Code of Conduct
The Code of Conduct (also called the Rules of Old School RuneScape) is part of the terms and conditions of playing RuneScape. When players make an account, they agree to be bound by the rules and to face punishment (i.e. a ban or a mute) if they do not abide by them. Jagex's Customer Support team may apply a variety of sanctions against rule breakers, up to a permanent account ban. Lesser offences may result in a warning, temporary ban, or a temporary or permanent mute.
The RuneScape Forums operate under a set of slightly modified rules also called the Code of Conduct. Some sections of the rules are tailored and expanded upon to make them more suitable for the Forums. You can find more information about the Code of Conduct in RuneScape Forums. There are also specific rules tailored to each specific forum, called the "Forum Specific Rules", and they can be found by clicking on the link near the top of each forum.
Keeping your account's offences to a minimum contributes to a greater chance of successfully becoming a Player Moderator. If you feel that someone is violating one of the Rules of RuneScape, you can report the offending player using the "Report Abuse" button below the chatbox on the lower-right hand side.
Note: These rules were copied from the RuneScape website, but we cannot guarantee that they are accurate or up-to-date. Therefore, the rules given here cannot be taken as definitive, only those listed on the RuneScape website can. It is individual players' responsibility to ensure that they abide by Jagex's current rules and policies at all times in the game, on the RuneScape Forums, and everywhere else. Jagex rules are also enforced on this wiki, and any user who posts information or advice on how to break rules may be blocked from editing.
2024 rule updates
On 24 April 2024, Jagex moved the in-game "Report Abuse" interface towards the chatbox area rather than covering the player's game view as to not interrupt combat, block menu windows, and also to increase the user-interface effectiveness whilst on the mobile version. Other features of the new "Report Abuse" interface include:
- Enabling keyboard short-cuts for each rule such that typing '1' would report the player typed on the top of the interface for macroing, or '3' for advertising websites. This may be handy when sending reports for the same few rules.
- The menu's scrollbar remembers its position during the player's session such that the player does not have to scroll up or down too much when using the menu to report more than one player at once.
- A "Law-breaking content" button that leads to a request form for only residents of EU Member State countries to report law-breaking content if it ever pops up in-game. Clicking on this button will lead to a Jagex Support Request browser form where players can fill out potential illegal content that occured whilst in-game. Players who submit this form will need to agree to use the form as intended and agreeing to the Jagex Privacy Policy as this form may be shared with the police or Law Enforcement Agencies in the EU.
On 14 August 2024, Jagex added a Deathmatching option under the Staff impersonation violation. Deathmatching is a player-versus-player match to the death in which high stakes are wagered on the fight. The winner takes all the loot and money dropped by the loser. Deathmatching is often linked to real-world trading, and players typically agree to use a standard set of equipment and not heal during the fight. Deathmatching is not allowed and also violates the Games of Chance section of the game rules.
The rules in the new chatbox area include the following:
1. Macroing or use of bots
2. Seriously offensive language
3. Advertising websites
4. Scamming
5. Breaking real-world laws
6. Real-life threats
7. Real-world trading
8. Offensive display name
9. Buying/Selling accounts and services
A. Asking for or providing contact information
B. Solicitation
C. Encouraging rule breaking
D. Player-run Games of Chance
E. Exploiting a bug
F. Disruptive behaviour
G. Staff impersonation
H. Deathmatching
The following actions will take place for players who participate in Deathmatching starting 15 August 2024:
- 1st Offence will result in a 3-day ban and wealth removal
- Continued offences will result in a permanent ban and wealth removal
2021 rule updates
On 23 March 2021, rule ten was updated separately to include services alongside account trading e.g. training, quests and completing The Inferno for an infernal cape. However this does not include multi-player content where the player does not share their account - for instance employing the services of a Barbarian Assault team using in-game gold for a fighter torso.
On 2 September 2021, Jagex reworded and clarified the Rules of RuneScape on their website. It was mostly rewording of existing rules, however formerly ambiguous rules or "grey areas" were clarified as follows.
- Buying/selling and sharing accounts: Players must not share, transfer or lend their account to anyone else. You may have as many game accounts as you like, but each account should only be used by the person who created it. All game accounts are the property of Jagex and players are only granted limited permission to use accounts. Nobody has our permission to sell accounts.
