Notably, it became much easier to use shops and banks or to trade with other players because players could add or remove large quantities of items with a single click. Several tabs that were merged together in RS1 (ie Friends list/ignore list, options/logout, magic/prayer) were separated in RS2. Finally, the equations for calculating combat level and gaining experience were reformulated. Monsters became more intelligent, with some using ranged, magic, and other special attacks. Several locations were designated as multicombat areas. The former 'Paralyze Monster' and 'Protect from Missiles' prayers were replaced with the familiar Protect from Melee, Protect from Magic, and modern Protect from Missiles prayers. Attack styles were added to melee weapons, encouraging fighters to try a variety of weapons against different opponents (contrasting RS1, where the dominant strategy was to always use either a battleaxe or a two-handed sword). Mages were also given the ability to autocast most combat spells using a staff. The bind, snare, and entangle spells were introduced for mages to use in pvp. This made it possible to move around, eat food, use ranged weapons, and perform most other actions while in combat.
![runescape ge runescape ge](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/yJll_CKrC2g/maxresdefault.jpg)
The traditional "three round" model was removed. The combat triangle concept was central to the new system. The camera was also updated to move vertically as well as horizontally. Animations used more frames, allowing for smoother motion and a wider variety of animations. Every character in the game had to be redesigned, and the use of polygons allowed a greater level of detail for landscapes (for example, walls and fences could have thickness).
#RUNESCAPE GE FREE#
For this stage of testing, free players were given access to beta as well as members. Characters were once again copied over from the live game. The Lumbridge Teleport spell also had its level requirement and rune cost reinstated. Players again had their characters copied over from the live game (including items and quest status this time). The second phase of beta began on 3 March 2004.
![runescape ge runescape ge](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/UKZAA_9mQGg/maxresdefault.jpg)
This allowed players to escape to a safe area in the event they found themselves trapped by a glitch.
![runescape ge runescape ge](https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/2007scape/images/9/99/Grand_Exchange_pillar.png)
The Lumbridge Teleport spell was also deliberately broken so that it could be cast without runes even at level 1 Magic. Initially, only the Free-to-play area was available with new areas and quests released gradually over the beta period. This was deliberate, as Jagex wanted players to test all of their content. Players characters and stats were copied over from the live game, but their items and quest history were not. The new combat system was explained in detail in a 24 November newspost, exactly one week prior to the public Betas launch.Īs announced earlier, all members had access to the first phase of the RS2 public beta, which launched December 1 2003. However, RuneScape 2 was still released on schedule, because the developers came in early and on weekends to do extra work. 78% of voters wanted a 2003 Hallowe'en event. In one of their polls, they asked players if they would want a new Hallowe'en event but also delay the release of RuneScape 2 beta, or keep it on schedule and have a "pancake day" in February instead. Jagex originally did not want to create a Hallowe'en event for 2003, because they feared it would delay the planned release date of the beta. It was also revealed that the beta would become available on 1 December. The project was first referred to as "RuneScape 2" in an news post dated on 1 October 2003 (it was previously known as the "big 3D update" or the "new game engine"). Over time, Jagex released graphical previews as well as progress reports and other information about the many future changes. Jagex first announced the upcoming release of a "much faster 3D engine" on 11 June 2002.