2001scape
2001scape uses the Open Runescape Classic framework to replicate RuneScape Classic as the game client and user experience was on the date of 8 May 2001, which is 124 days from the original public release date of 4 January 2001.
Clients available
There are currently three recommended clients for playing 2001scape:
- mudclient 38
- This is accessed through the Open RSC Launcher. It is a minimally edited and authentic back-step from the real mudclient 39.
- RSC×
- This is a custom client with 3rd party features, based off of mudclient 38. It is available through the Open RSC Launcher.
- Web client based off of mudclient 38.
- This browser based version can be found at: https://game.openrsc.com/play/2001scape/members
Major differences from later iterations
RuneScape (Classic) evolved greatly between the date which 2001scape and Classic's final significant content updates before RuneScape 2 was released. Players familiar with RuneScape Classic in its final state (2018) will note many types of differences between the RSC Preservation and 2001scape builds.
Map
The map of 2001scape is limited to the following area:
Notably, at this point in time, Members areas had not been released, nor had the Wilderness. Only the Kingdom of Asgarnia, the Kingdom of Misthalin, and Al Kharid were present in the game.
While Karamja Island exists, it would not become accessible to players for another month, eventually releasing on 11 June 2001. Placeholder areas for Player owned houses are on the map in Falador and Varrock, but were never fully released or functional for the entirety of RuneScape Classic's support, and the mostly inaccessible place holders for the player homes were eventually removed in an update of the game. Crandor Island does not exist in the game files.
Skills
There are 19 skills in 2001scape, however only 14 are implemented and have a use.
- Attack
- Defense
- Strength
- Hits
- Ranged
- Thieving
- Influence
- PrayGood
- PrayEvil
- GoodMagic
- EvilMagic
- Cooking
- Tailoring
- Woodcutting
- Firemaking
- Crafting
- Smithing
- Mining
- Herblaw
By the end of its official lifespan in 2018, RuneScape Classic had 18 fully functioning skills.
Differences in Skill mechanics
- Attack exists, but you do not require it in order to wield higher level weaponry.
- Defense exists, but you do not require it in order to wield higher level armour.
- Ranged exists, but there is only one type of arrow and only the standard Longbow and Shortbow. Crossbows and Bolts existed, but Oyster pearl bolts did not.
- Cooking does not have the Fishing skill to accompany it. Players can only cook Meat, Bread, Cakes, and Pies. It is also possible to ferment Wine and obtain Half full wine jugs. Health restored from eating food is dependent on the players Cooking level. Players will stop burning rawmeat at level 36 cooking.
- Although Good/Evil Magic spells exist, the available spells only go up to level 14 between the two. There are no teleportation spells.
- There is no leather working in Crafting. There is no Silver and there are no Dragonstones. The crafting store in Al Kharid does not exist, but you can visit the one in Rimmington instead.
- Woodcutting exists, but you can only cut normal trees, as those are the only ones that exist. You cannot directly click on a tree to cut it, you must use the axe in your inventory with the tree. Trees give scaling Experience Points based on your current Woodcutting level.
- Mining exists, but you cannot see ores in rocks, and there is only one pickaxe. You must prospect a rock to see if there is ore in it, and what type of ore it is. You must use the pickaxe from your inventory on the rock; you cannot directly click on the rock to mine it.
- Smithing is nearly the same, except that you cannot make Runite items, with Runite ore not being added to the game until 13 August 2001.
Player versus player combat
Unless players change their type to a "Non Player-Killer" they may engage in combat with each other anywhere outside of Lumbridge and away from Guards. Dueling was not yet implemented, and the Wilderness did not yet exist. When players attack one another
Unique to 2001scape
- Influence
- Later replaced by the Quest Points system, Influence is represented as a skill in the Stats menu, and it is increased by completing quests.
