www.runescape.com

8 May 2008 - An Image of the Future   

Over the past year, we've been keeping a rather large secret. We have been working on a complete graphical rework of RuneScape, which is looking truly spectacular. There's no need to take our word for it: look at the images below and see for yourself.

As you know, we currently offer 'High Detail' and 'Low Detail' modes. We plan on adding a new and optional detail mode, bringing you accelerated higher quality graphics. This will be in addition to the existing detail modes, as they will remain unchanged.

As if the improvements below weren't enough, an optional fullscreen version of RuneScape is due at the same time. This will let you play at a resolution of your choice, and it also supports widescreen monitors. We think you'll agree, the future of RuneScape is looking very good indeed....

Before:
After:
Click for full image

Expect more to be revealed in a Development Diary, later this month.

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This explains why they asked for the specs of the computer.  These graphics are...better...but not really good.  I would not be surprised if this causes lag to many.

Just have to wait and see.

Edit:  After looking at the pics some more, the main difference is shadows.  If you lok at things like the benches, you'll actually see a decent shadow near it. 

After 5 years, they finally thought up of shadows!!  These guys must be geniuses or something!

*wishes they would stop doing useless stuff to the game and fix the real problems!!*  Like anyone who plays the game cares at all about the tons of useless updates they do.  No it doesn't look good, and not much they can do to make it look good in these time consuming uselss updates. This was one of my biggest pet peeves with Jagex.. they always  do useless updates and avoid the big issues.  Before they ruined trade , gambling and the wilderness, they still had alot of issues that weren't being addressed that would have the biggest impact on the game itself such as  giving the game some Juice.. I mean like the respawn rates on ores, trees, ect... and the rewards you get at higher levels so that there would actually be something to look forward to instead of only your personal satisfaction of gaining levels..  and disappointment when you actually reach them and realize that there is just more suffering and no real reward.  This game  needs a serious adreneline shot and  more player freedoms to really make it worth playing again.

I think this new update will be an amazing addition.  The graphics looks much better, while still keeling the look and feel of the game.

Hrm looks very nice....wasn't necessary but might have to check it out again once it goes live!

These graphics updates are substandard  at  best compared to other graphics in use today.. and  for membership you actually pay  more for substandard updates with runescape than you would playing another mmorpg. So trying to tell me you get what you pay for  is incorrect. Runescape membership is $60 per year when Guild wars membership is $30 for the game for  as long as you want to play it.  Guild wars graphics:

Now if they could do that to runescape the graphics update might actually be worth the time, effort and lag that they take. Characters on runescape do not even have faces. Why pay more for a faceless noob when you can get this for wayy less?

I think it looks good. Mabye your standards are too high.

Originally posted by Tuss

I think it looks good. Mabye your standards are too high.

Not at all....the graphics shown above afren't even known as amazing.  They are decent.  This graphics update just added shadows after 5 years.  
The only reason it looks good compared ton the old ones is because the old ones are even worse.  These graphics are not good, they are the exact opposite.

Originally posted by AkaJetson
IMO they're good enough for any browser based java game.

For a browser based java game- yes

For a game- no.

Imn the end, people don't really care if it's Java or not,  The graohics are still bad.  Just because Jagex chose to do their game in Java and make it browser based doesn't mean they should recieve any slack. 

When graphics are judged, it does not matter how they are made.  If they are bad, they are bad.

But, just because a game has bad graohics does not mean people should not play a game.  Look at RuneScape, there are many other reasons not to play instead of the bad graphics

Like I said, your standards are too high. Mabye they're adding more detail (or, as you've dubbed it, "shadows") in the game now because they didn't have the money/memory/time available before, so they're doing it now. Don't expect WoW graphics for every mmorpg you come across.

You must not have ever played WoW.. their graphics aren't that great ...They are cartoonish compared to other graphics , though I have to agree with mike ... there are wayy more reasons not to play runescape than their graphics .. the graphics are one of the least problems with the game. Showing again how Jagex's priorities for their game are still way off base.  No players should not lower their standards and accept substandard work just because someone tells them too.. I say you should only  pay for something that meets expectations, as long as you don't settle, devs can't sell you a  lemon. .. eventually they will catch on and make something worth buying =).

new rs graphics are cool. i like the fact jagex is making it fullscreen too.....

I'll probably come back to Runescape for a while with the graphics