquote | ''We've considered a hardware-rendered version of RuneScape a number of times in the past, but it was only two years ago that we felt Java was mature enough.''
-Andrew, Lead Developer }}

''RuneScape High Detail'' came out on [[1 July]] [[2008]] as a beta for members and was released on [[14 July]] [[2008]] as full release for all players. ''High Detail'' offered, for the first time in ''RuneScape'' history, the full screen mode, although it could also be played in the fixed mode. HD was updated to offer also the resizable window mode on [[5 August]] [[2008]].

Other numerous upgrades from High Detail included:
* (Improved) textures and better blending.
* Fog effect, causing objects at a distance to gradually come into view, instead of causing them to "pop" into view.
* Sky colour
* More realistic, translucent water, allowing for view of the sea floor.
* Smooth and realistic light effects.
* Dynamic shadows, which change position based on the time of day
* Improved interfaces, animations, cutscenes and emotes.
* Reworked NPCs, chatheads and player kit.

On [[2 September]] [[2009]], [[RuneTek 5]] was released, being previously explained in [http://devblog.runescape.com/view_post.ws?post_id=27&tag_id=45&page=1 ''RuneTek 5'' Developer Blog]. The most important technical update of RuneTek 5 was that ''RuneScape SD'' and ''RuneScape HD'' (previously RuneTek 3 and 4 respectively) could be run on the same game engine and that different graphics platforms (such as DirectX and OpenGL) could be targeted on it. ''Standard Detail'' got revamped with the incorporation of full screen/resizable mode, the fog effect, blending, and underwater visibility. Both ''SD'' and ''HD'' were given an improved minimap and ''HD'' got shadowing across all world levels. This update also fixed several long-standing bugs, such as ''[[Grand Exchange]] mis-clicking'', and made possible the future introduction of new graphical effects including:[[File:Wardrobe.gif|thumb|210px|The snow blowing out of the wardrobe gave the effect of cold winds]]
*[[Particle effects]] - ''introduced on [[21 December]] [[2009]];''
*[[Skybox]]es - ''introduced on [[26 July]] [[2011]];''
*[[Bloom lighting effects]] - ''introduced on [[28 November]] [[2011]]''
*Water reflections ("HD" only).

Particles were introduced for the first time into game during [[2009 Christmas event]] by using them to create snow effects.

[[File:Bare minimum.png|left|thumb|300px|The graphics of Runescape on the lowest settings.]]On [[8 February]] [[2010]] ''SD'' was further updated with improved performance, textures, shadows, and lighting, making it similar to ''HD''. This new version was intended for people with fast CPUs but poor graphics card and, in fact, new ''SD'' used more CPU than ''HD''. The old ''SD'' was named ''Safe mode'' for people who wished to continue use of that mode.

DirectX support was added on [[13 May]] [[2010]]. It looks identical to ''OpenGL HD mode'' but gives fewer compatibility problems for those who use Windows. With this update, the graphics option system was overhauled to allow for ease of use. Auto configure option was also released, but with the manual setup still there.

On [[15 September]] [[2010]] ''Z-buffering ''was released, which brought graphical and performance improvements to all graphic modes. This update made possible the modeling and animation of players and NPCs outside of the 'square' on which they stand, allowing for more complessive appearances. In addition, more impressive area sceneries can be released due to this update.

[[File:Graphic Options.png|right|thumb|Current custom graphics options in the [[lobby]]]]On [[24 November]] [[2010]], [[Graphics Options]] got changed by completely separating the mode in which the game displays from the specific graphical effects you can set. More players are able to run Open GL and DirectX modes, while Mac and Linux users can play in Open GL and Software, respectively. Safe mode was removed completely, with the only way to enable it being to hold "S" while the game was loading. Also, the interface was updated significantly. Found out later, you can still enter Safe mode by turning on a setting that your graphics card cannot handle and an option for it will come up next to other modes.
On [[15 March]] [[2011]] [[Lumbridge Swamp]] received a graphical update including a darker look, new trees, graphically updated mining rocks and [[Options#Audio_options|ambiental sounds]].

On [[4 April]] 2011 The area south of [[Falador]] received a graphical update including initial [[Clan Camp]], new looking trees and some other ambiental elements which use [[Z-buffering]]. There's also a new kind, light-blue coloured, fog use, and new ambiental sounds. Clan Camp was fully released on [[12 April]] [[2011]].

[[Draynor Village]] received a major graphical overhaul on [[25 May]] 2011. With the update, location received a darker, nightly, look, with lanterns around. The fog within the area was ''tinted'' to dark-blue and the map layout, [[File:Citadel skyline.png|thumb|The sky can be seen from the [[Citadels]] thanks to skyboxes]]with NPCs, was changed. To be noted is that the only trees to change were [[dead tree|dead]] ones.

Another important update was the release of [[Clan Citadels]] on [[26 July]] [[2011]]. Other than including new gameplay options for [[clans]], hundreds of customisation options and new graphics, it also introduced ''[[skybox]]es'', which 'surround' the Citadels. Other than that, Citadels may be chosen to have day- or night-time environment.

[[9 August]] 2011 saw an overhaul to two popular [[Misthalin]] locations - [[Grand Exchange]] and [[Edgeville]]. While the first one got a major update, making in better-looking and easier to use, the second one got graphical improvements such as visual props and new lighting effects. Also, all young [[Spirit trees]] got visually updated and audio improvements were made to magic spells, agility sound effects and few locations, such as [[Mort Myre swamp]], which got ambient sounds. On [[17 August]] whole [[Morytania]], including it's swamp and inhabitants, got major graphical overhaul, with also most trees in free-to-play cities and surroundings getting visual improvements.

In the [[Ritual of the Mahjarrat]] quest, released on [[14 September]] 2011, there's a cutscene which involves graphics never seen before ''in-game'', similar to ones seen in ''RuneScape trailer''. On [[4 October]] a technical update was released thanks to which camera angle can be rotated 360-degrees by using middle mouse (scroll) button.

With the update on [[25 October]] 2011 ''RuneScape'' requires Java version 1.6 update 10 to be played, as [[Update:Change to Required Java Version|announced]] the week before. This is not only required to improve the game's graphics and sounds, but also to fight [[botting]] - in fact it was called [[Update:Bot-Nuking Day: Making RuneScape Fairer and More Fun!|Bot-Nuking Day]].
{{cquote|We’ve made some improvements to our graphical engine which will aid us in the future development of RuneScape’s look and feel. Players using Direct X mode will notice palette consistency for the first time with Open GL. Other visual improvements under development include our new water shader. We’ll be continually improving the look of the game over the months to come.}}[[File:Water graphics.png|thumb|left|The sea seen from [[Wizards' Tower]]]]With the same update, in fact, few graphical improvements were released, including new water effects on DirectX mode.

==See also==

* [[Graphical improvements]]

{{Mechanics}}
[[Category:Game info]]
[[Category:Mechanics]]

Graphics - Revision history

imported>Brenr: /* DeviousMUD & RuneScape Classic */