Update:Rule 7 and Rule 9 Updated
This update was added on 2 January 2007.
We have updated Rule 7 and Rule 9 to clarify some long standing grey areas, and to cover some recent threats. Please take the time to re-read both rules and make sure you fully understand them. The reason for this update is both to clarify some very frequently asked questions, and also to help address recent threats which have been harming our players. In particular we have extended rule 7 to make it clear that it DOES now include third party RuneScape clients/world switchers.
We have done this for two main reasons: a) The sheer number of users losing their account/password to programs which pretend to be one thing but actually steal their password; b) Problems with some of these programs including extremely unsafe chat channels where large amounts of scamming go on, and users encourage each other to try to break the rules.
When RuneScape fansites are distributing programs on which 50% of the chat channels are being used to discuss breaking the rules or result in their own users being scammed, it's clear that our rules need revision! We don't want to be unnecessarily restrictive, but we obviously also have to balance that with protecting our users. We've thought long and hard about this, and hence this update.
Update 2-Jan-07 - 17:21 GMT
Further to that I just want to clarify a few extra things:
1) We're absolutely NOT going to ban people who used such world-switchers historically. That would be completely unfair given we've only just mentioned this! We will of course give everyone plenty of chance to read and understand the rule, and get rid of such programs first.
2) It's only RuneScape specific add-on programs we're talking about here. You can of course still use things like msn/aim whilst playing. Just bear in mind that if you do so it's entirely at your own risk, and we won't be be able to help with abuse/scamming. (so we don't recommend it at all, but it's ultimately up to you)
3) We're also looking at adding an official 'group chat' system into the game ASAP for clans and other groups of players to use.