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  • Report:  #317540

Complaint Review: Jagex Runescape - London Internet

Reported By:
- London, Other,
Submitted:
Updated:

Jagex Runescape
.runescape.com London, Internet, United Kingdom
Web:
N/A
Categories:
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The Real Age of RuneScape Players

If you visit the RuneScape site or try to sign up for a new account, you get the following message:RuneScape is limited to users aged 13 and older. The RuneScape web site likewise says that it is only for those 13 and up. This might lead you to believe that RuneScape players are over 13, but the reality is very different.

This issue of just how old RuneScape players are is critically important, because official declarations of players being 13 or older are used as justification by some people for Jagex's policies. Many players wave away concerns over the dangers of the game by saying that it is only for those over 13, and that players are adequately warned about risks or that they should know better than to fall for scams. Well, even a 13-year-old is not always capable of making wise decisions, but the level of judgment of a 9-year-old is that much less. Most of the victims of scams in the game are newer, younger players.

So how old are the players in RuneScape? For starters, the game has been around for over five years, but the age 13 restriction is much more recent. As a result, there are tens of thousands if not hundreds of thousands of active RuneScape players right now who were under that age limit before it was put into place and are still under 13, playing completely within the rules.

The large pool of young players, combined with the game's simplicity, free accounts and cartoon-like appearance, have combined to create a huge word of mouth effect. Thousands of school-aged kids sign up for RuneScape every day simply because their friends play, ignoring the over 13 requirement easily.

Let's also consider Jagex's Parents' Guide, which until very recently said nowhere that the game is intended for those 13 and older. In fact, it contains comments saying that RuneScape is for all ages to enjoy, that it is accessible to people of all ages; and a fantastic opportunity for people of all ages and races to come together.

Unfortunately, matters get even worse. Jagex is not only making it easy for kids to join this game, the company is actively making the game appeal to kids, and marketing the game to them. In the last year Jagex has made the game more and more kid-friendly, through a process that older players describe asdumbing down. This includes changes that make it easy for younger players to avoid getting lost in the game, giving them free supplies, making banking easier in the start town of Lumbridge, and more.

Then there is the matter of the newly released RuneScape: The Official Handbook, which is raising many eyebrows. This book, which lists Jagex Limited as the copyright holder, is produced by Scholastic Inc., which calls itself the largest publisher and distributor of children's books in the world. The company is also the largest operator of school-based book clubs and school-based book fairs in the U.S.

The handbook itself carries an age recommendation of 9 to 12. It is written in very simple, kid-friendly English, and filled with cartoon illustrations. And it is indeed being marketed directly to children. One friend of mine in Australia had her 10-year-old daughter bring home a Scholastic book club flyer that featured the RuneScape Official Handbook on the front page. Another friend in Canada had her 11-year-old son bring home a Scholastic flyer for the Click! Interactive Learning Club, which described the game as for ages 8 and up.

Does any of this sound consistent with a game that is supposed to be only for those over 13?

Is it not illegal to offer 8+ kid's active accounts in online games.

Free Speech:

It is mentioned on Runescape.com that you dont enjoy your free speech rights on their website. There is no way to contact the customer support. People ie, players get banned if they complain against Jagex in game forums about customer support, jagex staff or any moderators. They have automated customer support since 2001 which responds with same text word by word and the reply is always the same no matter what your querry.

They even ban you for saying you dont like Runescape. It's absurd how they treat their customers.

Runescape player

London

United Kingdom


3 Updates & Rebuttals

J Buelow

Langley,
British Columbia,
Canada
Qwerty

#2Consumer Comment

Fri, June 27, 2008

You state us as though you may have connections to Jagex and if so you are the only Jagex staff to do so as yet if you are a member of Jagex staff I would suggest you start dealing with your customers properly with proper e-mail and or phone contacts as your current system stinks like donkey poo...if you aren't Jagex staff seek help cause all you are doing is stopping the real company personnel for exposing themselves as the leeching vampires they are.