- Macroing and third-party software/hardware: People also call this 'botting.' It means using software or hardware that can help you play the game with the software or hardware doing things for you that you should be doing yourself. Our games are meant to be played by humans - if you cheat, you are likely to be banned, even if it is the first time you have broken the rules.
Software that is not allowed includes anything that:
- Tries to interact with our game worlds without logging in.
- Tries to look at or change the communications between your device and our game worlds.
- Performs things in-game for you that you're meant to be doing yourself.
- Changes parts of our game. Copying the code we use to run our games is not allowed. Using edited versions of our game code is not allowed. Other software that shows pages or content from our website(s) must not be used to go to our website unless the software follows all of our other rules.
- Repeatedly asks for information from our website or is extremely demanding on our website. Each page on our website should only load if you open the page yourself.
- Gets around the normal steps used to log in. Software should make sure you log in as normal to reach a game world.
- Hides or supports hiding any of the adverts on our website.
- Tries to make it easier to enter a busy game world than it would be for users not using the software.
- Has its own chat feature separate from our game chat that does not follow our rules. If the software has a chat function, then it should make it very clear to users that this chat is not part of our games and is not official, supported by, or moderated by Jagex Limited ("Jagex") This chat should still be moderated (just not by us), and the moderators should not allow chat that does not follow our rules set out on this page. Silver or gold crowns should also only be used to identify moderators in the official game chat.
- Uses any of the unacceptable features specifically banned in our Message About Unofficial Clients which can be found here.
Updated rules
As of 22 October 2015 per the Abyssal Bludgeon Buff update, Jagex has updated the Report Abuse menu, adding some options that were not previously offered in Old School RuneScape, such as 'Offensive Name' and rewording others for consistency with Jagex's other products.
The updated rules are as followed:
- Seriously offensive language
- Scamming
- Breaking real-world laws
- Exploiting a bug (bug abuse)
- Staff impersonation
- Encouraging rule breaking (all rules included)
- Macroing or use of bots
- Offensive account name
- Advertising websites
- Buying/selling accounts and services
- Asking for or providing contact information (addresses, phone numbers, emails, etc.)
- Solicitation
- Player-run Games of Chance (such as trust trades, commission staking, dicing, and gambling[1])
- Disruptive behaviour
- Real-life threats
Deadman Mode: Reborn
During Deadman: Reborn, two additional rules were added alongside the Code of Conduct. Players could report other players breaking these rules through the Report Abuse interface.
- Boxing in the Deadman Qualifiers and Finale
- Muling in the Deadman Qualifiers and Finale
Boxing is the act of remaining safe by attacking NPCs in single-way combat, with little fear of being attacked by a player. Muling is the act of intentionally moving valuable items onto other accounts to prevent losing them when dying.
Old rules (27 Nov 2014 - 22 Oct 2015)
On 27 November 2014, Jagex slightly modified the rules as follows:
- Offensive language (includes spamming)
- Item scamming
- Password scamming
- Bug abuse (cheating)
- Jagex staff impersonation
- Encouraging others to break rules (all rules included)
- Macroing (using third-party software like bots)
- Advertising websites
- Real world item trading
- Asking for personal details (addresses, phone numbers, emails, etc.)
- Player harassment[2]
- Games of chance (such as trust trades, commission staking, dicing, and gambling[1])
Original rules
Prior to the Integrity Survey Followup update on 27 November 2014, there were 15 rules. They were later reduced to 13, however.
The former rules include:
- Offensive language (includes spamming) - You must not use any language that is offensive, racist or obscene.
- Item scamming - You must not scam or deceive other players.
- Password scamming - Asking for another player's password for any reason will not be tolerated.
- Bug abuse (cheating) - Any bugs found within the game must be reported to Jagex immediately.
- Jagex staff impersonation - You should not attempt to impersonate Jagex staff in any way.
- Account sharing/trading - Each account should only be used by ONE person.
- Using third-party software like bots (titled "Macroing" in-game) - You must not use other programs to gain an unfair advantage at the game. Jagex have also said they will not be banning players for using 3rd party clients[3].
