August 2023 -

Hello everyone and welcome back to another FOSS Runescape recap! Many of these servers are playable today, free forever, and more authentic than the current version by Jagex. The /c/Runescape mod team endorses every project in this list!

Darkan.org - 2012 Remake

Status: Fully playable!

Darkan is the oldest remake on this list - It’s been developed for years by a veteran RSPS owner, with authentic dungeoneering support, multiple near-maxed players (on 1x exp rate), the first OSRS player to max, and more.

  • Started implementing Vinesweeper
  • The first OSRS player to max is now active in Darkan’s Discord
  • 23 new bug fixes/features

2011scape.com - 2011 Remake

Status: Playable Beta!

2011scape is a brand new remake, with major pieces of content being implemented constantly. This month, Tyluur from 2011scape started using ChatGPT 4’s new AskTheCode feature that analyzes any public git repo to refactor 2011scape’s obfuscated client!

  • Added Restless Ghost & 4 new agility courses
  • Added full authentic account verification through account creation
  • Worked with Pazaz from 2004scape to fix DirectX
  • 38 new bug fixes/features

There’s been some new faces in the 2011scape Discord helping out, so big thanks to that!

2009scape.org - 2009 Remake

Status: Fully Playable!

With developers from 2004scape and OpenRSC, as well as dozens of contributors, 2009scape has an active playerbase and tons of content.

2009scape’s changes this month were a long time in the making, with hundreds of bugs fixed across the 4 updates. This is far from a normal, with the bug patches landing in after the massive updates, so we expect things to quiet down again after this month!

2004scape.org - 2004 Remake

Status: Pre-Alpha

2004scape breaks records in RS reverse engineering. It’s the first with a real 2004 cache, has the most advanced RuneScript, and a webclient. It is the only one on this list that does not yet have a playable live server.

  • Merged their 100th PR! Quest/Goblin Diplomacy #100
  • Fishing Trawler engine work (Demo)
  • Added Crafting, Cooking, Fishing, & Woodcutting
  • Added Cook’s Assistant, Imp Catcher, Druidic Ritual, Goblin Diplomacy, Treasure Trails (Clue Scrolls)
  • 111 new bug fixes/features

The 2004scape development team said they currently need to add combat (which is very different in Runescript than RSPS solutions), NPC modes, and hunt modes, after which they will be focused on adding content. Their estimate is the game will be playable in around 2 months!

OpenRSC - 2003 & 2001 Remake

Status: Fully Playable

OpenRSC is fully complete. It supports mobile, web, and botting, with a larger playerbase than official RSC did before shutdown!

  • OpenRSC celebrated their 5 year hosting anniversary!
  • RSC+ (RuneLite of RSC) had 10+ bug fixes & improvements
  • IdleRSC (Popular bot client) had 20+ script improvements
  • Website Live Player Maps were updated
  • The Forums and Wiki are now back online

See July’s progress report: https://lemmy.ml/post/2703759

  • Sam@lemmy.ca
    2·
    1 year ago

    I’ve been playing 2009scape lately. It’s good. I wish it had more features, like runelite, but otherwise quite a good vanilla experience.

  • Didros@beehaw.org
    1·
    1 year ago

    I find this very interesting, how much time does Jagex put into stopping these private servers? I played WoW private servers for a while, but you never knew when they would get shut down.

    I’ve only been playing runescape for a few years, but what are the advantages to using private servers? Do they generally have an ironman game mode implemented? That is how I prefer to play.

    Also interesting to see a private server of classic doing so well, that is very cool to see! Did they keep the enchanted chest bug so no one can get dragon stones? I hope not, but it is a very funny part of history.

    • OsrsNeedsF2P@lemmy.mlOPM
      1·
      1 year ago

      Btw despite popular belief, the crystal chest bug had nothing to do with classic being shutdown, but instead a much lesser known exploit where you could teleport any player into the Underground Pass where they would get killed by the Black Demon. The bug was too spaghetti to fix, and it made classic virtually impossible to play

      • Didros@beehaw.org
        1·
        1 year ago

        Yeah I watched Crumb’s video about classic and that bug really stuck with me lol

    • OsrsNeedsF2P@lemmy.mlOPM
      1·
      1 year ago

      how much time does Jagex put into stopping these private servers?

      10-15 years ago was the last time they shut down a server. They used to go after the really big ones, but these little open source ones have flown under the radar for a long time

      but what are the advantages to using private servers?

      Most private servers it’s things like custom items/bosses/faster exp/coins/etc, these remakes are for playing different versions of the game frozen in time

      Do they generally have an ironman game mode implemented?

      Yea, everyone loves ironman :D

      Did they keep the enchanted chest bug so no one can get dragon stones?

      For a new player, you know a lot ;). IIRC they keep authentic bugs, but not game-breaking ones

      • Didros@beehaw.org
        1·
        1 year ago

        Thanks for the info! I might look into these next time Jagex messes up. Let’s hope the hero pass is signs of things improving the main game. :)