Qwerty

Toronto,
Ontario,
Canada
Read

#3REBUTTAL Individual responds

Mon, June 23, 2008

Terms and Conditions: A SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT PRETEENS AND USERS UNDER 18 If you are under 13 years old you will be able to create an account but unable to disclose personal data through the game or website. Any personal data collected by us, which we find subsequently to be from someone under 13, will be automatically deleted. We recommend that parents / guardians set up an account and play together with their children. Many parents have reported that playing Jagex Products as a family is fun and rewarding. If you are under 13 and subscribe to the members' version of our game you are representing (i.e. making a promise) that you have consent from your parents / guardian to use Jagex Products in accordance with our terms and conditions and privacy policy. We reserve the right to permanently ban any account if we are not satisfied that such consent has been given. If you are under 18, by using our website you are representing (i.e. making a promise) that you have consent from your parents / guardian to use Jagex Products in accordance with our terms and conditions and privacy policy. We reserve the right to permanently ban any account if we are not satisfied that such consent has been given. If we are notified by a parent that their child has lied about their age when registering for Jagex Products, we will terminate the account provided we have confirmation which satisfies us that the reporting person is indeed the parent or guardian. Therefore you need parents permission to play at the age below 13. Doesn't mean you can't play if your 13 or under, you have no proof that the players who you suspect are 13 or under have parents permission. You also have young players and new players mixed. Jagex has made the game easier for new players, who get lost or don't know what to do. That doesnt mean it makes it easier for younger children.


Runescape player

London,
Europe,
United Kingdom
Runescape - Ruinedscape

#4Author of original report

Thu, March 13, 2008

The Real Age of RuneScape Players If you visit the RuneScape site or try to sign up for a new account, you get the following message: RuneScape is limited to users aged 13 and older. The RuneScape web site likewise says that it is only for those 13 and up. This might lead you to believe that RuneScape players are over 13, but the reality is very different. This issue of just how old RuneScape players are is critically important, because official declarations of players being 13 or older are used as justification by some people for Jagex's policies. Many players wave away concerns over the dangers of the game by saying that it is only for those over 13, and that players are adequately warned about risks or that they should know better than to fall for scams. Well, even a 13-year-old is not always capable of making wise decisions, but the level of judgment of a 9-year-old is that much less. Most of the victims of scams in the game are newer, younger players. So how old are the players in RuneScape? For starters, the game has been around for over five years, but the age 13 restriction is much more recent. As a result, there are tens of thousands if not hundreds of thousands of active RuneScape players right now who were under that age limit before it was put into place and are still under 13, playing completely within the rules. The large pool of young players, combined with the game's simplicity, free accounts and cartoon-like appearance, have combined to create a huge word of mouth effect. Thousands of school-aged kids sign up for RuneScape every day simply because their friends play, ignoring the over 13 requirement easily. Let's also consider Jagex's Parents' Guide, which until very recently said nowhere that the game is intended for those 13 and older. In fact, it contains comments saying that RuneScape is for all ages to enjoy, that it is accessible to people of all ages; and a fantastic opportunity for people of all ages and races to come together. Unfortunately, matters get even worse. Jagex is not only making it easy for kids to join this game, the company is actively making the game appeal to kids, and marketing the game to them. In the last year Jagex has made the game more and more kid-friendly, through a process that older players describe as dumbing down. This includes changes that make it easy for younger players to avoid getting lost in the game, giving them free supplies, making banking easier in the start town of Lumbridge, and more. Then there is the matter of the newly released RuneScape: The Official Handbook, which is raising many eyebrows. This book, which lists Jagex Limited as the copyright holder, is produced by Scholastic Inc., which calls itself the largest publisher and distributor of children's books in the world. The company is also the largest operator of school-based book clubs and school-based book fairs in the U.S. The handbook itself carries an age recommendation of 9 to 12. It is written in very simple, kid-friendly English, and filled with cartoon illustrations. And it is indeed being marketed directly to children. One friend of mine in Australia had her 10-year-old daughter bring home a Scholastic book club flyer that featured the RuneScape Official Handbook on the front page. Another friend in Canada had her 11-year-old son bring home a Scholastic flyer for the Click! Interactive Learning Club, which described the game as for ages 8 and up. Does any of this sound consistent with a game that is supposed to be only for those over 13? Is it not illegal to offer 8+ kid's active accounts in online games. Free Speech: It is mentioned on Runescape.com that you dont enjoy your free speech rights on their website. There is no way to contact the customer support. People ie, players get banned if they complain against Jagex in game forums about customer support, jagex staff or any moderators. They have automated customer support since 2001 which responds with same text word by word and the reply is always the same no matter what your querry. They even ban you for saying you dont like Runescape. It's absurd how they treat their customers. Runescape player London United Kingdom

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