- Multiple logging in - If you create more than one RuneScape account, they must not interact.
- Encouraging others to break rules (all rules included) - You must not encourage others to break any of the RuneScape rules.
- False representations (later renamed to "Misuse of customer support" and removed from in-game report screen) - This service must be used appropriately and treated with respect at all times.
- Advertising/website - You are not allowed to actively advertise in the RuneScape game or RuneScape Forums.
- Real world item trading - RuneScape items must only be exchanged for other items/services within the game.
- Asking for personal details (addresses, phone numbers, emails, etc.) - To protect players' safety and privacy, you must not ask for personal details.
- Misuse of official forums - Forums must be used respectfully at all times.
- Advertisement blocking - Please do not block the adverts in free-to-play RuneScape.
Private servers
A RuneScape private server, or RSPS, is a game based upon a RuneScape version, not run by Jagex. Operating an RSPS without Jagex's consent, in some jurisdictions, constitutes copyright infringement. Jagex strongly discourages using a private server, due to the risks of malware and theft of personal information[4].
Multiple logging-in
| “ | You are free to create as many accounts as you like, and you are welcome to trade between your accounts just as you would with any other player - you can log into two accounts at the same time to do this if you wish. Trading wealth or items between your own accounts is done entirely at your own risk. We advise that you use the trade system we supply to trade between your own accounts. Unusual trade methods like dropping, death or trust trades are particularly risky and we strongly advise against them.
If any of your accounts obtained items or wealth through rule breaking activity, for example macro use or real-world trading, then all your accounts may be banned. Also, multi-logged accounts must not interact with each other to gain an unfair advantage in game play, such as ‘rigging’ the result of a minigame. For example, it is against the rules to have a number of accounts in a minigame all controlled by the same person, in order to try and guarantee the minigame outcome. |
” |
Third-party clients
Players may only use official clients – the New Official Client and Mobile – as well as approved third-party clients: RuneLite and HDOS. Using other third-party software to play Old School RuneScape violates the Rules of RuneScape, and may result in a temporary or permanent ban.[6][7]
Consequences for abuse
Jagex may take action against players who violate the Code of Conduct in the game or in the RuneScape Forums. Offences, their evidence and subsequent punishments can be viewed and appealed by players using the Account Status system.
Mute
A mute is a form of punishment given by in-game Player Moderators or Jagex Moderators (the Customer Support team) to players who are guilty of breaching the Code of Conduct. Mutes given out by Player Moderators last up to 48 hours, long enough for Jagex's Customer Support team to investigate the situation. A muted player will not be able to talk in-game or on the RuneScape Forums; however, they can still play the game as usual and trade with other players.
Ban
Game bans restrict players' access to their accounts, usually for repeated or severe violations of the Code of Conduct. If the player appeals their ban, it may be accepted, either restoring the account completely or with a permanent mute.
Bans from the RuneScape Forums are given by Forum Moderators and Jagex Moderators for essentially similar reasons to those in-game; however, they also include flaming, spamming and other forum-specific rules. If a player is muted or banned from the game, they are also automatically banned from the Forums.
Changes
| Date | Changes |
|---|---|
| [[{{#explode:8 August 2024| |0}} {{#explode:8 August 2024| |1}}]] [[{{#explode:8 August 2024| |2}}]] (update) |
Deathmatching is NOT allowed and violates the Games of Chance section of our Game Rules. |
| [[{{#explode:24 April 2024| |0}} {{#explode:24 April 2024| |1}}]] [[{{#explode:24 April 2024| |2}}]] (update) |
The Report Abuse menu interface is now in the chat menu, and has hotkeys for specific rules. Players can now also report law-breaking content within the game. |
| [[{{#explode:22 October 2015| |0}} {{#explode:22 October 2015| |1}}]] [[{{#explode:22 October 2015| |2}}]] (update) |
The Report Abuse menu has new options, like 'Offensive Name', and rewording other rules for consistency with Jagex's other products. |
| [[{{#explode:27 November 2014| |0}} {{#explode:27 November 2014| |1}}]] [[{{#explode:27 November 2014| |2}}]] (update | poll) |
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