Z-buffering

Enhanced z-buffering was a major graphical update released on the 15th of September, 2010.

“	"Advances in our engine will bring graphical improvements for players using RuneScape's Software and Safe modes, and increased speed to players using OpenGL or DirectX modes. The use of a z-buffer across all graphical modes unifies their workings, which means artists can now create more complex models and more interesting animations, where previously they have been limited by the software modes. One element of this we're particularly excited about is the ability to model and animate players and NPCs outside of the 'square' on which they’re standing. This will allow us to improve weapon wielding, combat animations and various other aspects of your appearance. Artists will also be able to design and build more impressive areas, which are less constrained to the grid-like nature of the RuneScape world. Additionally, users in Software or Safe mode should see less in the way of graphical ‘clipping’ (where objects/locations in the world cut through each other incorrectly). We have also seen speed increases in OpenGL and DirectX of up to 50%, but this does depend on the area you’re playing in.	”
	— Mod Chris E Game Engine

Uses

• The z-buffering update made RuneScape run faster for many people in most areas of the game.
• Dropped items are now even with the ground. Before, items were not tilted to match the angle of the ground, even if the ground was slanted.
• The updated scimitar animations make use of Z-Buffering.

Glitches

• Though it has been confirmed that male skillcapes would be "fixed" along with the z-buffering update, the fix was to shorten female skillcapes instead of lengthen male skillcapes. Due to this, many people complained on the official RuneScape forums.
• Shortly after the update, when a player received a message in clan chat, all public usernames became the same colour of the clan chat. This was fixed in a system update shortly after.
• As of the 15th of September, 2010, most summoning scrolls glitch. An example of the fruit-bat scroll is shown on the right side.

File:Fruitbatscroll.png

• Various inventory icons, like those of potions, became glitched after the update. This has been fixed.
• After this update, some players found their chat partially disabled. (Unable to chat 50% of the time)
• This update brought along a glitch in the music. Any song that interrupts the jukebox music (i.e.: level up music) will not play for a second and then start playing in the middle of the song. This has been fixed as of the 12th of October, 2010.
• After the update, some computers experience random glitches which causes the graphics to distort. This has yet to be fixed.
• After the update, a glitch caused the puzzle in Monkey Madness to look as if it had missing parts, this has yet to be fixed by Jagex. Though it cannot be seen , a player can complete it by using a hint taken from the crate north of it.

Trivia

• According to Jagex, due to the z-buffering changes, the Wilderness ditch no longer looked right (in fact, they said it looked rather unsightly). As such, Jagex replaced the ditch graphic with a low wall.
• Gunnar's Ground was the first quest to take advantage of z-buffering. It is used during the cutscene where Gudrun hugs Dororan.
• The Faint emote was the first emote to utilise Z-Buffering. Others include Puppet Master, Taskmaster, and the Snowsplosion emote from the Heimland Games Souvenir.