Old School RuneScape is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG), developed and published by Jagex.

The game has since received engine improvements, new content, and quality of life updates largely decided by the community via in-game polls.

Users can gain experience points (XP) and level up individual skills, making their playable character more powerful in various ways.

[5] One of the more helpful features is a button that allows players to search or look up information about items and entities on the game's wiki.

[6] Content exclusive to Old School RuneScape has also been added, such as the areas of Fossil Island[7] and Great Kourend,[8] minigames such as The Inferno and the Volcanic Mine,[9] quests such as Dragon Slayer II[10] and Song of the Elves,[11] bosses such as the Nightmare of Ashihama,[12] and skilling activities such as Rooftop Agility and Forestry.

[13] Skilled players can complete difficult raids such as the Chambers of Xeric,[14] the Theatre of Blood,[15] and the Tombs of Amascut.

[17][18] First introduced in October 2014,[19] Ironman Mode is often considered one of the most difficult ways to play the game, as many late-game items are only obtainable as a rare drop from high level bosses.

If one player kills another, the victor receives a key to a chest letting them loot valuable items from their victim's bank.

[21][22] Old School RuneScape largely takes place in the fictional realm of Gielinor, a planet filled with multiple environments and climates.

It is divided into kingdoms and is inhabited by humans, vampyres, elves, monkeys, dwarves, fairies, gnomes, goblins, trolls, ogres, giants, and more.

[27] The God Wars lasted for 4,000 years, and finally ended when the region of Forinthry was obliterated by Zamorak, transforming it into the extremely dangerous wasteland known as the Wilderness.

Enraged by the destruction, he led his army to Forinthry, ended the war, and established the Edicts of Guthix, which banished all other gods from Gielinor.

[citation needed] Guthix retreated into the depths of Gielinor and wept, then returning to a deep slumber.

After 2,000 years, human mages rediscovered Runecrafting, the ability to create runestones to use magic, marking the beginning of the Fifth Age.

Jagex did however incorporate three of the five incentives of the highest tier by approving vote-based polls on all new content, upgraded bot protection, and no additional fees to play Old School.

With the exception of game balance and integrity and seasonal events, all updates and changes are polled, and are voted on in-game.

[40] In some instances, suggestions made by fans and players have been put to polls and, if passed, were subsequently added to the game.

[46] 117Scape's HD Plugin, a third-party mod improving the visuals of the game while retaining its distinct style, was released on 14 September 2021.

Old School RuneScape released a closed beta for a mobile app on 13 April 2018,[52] then fully launched on 30 October 2018.

[53] Additionally, Jagex hosts separate, recurring "Deadman Tournaments" where players can qualify for a final elimination round, incentivized by monetary prizes.

[72] The Cambridge News wrote "since its resurrection, the game has continued to embrace, celebrate, and expand on its origins to provide a truly nostalgic PvP experience for its growing legions of players.

"[73] Heavy.com stated "there’s a sense of nostalgia to OSRS that keeps people playing and it features the loved “player killing” aspect of the game that was removed for a period of time.

"[87] LGBT pride-themed events were reintroduced on an annual basis in 2022, with each rewarding additional rainbow and pride flag-coloured attire.

[88][89][90] The playerbase strongly opposes the introduction of microtransactions[91][92] as the rules of RuneScape prohibit players from engaging in the real-world sale or purchase of in-game items, gold, or services.

Due to the ongoing economic crisis in the country, gold farming has also become the primary source of real-world income for many Venezuelan players.

[97] Venezuelan and Spanish-speaking players have been subjected to increased prejudice within the community due to their perceived role in gold farming.

[98][99] Fan-made YouTube Let's Play series of the game's Ironman mode with additional self-imposed handicaps or challenges are very popular amongst the community.