The Effects of Combat Level on Reactions to Basic Questions

A few of the Sal's Realm of RuneScape Newspaper Staff held an experiment to determine the effects of combat level on questions asked. The purpose of this experiment was to determine if combat level does play a role on how players communicate with each other. Although each player in the game of RuneScape is different, we know that this experiment is controlled enough to bring out valuable data, although we would like to hold more trials for the experiment. The characters asking questions shown below are of the Sal's Realm of RuneScape newspaper staff. The players who were being asked questions did not have a clue that this was an experiment which brought about a controlled experiment.

Lumbridge to Varrock - Level 3 (lilshu)

My journey began as a lonely level 3 wondering the Chicken Coops of Lumbridge: simple default clothes, no sign of wealth. I began to ask, quite politely, for directions to get to Varrock. In all honesty, I was expecting the typical "Haha, noob" comments, but to my surprise, someone walked up to me immediately and offered to take me there. I thought this was too good to be true; some in a nonmembers world, helping a low level account? I suspected it was a trick, perhaps to lure me into the Dark Wizards just south of the gate. Yet, to my utter surprise, he guided me around the wizards through the gates into safety! Upon arrival in Varrock, he gave me a few Bones to bury, while he tried to persuade me in a complete tour of Varrock. I kindly declined, and asked him what reason he had to help a complete stranger. His response: someone had helped him as when he was new to RuneScape; he was simply spreading the love.

Lumbridge to Varrock - Level 9 (Kyle)

On my level 9 account, Superkayl23, I stood in the area near the Goblin Hut and politely requested help from nearby players. My question, simply, was to determine the location of Varrock. A player of combat level 40 came to my aid. While I was standing there requesting help, he first traded me some of the fish that he was fishing out of the river, which kind of surprised me.

He seems to have had the right intentions of being helpful, but didn't appear to actually approach the question I was seeking an answer to. When I repeated the question, which he hadn't answered, he gave me some quick directions. Unfortunately, yet quite humorously, they were wrong directions. I asked for clarification just to make sure he wasn't aware of his own mistake, and he confirmed everything I asked with a simple “ya.”

I do not believe he did that on purpose, because he had just traded me some free raw fish. Therefore, I seriously doubt he would have intentionally sent me on an erroneous pathway.

Lumbridge to Draynor Village - Level 29 (lilshu)

I retired my new account for one with a bit more experience. This new one, Ysw y sw7 was a combat pure that I had started earlier this year. Standing in the General Store just north of Lumbridge Castle, I called out my question "Can anyone lead me to Draynor!". For five minutes I asked, yet each time my request fell on silent ears. (Do RuneScape characters even have ears? :P ) Since my requests were getting nowhere, I decided to follow someone and ask them, until they responded. I must have gotten lucky, for after I asked once, he happily led me through the forest and to the village. He even took care to circumvent the Guards that could have easily sent me straight back to Lumbridge.

Draynor to Mudskipper Point - Level 89 (Merch Gwyar)

I stood outside Draynor Bank for a while before anyone responded to my asking directions to Mudskipper Point. As this is f2p, the area is not commonly used, so that may account for the waiting. As a prompt, I finally threw in the fact that I was looking for Thurgo in Mudskipper Point, which did appear to prompt the results.

A very friendly and polite level 64 player gave me excellent directions there. They were thorough directions and he waited as I clarified a couple of points. He didn't lead me there but, to be fair, the instructions had been well stated and so I could have easily followed them to my destination.

Falador to Goblin Village - Level 50 (Kyle)

I have a level 50 pure magic account, named 5ilent5layer, and used it for this question. I stood in Falador near the eastern bank, and requested assistance in finding the location of the nearby Goblin Village.

I received help from a level 92, who seemed knowledgeable and perfectly willing to help me along my way. He politely took me to the village himself, and upon our arrival, he even traded 50k gp to me, which took place right before he says “have fun” in the conversation.

I felt too uneasy keeping that money, so the first slightly lower level that walked past, I traded the cash to. I said “your welcome” to him three times before he said “thank you” and just walked off. Perhaps we should begin a new experiment related to how people react to that!

Goblin Village to Falador - Level 29 (lilshu)

Somehow, our little Ysw ended up in the northern borders of safety, in the Goblin Village. And what I saw there appalled me: two characters cavorting amongst themselves, talking as though they were in some shanty cabaret. They were saying what all they wanted to do to each other's mothers, and quite explicitly I may add; almost every censor that exists may have been broken during that conversation. I was interested in how the would respond to my question. Would they insult me? Or perhaps just ignore me? To my surprise, he offered his help. He took me south through the Goblins' barricades to the fork in the road, just north of Falador's city gates.

