"Age is a question of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter." - Leroy Paige

No, don't be mistaken. I'm not here to beat down on the old man that RuneScape is becoming. The game is still fascinating and whether it's the Damage Incorporated or RuneScape Dinasty fighting over a 1st place in the Clan World, we get to see the best of the game, as is. What I mean is something far less obvious, namely the fact that we are indeed ageing. The flow-through of new players is weak and slow, to say the least, which you all attested when Zybez had a topic about new upcoming clans or teams. The criticism was as diverse as the visual range of potatoes, "what are these clans doing in this list, they arent breakthrough players, I've known them for years."

How right most of you were back then. And this does not just limit itself to the top clans sticking to what and, more importantly, whom they know, as they always keep adding and removing the same group of players. No, the problem is a general one and one that also affects the community side of things.

We are a MMORPG title carried by individuals. Altruistic and noble, sure. But individuals nontheless. People who, of their own accord, decided that they'd like to contribute something to the community they grew up in or enjoyed playing for. RuneScape Community is run that way. Jagex Cup is run that way, and also the Tip.it Clan Tournament. Had it not been for the individuals of all these initiatives, you could kiss the JCup and TICT goodbye. Sure, you'd say that "someone" would step up and do the same. You'd hope that, wouldn't you? Who would have hosted Tip.It Clan Tournament when HA Richards did not put his shoulders under the RuneScape scene? You? Not likely.

Age brings wisdom, but also many more worries and this is where the problems lie. Individuals age and grow older. The body and mind is probably still willing, but MMORPG (especially RuneScape) isn't as profitable as some of you might imagine. When real life rears its nasty head and tells you to focus on your studies, you have choices to make.


Joolker and Hemlock discussing Zybez in a few years.

As the game ages, so too its people and this eventually causes people to drop out, move away or give up. The same in my life and many of you, I'm in my University first year and have a lot of work to hand in every now and than. The general idea is as clear as a crispy Portuguese noon. People have to ask for a re-schedule on their matches because of school work becoming too important to ignore. Rightfully so, I would never ask of any of my clans members to lay school work to the wayside and attend an important war. No, a community ran on volunteers needs to nurture them and give them the flexibility to step out for a day or two when more crucial matters call forth.

Give this fact: the community figures that carry RuneScape are no longer in their teens and can't afford to come home after a boring day of Maths and Biology to skip out on doing homework (hey, it's high school after all) and have from 17h00 untill 00h00 to immerse themselves fully in RuneScape. When you have 7hours of game time, there is enough time to level up, do some minigames and hang around with your clanmates. Fast forward four years and you have uni until 18h00 and have essays, papers and group assignments to take care off, as well as exams that are increasingly more difficult to handle. Those seven hours are reduced to three or four at the most. The drive to, day in and day out, deliver everything to a community fades as well, when you need to manage a household.This is how we lose individuals, this is why Tip.It Clan Tournament died, why Zybez was at its strongest and most prolific during this Summer when all those involved had holidays and needn't worry about university assignments for a few weeks.

Replacing what has been, and will soon, be lost. A healthy community will see those replaced. People went, and other people took over their places. But will there still be someone to take your place? What happens when Shadowandy suddenly starts a family or has six months of heavy Uni deadlines? Who will moderate Zybez then? These are the questions I pose myself. Where do we find new, young and eager individuals to hand the reins over to? Who will become the new face of Zybez and Jagex Cup? Of Tip.it? Will there be any at all? If we are to survive, we not only need new talent to enter clans like Legendz,, Solace, Divine Forces and more. No, we need the same young-blooded, pill-popping, energy-crazed teens to enter the behind-the-scenes as well. Otherwise, Zybez might just as well put a huge timer on the frontpage with a "death-do-us-part" countdown.

A community can exceed its grouping of individuals but never think someone else will do it for you, just because you are part of the group. When you have great ideas and look to start initiatives, just do them. That's how Zybez started, how the Jagex Cup saw its birth and what made Clan Warring possible. Let's not forget all the clans and teams battling for number 1 positions. Don't just feel. Don't just think. Do. That's what will make RuneScape last the Summer and make it to 2013.


Give it just a few years and he'll be the next 'The Duck'.

~ Written by Miracle