- Player must have 20 Influence in order to enter the Champions Guild:
- This is the closest source of Chickens to a range, allowing players to obtain a high rate of Cooking and Combat experience. It also serves as one of the most convenient/efficient sources of health restoring items.
- This building is also host to Champion's Store run by Valaine. Players may purchase the best possible chest slot item in the game as far as defensive bonuses go, the Adamantite Plate Mail Body, from her for the cost of 40,040 GP. This store is the only possible place to purchase the item aside from trading with another player.
- Influence is used to haggle with the silk trader and Baraek.
- GoodMagic
- EvilMagic
- There are 2 Prayer skills as opposed to 1, and there are no Big Bones or Dragon Bones in 2001scape, only normal Bones.
Added after 2001scape
- Thieving
- Although this skill appears in the skills list, it is not possible to gain experience in other than by the experience received by completing the Spy Quest. There is no way to use the skill.
- Herblaw
- Although this skill appears in the skills list, it is not possible gain experience or levels in. There is no way to use the skill.
- Tailoring
- Prayer
- Magic
- Fishing
- Fletching
- Agility
Same as the final build of official RSC
Quests
There are only 15 quests available in 2001scape, while the final update in RuneScape Classic left the game with 50, the final being Legends Quest. There was no quest list at the time, and only in certain cases were they given names in their associated update post. The names of the quests would have been in the message given to the player in-game when they complete them, but most of these details are currently lost and not currently implemented in the 2001scape build.
It was common for players to use their own names for the quests. Some of these were found in a Tip.it poll, at sg.hu, and at ngrunescape.
# | Contemporary quest names | Later official name | Release date |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Cook's assistant | Cook's assistant | 4 January 2001 |
2 | Demonslayer quest Kill Delrith quest |
Demon slayer | 4 January 2001 |
3 | Ghost quest | The restless ghost | 4 January 2001 |
4 | Romeo and Juliet | Romeo & Juliet | 4 January 2001 |
5 | Woolgathering quest | Sheep Shearer | 4 January 2001 |
6 | Shield quest | Shield of Arrav | 4 January 2001 |
7 | Find Ernest Machine Quest The machine fixing quest |
Ernest the chicken | 21 January 2001 |
8 | Vampire Slayer | Vampire slayer | 28 January 2001 |
9 | Impcatcher quest Wizard Mizgog's Beads |
Imp catcher | 16 February 2001 |
10 | Rescue the Prince Ali | Prince Ali rescue | 28 February 2001 |
11 | Doric's Quest | Doric's quest | 6 April 2001 |
12 | Spy quest | Black knight's fortress | 6 April 2001 |
13 | Witch's Potion quest | Witch's potion | 6 April 2001 |
14 | Sword quest Squire Quest |
The knight's sword | 6 April 2001 |
15 | Goblin quest Goblin armor Quest |
Goblin diplomacy | 8 May 2001 |
Classes
Main article: Classes
You can choose your Class when you create your account. This gives a small boost at the beginning of your journey into the specialty of your choice.
Bank
Banking in 2001scape is limited compared to later iterations of the game, with the player only being able to store coins. There is no graphical interface, and storage is completed by talking to a Banker NPC and proceeding through dialogue options. Other items cannot be stored anywhere except in your inventory.
It is currently permissible for players on the Open RSC hosted version of 2001scape to use extra accounts in order to store items, although abusing extra accounts to gain surplus quest rewards is prohibited. During the official duration of RuneScape Classic, having multiple accounts was an offence which could result in the player being banned or other wise punished in some fashion, such as being sent to the Black Hole which was added to the game on 17 March 2001.
Fatigue
There is no Fatigue system in 2001scape, this feature was only added later on 13 November 2002 via Update:Latest RuneScape News (13 November 2002).
See also
- RSC Kale is a planned extension of 2001scape, which will introduce custom 2001 inspired content, similar to RSC Cabbage, created and curated by Open RSC community. There is currently a Discord channel dedicated to this development within the communities Discord server.