How to Make Dyes - Level 89 (Merch Gwyar)

My co-researchers and I moved on to Falador, where I didn't ask anything, as Kyle was being led to the Goblin Village. He had asked first and it occurred to me that the Wild is actually in that direction. Should Kyle and Lilshu find themselves being taken there, it would be difficult to resist without blowing their cover. I figured that I could rescue them. However, whilst watching Kyle have his conversation in Falador, I'd overheard another with a player asking for information about making dyes. Before I could respond, another player gave him the information.

Once at the Goblin Village, I saw the same player. I knew that five minutes before he had been told how and where to make dyes, so I walked into the generals' hut and waited for an appropriate length of time before coming out and asking the question. The group of players included the level 48 who had had the information.

For a while, everyone ignored me, then I received a lot of comments about being a noob (and its variants). I was once told to 'gtfo'. The conversation remained on that level until I finally said, 'ok, ty anyway' and left. Unfortunately, I accidentally pasted over the only screenshot I'd taken.

The whole experience had been frustrating and belittling, especially since I knew that one player in this group had just now been in my exact position and had been assisted. It was a blatant case of 'help me, but I won't help anyone else'.

Varrock to Barbarian Village - Level 100 (Kyle)

In this test, we introduced one other variable, just out of pure interest: the player mod crown. Using my main level 100 account, Im Kyle 23, I stood in Varrock square and requested help in finding Barbarian Village. Immediately upon speaking, I received quite a bit of attention.

A couple people followed me as I stood there and spoke, and unfortunately, the results in their entirety were not obtained. The picture depicts a conversation I had with a helpful person, as opposed to the responses I received from a few other people.

One person in particular said “it's west n00b.” I tried to cover myself by indicating that I haven't played in a while, but that didn't cause any less of a reaction. This same person said that I was obviously account sharing, reported me, and began telling everyone in the area to report me as well. Don't worry, for my account is safe!

Back on the topic of the person who actually did help me, he was a level 61. He also made much more of a conversation with me than I had had with anyone on any of my other accounts. I had to make up a lot on the spot during this test, and claimed that I needed the boots in the Stronghold of Security.

When I went into the Stronghold in order to maintain my consistency, and in attempt to lose his trail, I ran into him again while in the center of the bottom level. There, he began asking me some typical questions one would expect to hear being a p-mod, which I kindly answered, and we eventually parted ways (despite saying “bye” and then going in the same direction).

Varrock to Barbarian Village - Level 89 (Merch Gwyar)

I set up station outside Varrock East Bank and was asking for directions to the Barbarian Village for so long that I nearly gave up. Just as I'd told Lilshu and Kyle, via chat, that I was marking this a no show, I finally had an offer of help. The level 66 asking me to follow her was pleasant and chatty all the way there.

However, once we got there, suddenly she wanted payment. I had been about to give her some law runes as reparation for her time anyway, but hadn't had the opportunity to trade before she asked for payment. I gave her 10 law runes, but she wasn't satisfied with this. She could see from the transaction that there was more in my bag. I explained that I was meeting a friend here and that I'd bought stuff for my friend. The player really was not happy with that. She wanted to see what I'd bought. In fact, she wanted it for herself.

She followed me around the Village, constantly trading and telling me that she knew that I had more. She wanted to see it. Trade request after trade request ensued, continuing in that vein of demanding more, despite my protestations that all I had was iron armour for my friend. I did eventually give her the slip by running to Edgeville. My agility must be higher or she must have become trapped behind a wall, as I lost her along the way and promptly left the world.

I did find this incident fairly intimidating and, had I been unsure in reality of various locations, it might have put me off ever asking for assistance again.

Varrock to Edgeville - Level 118 (lilshu)

Ah, the denouement of our experiment, the test where we pulled out the highest level at our disposal. I stood in Varrock's center, laughing to myself as people accused Kyle of buying accounts (sadly, I was not taking screen shots like I should have been). After he took his exit, I asked around for someone to take me up to Edgville to try out some pking. Rather quickly, I had an offer to take me there. About at the halfway point, the bridge over the River Lum, he showed his true intentions: he was only helping in hopes of making a few pieces of gold. I responded that I do not give out free stuff, but he continued to take me to Edgeville. When there, he asked me to add him, just in case I ever have something to give away.

