Emily's Musings

YA Log #3: RuneScape

Ok, in my continuing efforts to work on my YA homework, I sat down to play RuneScape, which is apparently quite popular with teens in many libraries.

As it describes itself on the web site, "RuneScape is a massive 3d multiplayer adventure, with monsters to kill, quests to complete, and treasure to win."

I immediately got sucked into it and also realized, once again, really how awful I am at these types of games. The orientation module is great, it walks you through doing all sorts of tasks -- cut down a tree to make fire wood, light the fire, use the net to catch some shrimp and throw them on the fire (try not to burn them), etc. You follow a path and meet different guides who reveal a little more of the world's workings to you -- you learn to run, to fight, to bake bread, to cast spells, etc. Then they throw you into the "mainland" and that's when I hit my wall. You can go on quests where people ask you to find things for them, and I found the chef and he asked for flour and eggs and milk but then I spent an awfully long time wandering around trying to find a store with food to sell or a chicken or a cow or something. Eventually I gave up when I realized how much time had passed and remembered how much other stuff I was supposed to be doing.

According to the front page of the site, there are currently 43,141 people playing right now (8:15pm pacific). There are also countless fan sites, discussion boards, and online communities of the game players (eventually I did find some helpful hints to the Cook's Assistant Quest for the next time I venture back into the world.) There are even RuneScape Meetup Groups

Here's a small screenshot - not sure if you can see her but my character is there with the pigtails. (She's LibGrrl05 if you want to add her to your friends list)

The Covington Branch of the Kenton County Public Library (KY) even has "Runescape Night for Teens." They advertise it: "Calling all Runescape players! This night is just for you! Two hours of non-stop Runescape! Space is limited, so sign-up in advance!" (Thursday, 6:30-8:30pm)

An article in VOYA about the Phoenix Public Library (AZ) mentions RuneScape as well as one of the activities going on in their teen area: "Still others just want to unwind and play RuneScape® on the Internet with their friends." Wells Branch in Texas has "Runescape Night:  After closing, every computer will be dedicated to youth ages 12-18 for Runescape.  Reserve a machine now for $3. $5 at the door (if available)" which is part of their Children's Programming. And a quick search shows that many libraries around the country link to the game on their links pages.

I think I'll add a RuneScape night to my YA programming plan that I'm supposed to be working on for class. We could tie it in with some great fantasy adventure stories. I think a summer reading program where you had to undertake quests similar to those found in the game (learning new skills, reading new kinds of books, earning higher levels) would be great fun.

I'm hoping that there are teen phone volunteers at the KTEH pledge drive this weekend so I can discretely observe them :)