Why is it that Runescape is so popular? Why is it that Runescape is the most popular MMORPG according to Guiness World Records? Why is it that there are almost 150 million accounts created in this game?

I have thought about it, and I’ll present to you a small list of reasons for its success.

The Setting

Let’s face it, everyone likes medieval setting for games, and even more so if they include some fantasy on it. In fact, the Runescape world is everything but a bland medieval world. It has a life of its own, and is remarkable. The name of Falador and Varrock will stay in the minds of those who’ve played it. There are Kingdoms, there are Kings, there’s a desert, an island, a gnome-town. What else can you ask for? Elves? Oh yes, they’re here too.

The Skills

It’s not everyday that you see a game with these many crafting skills. And also with supply gathering ones. It just simulates the world of a random medieval person, and not a wonderful warrior like most MMORPG’s. I mean, what’s more normal – having a lot of champion knights running around, or having some crafters, some smithers, some miners, and some fighters? It just brings alive the dream of a lot of people: living life in that time period. You can mine for a living, supplying yourself on armour, and then sell what you don’t need to supply yourself of food and other things you may need. The skills in Runescape have a special charm.

The Economy

Runescape simulates real life Economy in a multitude of ways. There’s supply and demand, there are prices and priorities, there’s resource management. This game teaches a lot of economic stuff, in a fun way. And it works exceedingly well. It’s just almost like real life inside a computer screen on this matter. Of course in Runescape everything’s controled, but you get my point.

The Quests

Dozens of quests, various questlines, all well written and with humor, and nice rewards. It’s a part of all RPG’s, and it’s done well here. A simple quest of giving suggestions to goblins can turn out to be a massive beggining of an epic battle. And it’s fun. But, obviously, most people do them only for the rewards, and that’s not a bad thing, but just because they do, doesn’t mean the quests itself aren’t well done. Another good plus for the game.

The Grinding

Haha, this one can be doubtful, right? Grinding is an annoying thing. But it’s well covered for here. There are rewards for gaining levels, you can interact while grinding, and let’s not lie. There is not any other game that made you WANT to grind more than Runescape. And that’s saying something.

The Low Requirements

Everyone can play this game. Nearly everyone can play it in HD, and event those who don’t, can certainly play in standard detail. It’s a browser game, no download required, it doesn’t lag your computer, it has good artwork to cover up for not being the most graphical game ever. It’s accessible to everyone, and I rest my case.