Wrapping It Up

Evidentially, the different combat levels that were used in this experiment have definitely brought about a variety of results. Can a conclusive statement be made? Well, probably not. Based on just this data, one cannot really make a single, underlying statement to encompass all of RuneScape. However, it is clear through the results that different combat levels being used did achieve different reactions and levels of attention from the other players. Therefore, for a first time procedure, this can be labeled as a rather successful experiment.

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Summoning -The Biggest Thing Since RS2?- By: Neo Avatars

After the Duel Arena update, Jagex was clearly at a low - a 39,779 post rant thread, over 5000 posts generally comprising of hate in other threads, and having the change rated as the worst update on record. This clearly wasn't a good situation to be in, so action had to be taken fast to try and get some of the ranters back on their side.

This action didn't come in the form of a rollback or drastic change to what had happened, but in the form of a Development Diary . There had been four before that hadn't done much, so why would this one make a difference?

With a first glimpse, the reason is dominant, the reason is a bolded header, the reason is Summoning!

Dating back to 31 st March 2004 it wasn't a new idea, having given time for people to make up their own ideas about what was going to come. Many of these ideas were based around the idea that Summoning would be a spellbook for Magic that would let you summon a Demon or two when you felt bored, although these ideas of Summoning being a section within Magic were squashed with a section in the Diary that says:

"At that point, Magic was already filling out and we were also concepting Desert Treasure and alternate spellbooks , so decided it would be better as a new skill rather than an addition to an older one"

Further into the article you learn that the idea then moved onto an idea called 'Animal Lore', although technical problems and the likelihood it would turn RuneScape into 'PetScape' stopped it being practical, so Summoning it was to be. A design brief was finished in September 2006, 16 months before the announced release date of January 2008, and work began on a skill that is likely to change the way we play RuneScape. With different creatures to summon to help with different skills, it won't be independent of others in a way that some skills appear to be, meaning there will certainly be something for everyone .

Beyond the repeated "Oh wow, Summoning will be ftw kai?" throughout the article, there is also interesting information about past skill development such as the timeline.

A) RuneScape 2 launched/Behind the Scenes article mentions Summoning; B) Mod Bennett writes the initial brief for Summoning; C) Jagex moves to a new office; D) Mod Wilson writes Animal Lore brief; E) Mod Wilson rewrites brief again, back to Summoning; F) Summoning development begins.

With a massive skill such as Construction only taking around 12 months to develop, Summoning with its 16 months of creation is surely going to be something to make us wonder how we coped without it.

First glimpses of what the skill will look like came in several different forms. The first was a teaser from a banner advertising the Knowledge Base of a Bulldog . Next was as the small icons next to news announcements - where the Wolpertinger , Spirit Wolf , Dread Fowl , Minotaur , Cockatrice , the Crossbow Squirrel , Fruit Bat and Hydra were first seen. Other images came in the form of leaks of concept art of Monkeys, Bulls and more fantasy creatures as well as the fluffy animals in the forms of Dogs and Cats .

The 29 th November brought some more large images of content into full view with a Summoning Wallpaper . Along with the previously known Wolpertinger and Spirit Wolf, this wallpaper brought the mystery of the piles of rocks. Although they may just look like a few rocks on top of each other, they are clearly positioned together with areas for specific more round stones to sit in, making them look slightly less like typical cairns.

As well as the Wallpaper, the 25 th Postbag from the Hedge appeared with a noticeboard full of clues . From the ancient puzzles of switching numbers with letters you get words such as Magpie and Macaw . From the ringed letters you get an anagram for either Nucleic as in Deoxyribonucleic acid - the full name for DNA - or Lucien if you miss out one version of the letter c. Could it be that this character who appears during Temple of Ikov has something to do with the Summoning skill? Looking at the note in the top-right corner, it can be noted that 'Rock Rald' is an anagram of Cord Lark . The 'To Do' list also has its own set of clues. At the bottom is the Morse Code for Gecko, and anagrams of certain bullet points will get you creatures such as Barker Toad, Evil Turnip, Dead Wolf, Dread Fowl, Fowl Adder and Praying Mantis . It's certainly clear that this edition of the Postbag had plenty of clues about creatures hidden within.

