 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
RuneScape
Common Sense Media says
Medieval multiplayer game isn't for all kids.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that RuneScape discussion forums can be read by anyone, but only paying members can post messages. Some of the topics contain barely disguised vulgarities and sexual references, though there are moderators who keep an eye on things and who can ban users who get too out of line. Under the terms and conditions agreed to at sign-up, players must use the chat feature only as an extension of their role-playing activities. The terms and conditions document warns against inappropriate behavior, and extensive instructions are given to help the user block unwanted communications using the built-in game functions. Combat and dueling is an important part of the game; however, according to passionate discussions in the forum, there is a lot of cold-blooded murder going on, too.
What's it about?
Before you enter RuneScape's virtual world, you'll have to be trained on Tutorial Island, where you learn a few essential skills such as fire making, fishing, cooking, mining, slaying monsters, and throwing spells. Once you've completed the tutorial phase, you're free to wander anywhere you like. You may be sent on a quest to find ingredients for a cake, or you may be asked to go on a spy mission. Successful completion of a quest brings a reward. Two versions of RuneScape are offered: one is free, while the other requires a paid subscription of a few dollars per month. Paid members get access to additional lands, skills, and quests. In the game, avatars represent players. You choose your avatar's appearance from a limited selection. As you watch the movements of other players' avatars, you'll notice many have rich clothing or heavy armor. Items can be won, bought, or traded with other players.
Is it any good?
Teens and tweens, especially boys, will be fascinated by this role-playing game. But parents should look over their shoulders and see what's really going on. Is the player slaying dragons or other humans? It is possible to play this fascinating game without the murder and mayhem, so RuneScape gets a cautionary yellow for "know your kid."
Online interaction: There's lots of online interaction in this immensely popular, global massively multiplayer online role-playing game. Swearing is discouraged, if not outright forbidden. The interactions can be impassioned -- borne of a love of the game -- but aren't mean-spirited.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the pros and cons of this game. What do you learn that may be valuable in the real world? How do you feel about the violent aspects of the game?
Families can also talk about online chat. Should parents give kids under age 13 permission to use the site's full chat features? Why or why not?
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- Teens & kids
AGE
And 5th graders parents let them play Grand Theft...
And complain about Runescape!!! I am a 45 yr mother and have let my daughter play (free) Runescape for 4 years now....she's turning 13 in September. I have no problem with that game. She know's it's just a game (not to mention it's all midieval) It's not like she's going out and jacking cars and killing cops......put it in perspective. Some kids play Grand Theft and think it's ok to go out and do it in real life......Kids playing Ruinscape are more likely to be cutting down trees or doing quests..
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AGE
Okay for teens, you decide for anyone younger.
It has it's bad parts, and some younger kids shouldn't play it. It does have beer in it, but no drugs or smoking. Every now and then a player can slip in a cuss word past the state of the art blocker. My younger brother plays, and he did learn to type, spell, and read much better than he use to. I did as well, but not by much.
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AGE
Good for first timers to mmo's
It is quite mild but since PvP has been abandonded its not that fun. It is fun for A while but the lack of updates makes it boring over time. PLAY BEFORE PLAYING THE MMORPG MABINOGI THIS GAME IS SIMPLE (NON-MEMBER VERSION) TO GIVE YOU THE FEEL OF AN MMORPG IF YOU HAVEN'T PLAYED ONE BEFORE.
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AGE
Play first, then judge
This is a game that is massive. It litterally has no end; it could go on forever. Believe it, this game is actually educational. There was a study done on this game and it showed people that played had an increased knowledge of personal finance and time management. There is some drinking in the game, but it isn't an issue because your attack is slowed. If you have patience, you will enjoy this game 10 times more. This game keeps my mind occupied but exercises it at the same time. Its not just senseless killing, its a thriving world with endless possibilities.
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AGE
Its realy fun.
K, I dont understand why some poeple put drinking as a problem? lol... in runescape you can drink bear, ale, and wiskey but its not like it does anything? just a item and all you do is drink to give more hit points.. you cant get drunk... on a different note, runescape is my favorate game. i got 600M and im lvl 132. i played 8 yrs and found to problem with it ever... seriously parents, i advice 7+ even though i dont want them on becuz they will just annoy me =P
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AGE
Helps improve life skills
This is the most popular game on the internet is what I heard and would probably say. When the website was older I saw it saying that RuneScape is a game that teaches some life skills, but that line is now long forgotten. I would still say this is helpfull in learning... stuff. When I first started playing I didn't know anything about ores on Earth, but after a while, in school I became better at identifying ores and rocks! The players are barely innapropriate, although sometimes they use the term "noob" in a harsh way. I'd say this is recomended for people learning at an age of 9 or higher.
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AGE
RuneScape is a great, safe, and fun game for kids.
I am a mother of two boys, and my older son plays RuneScape. I have watched him several times, and I have no concern whatsoever about this game. There is minimum violence, but compared to all the violence in the real world, RuneScape violence does not seem to stand out at all. There is no blood at all, and swords or daggers don't even touch the opponent. There is alcohol, but drinking does lower your strength, and my son says that this is not a good thing. Therefore, the alcohol issue is not that big. The game does teach kids to save up for what they want, and teamwork is required in many minigames. There is almost no swearing, for curses will be blocked and will show up as little stars. For offensive players, moderators wander around RuneScape, banning them. The game is a little addictive for my son, but ever since I installed parental controls so that he has limited computer time, he has been doing just fine. Personally, I think this game is a fun, sometimes educational, and overall, a pretty great game. For my son, RuneScape is a great replacement for World of Warcraft, which I recently banned him from due to innapropriate content.
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AGE
Good (Not Great)
It is a good (not great) game. The is no blood or extreme violence, but there are some issues. One is that there are sexual issues in gameplay. Partial nudity posses a problem in the game. I'm a Runescape player myself and I have seen or read about details in the game.
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AGE
Wait, runescape is PG-13? there is no serious violence, and the fights do not involve blood, just a few wacks and falling over. Why do people think this game is not for kids? You guys at common sense media suck at rating.
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Kid, 12 years old
February 10, 2010
AGE
poifect for ages 0 and up!
yeah this game is AWSOME!
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| Genre: | Gaming |
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