The Second Development Diary was destined to contain hints about content, and didn't fail on that aspect with detailed information about numerous aspects and creatures. There is mention of updates that happened in the past such as one that let monsters move in eight directions rather than the previous four, which were implemented to aid with Summoning. If there was one change like this that was made, it is likely that there were half a dozen less obvious changes that were also added to help with the skill.

The main emphasis of the diary is Development, with images of different parts of creation - from concept to an animation formed after watching, and acting, lots of monkey videos! It has been said in past diaries that Jagex staff will act out what they are animating, with results there being superb, so the Summoning animations are unlikely to be less than fantastic. Added onto this, it wasn't just one person creating the graphics, but just about every person in the Graphics Team. Those familiar and in love with the Postbag from the Hedge will be in for an enjoyable time reading the chat sequences implemented with Summoning, with Mod Kinder and the Web Content Team who usually write the responses to player's letters having written many of the 50,000 words.

The Diary ended on a number of fairly large cliffhangers. What does the Karamthulhu (squid in a fishbowl) actually look like? How did somebody come up with an idea about Bird Eggs being used in Summoning over three years before release when coming up with ideas for previous skills? If those who stick with the skill will obtain vast rewards, will these be monetary or visual?

After several days of rants about classic PKing disappearing from RuneScape, the second Summoning wallpaper appeared on 13 th December, focusing on one specific creature that looks like the Cockatrice used as the symbol on the homepage. There are already Cockatrice found as Slayer monsters, although the graphics for these seem slightly different and it also hints towards it being possible to summon creatures already found within the game.

For many, the 18 th December brought a Christmas Holiday event with seemingly pointless rewards, although those who found themselves in Yanille would be in for a surprise, with a building appearing between the Wizards' Guild and the Hunter Shop that has a sign outside that says 'Petshop'. In High Detail mode, you can do nothing other than examine the multiple objects inside, although heading into Low Detail and making your way either into the Wizards' Guild or onto the city wall lets you view what is actually inside.




This building is centered around catering for Cats, Dogs and Fish, with numerous features for each one. Shelves down the back of the shop have food for all these animals, there are Baskets for Cats and Dogs and a Fishtank for Fish. If you want to take your Pet out of the house, Collars made by the A. Wilson Company can be found near the entrance. The two extensions to the building also contain interesting items - the western one contains a Pen to keep Puppies out of trouble, with a Ball and Pillow in along with some Hay to be used as Bedding and Stuffing. The eastern extension contains an Incubator, giving ideas that you may also be able to get yourself pet Birds.

Along with the Pet Shop came a new kind of Egg obtainable as a Woodcutting Random Event - the Raven Egg, giving a specific name of a Bird you will be able to create. Another egg also released was the Vulture Egg - obtainable by killing Vultures. Using clever methods, images of at least six types of dog, seven types of Cockatrice, several types of Bird including Herons, Parrots and Vultures; Snakes, Monkeys, Spirit Wolves, Wolpertingers, Karamthulhu, Cyclops Cats, Venus Fly Trap Monsters and numerous other imaginative creatures have been found, giving even more visual teasers than are put right into your face.

A few days passed after the Pet Shop, then the third Development Diary was released on December 20 th , explaining about the QA process. This Diary doesn't just give hints about Summoning, but also gets rid of the rumor that nobody at Jagex plays RuneScape - there's somebody in the QA team who's in the top 500 players. Explanations are made about bugs that created large numbers of Summoned creatures, then an important fact is released... Summoning will affect your combat level.

For many this may not seem important, although some people play the game trying to keep their combat level down and the extra 12 possible combat levels that will push the maximum level up to 138 may stop them from training the skill. Although an extra 12 combat levels may seem nice, it isn't going to be fast to train although massive costs won't be required. A rough guess would put training speeds at around 20,000-40,000 experience per hour with costs similar to a low Construction cost of around 4-6gp/xp, meaning level 99 would cost around 50-80 million gp, although these numbers are just very rough estimates from vague statements and may be completely wrong!

Added to the fairly slow training speed, another reason people are unlikely to reach level 99 within a week is that a Quest Wolf Whistle will probably have to be completed before being able to train at all, teaching you the basics of the skill, with confirmed level requirements being Pet Dogs at level 1, Cockatrices at level 43 and the skill cape at level 99.

The start of 2008 brought even more hints about the skill, with a whole new Wallpaper with a picture of a Hydra on. This gives even more references to ancient history, showing that Jagex has done some homework and hasn't just decided to invent odd looking creatures and give them even stranger names.

In each of the Development Diaries, there is a banner at the top with a cup in it. On each of these cups is an image that fits together perfectly with each of the others, so after three Diaries, the final result of the image is fairly clear, although quite what the image is about isn't anywhere near as clear.



Whatever the meaning of these cup symbols may be, it's clear that Summoning is going to be a massive skill that will change the way RuneScape is played and the number of hints being released shows that Jagex is certainly proud of it!

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When the Predator Looms - By: Merch Gwyar

The trial of a Californian woman, accused of sexually assaulting a minor whom she met in Runescape, is currently underway. It is alleged that she cultivated a friendship with the 13 year old boy, as they played the game together, until they swopped messenger identities. Within that forum, she learned his real life address and sent him a mobile 'phone, which was used for further discussion and sending each other indecent photographs. Finally, she travelled 3000 miles to visit him in New York, also meeting up with a second boy in the area. A neighbour spotted 'inappropriate behaviour' and called the police. The accusation is that she raped both boys, videotaping the acts.

The woman has pleaded not guilty to two counts of 2nd degree Sexual Abuse, two counts of 2nd degree Criminal Sexual Act, two counts of 2nd degree Rape, two counts of Use of a Child in a Sexual Performance, and Endangering the Welfare of a Child, but remains in jail, on a bond of $50,000 bail, until the conclusion of her court case. The boy's mother, who left them alone together and allowed the woman to stay in their home, has already been found guilty of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, and, on December 14th 2007, was sentenced to 30 days imprisonment.

The case highlights, once again, the danger of giving out personal information whilst playing Runescape or any computer game. While the vast majority of people playing the game are genuinely lovely, honest and likeable people, the handful of predators do not arrive equipped with neon lights above their character's head saying, 'watch out for me!' There is no mileage in them acting as anything other than your very best friend, right up until the moment when they have lured you into a real life meeting and are able to attack.

A conversation here in Sal's forum revealed a situation where a 12 year old boy had believed that he was meeting another 12 year old. Fortunately he had the common sense to arrive early and wait at a vantage point, where he could see the meeting place without being seen himself. He was able, therefore, to quickly leave when his friend turned out to be an adult man.

It is so easy to consider yourself in terms of bravado, deciding that you would be careful or that you could fight off any attack. But predators don't always work alone. They aren't always overtly threatening, using intimidation or psychology to pressurise the individual into doing whatever they want. 'But you're my friend... why are you acting like a child? I thought you were more grown up than this... the gang will all laugh at you when I tell them what a scaredy-cat you are...'

Jagex have implemented the rule about not giving out personal information for reasons such as these, even going as far as to provide guidelines about playing safely, which begins,

"RuneScape is a multiplayer adventure so, let's face it, you are going to meet lots of new and exciting friends along your travels.

However, please remember you DO NOT know any of these people in real-life. This is not to say that they are not as nice in real-life as they act in RuneScape, they most likely are, but it's important and best to keep a safe distance from your fellow RuneScape players in real-life."

The article also includes links to external, professional agencies for assistance in such matters. It is worth reading.

However, nothing here explains how to deflect questions about personal information, other than adding the individual to your ignore list after having reported them. In real situations, this can be a little confusing, after all you might be being asked by someone you have known for months and who saved your life in the kalphite queen incident... Here are some questions and answers, which you might use. Sal's Newspaper will be happy to publish more in the future, if anyone reading has more to offer.

How old are you? Where are you from? What's your name?

Answer: I'm sorry, I'm uncomfortable answering personal questions.

(Practical: Stay calm; report them)

Where are you from?

I live in Rimmington/Rellekka/Brimhaven/Polly/Yanille.

No, where are you really from?

Well, the Falador Herald said my ancestry was from the Varrock area.

I don't mean in the game, you nub/narb/noob/newbie/insert 'n' word of choice, in real life!

I'm sorry I'm not comfortable with answering personal questions;

alternatively, you could tell them a country, but not further than that.

What is your name?

Tell them your Runescape name.

No, I mean your real name.

I'm sorry I'm not comfortable with answering personal questions.

How old are you?

I'm sorry, I'm not comfortable with answering personal questions.

Sometimes questions are not so blatant. Supplying the name of the sports team you support, or the name of your school, or even stating that such-and-such a celebrity comes from by where you live, can all inform those listening as to your location. Regardless of how reluctant you were to take action beforehand, anyone persisting to ask questions after you have shown an obvious unwillingness to answer them should be reported.

Stay safe and stay beautiful always.

 

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