Clan Citadels Expansion Launches July 26

Jagex has announced that RuneScape's Clan Citadels expansion is scheduled to launch on July 26, and this update promises to add all sorts of new content to the free-to-play game. For example, it will introduce floating customizable clan castles that come complete with portal grounds, meeting rooms, senates and party rooms. It will also feature clan battlefields:

"The centerpiece of the expansion is the clan battlefields, a unique sandbox environment allowing clans to generate their own user-generated gameplay for the first time within RuneScape. Clans will have access to a full-blown Battleground Editor equipping them with all the tools needed to create and develop their own multiplayer games. Clans can create any gameplay they wish; ranging from simple capture the flag style games to full clan versus clan battles. Once created, clan members can save their games and even invite others to compete in their creation."

For more details on Clan Citadels, read the in-depth dev blog entry and watch the trailer below.

RuneFest 2011 Will Celebrate 10 Years of RuneScape

It's not every day that an MMO hits the decade mark, and that's why Jagex plans to celebrate RuneScape's 10th anniversary with a major event. The company will be hosting the second annual RuneFest convention from Oct. 29-30 in London, and the event promises to let players completely immerse themselves in the world of RuneScape.

Tickets go on sale on Monday, June 27 and are £59 for a one-day pass and £99 for the weekend. There will also be limited tickets available for £49 for a Halloween party that  is open exclusively to RuneFest attendees. If you want the full RuneFest experience, you can pick up a VIP ticket for £179 that gives you all sorts of additional access and prizes throughout the event.

Head over to the RuneFest site for all the details, and check out the video after the jump for a look at last year's inaugural convention.

RuneScape's 'Behind the Scenes' Covers June Update

RuneScape Lead Designer Mod Mark has posted his "Behind the Scenes" article for June, and he talks about all sorts of content that's coming to the game this month. Players can look forward to a new item slot, troll invasions, sea monsters and a loyalty program that will allow you to earn rewards like custom titles, emotes, costumes and auras.

Want more details? Then check out the entire "Behind the Scenes" post after the jump!

RuneScape's 'Behind the Scenes' Covers May Updates

RuneScape Lead Designer Mod Mark has written a new "Behind the Scenes" article for May, and it covers a variety of updates to the game. Here's his summary:

"Go with the flow in May with flowing capes of distinction and mining at the Lava Flow Mine; then behold players 'walking tall' with hats that morph depending on your Wilderness and Duel Arena kills, and hear even taller tales in the form of the Fremennik Sagas. Finally, round off May with some general upgrades taken from player suggestions on the forums."

Side with a Season in RuneScape's Easter Event

RuneScape is celebrating Easter this year by asking players to choose a side in the conflict between winter and spring. Free players will be able to fell evil holly trees to help bring in springtime, while members have the additional choice of chopping down hawthorn trees to side with winter. Players who participate in the event will receive an exclusive holiday item.

In addition, the RuneScape community management team will be running competitions throughout the Easter weekend. From April 22-25, the player who chops down the most holly and hawthorn trees will receive a RuneScape goody bag. Players are also being asked to guess at the total number of trees that will be felled over the course of the event.

Over 33,000 RuneScape Clans Register in 24 Hours

Since yesterday's launch of RuneScape's clan update, more than 33,000 clans have been registered in the free-to-play game! Here are all the numbers straight from Jagex:

"It's only been a day since the clan support update was released and more than 250,000 of you have already pledged your allegiance to a clan. RuneScape now plays host to over 33,000 new clans and an astonishing 10,000 people an hour are joining a clan!"

The update gives clans a real presence in the game and includes a host of new features, such as individual clan camps, chat channels, clan customizations, clan websites and rated Clan Wars.

RuneScape Unveils New Clan Support Update

RuneScape has unveiled their new Clan Support Update. This update is designed to give clans a real presence in game. The update is now live and offers new tools to help players organize and administer their clans, as well as ways to advertise their clans and show allegiance to them in the game. New features include:

  • In-game clan support
  • Additional clan chat channels
  • Clan camp
  • Greater customizations of clans
  • Clan web pages
  • Rated clan wars

Check out the RuneScape official page for full descriptions on all the added bonuses for you and your clan.

New Runescape Novel: Return to Canifis

Titan books has announced the release of the latest Runescape novel. T.S. Church's new book Runescape: Return to Canifis is the follow up to his last novel, Betrayal at Falador.

The novel is currently on sale in North America and Canada and can be purchased here.

It will be released in the UK and Europe on March 22nd and can be purchased here.

Read the full prologue to Runescape: Return to Canifis at the Titan Books official site.

RuneScape Hosts Valentine's Day Massacre

Forget the holiday of love, RuneScape is celebrating this weekend with a Valentine’s Day Massacre! The event will be held Feb. 12-13 in the newly restored Wilderness. Jagex is looking to host the biggest Player Killing Run-in ever seen, so join in on the fun and see if your clan has what it takes to survive.

If you'd prefer to avoid the bloody massacre, you can participate in the Quartermaster's Market and sell your wares to other players who are heading toward the fight. You can also take a guess at the number of deaths that will occur this weekend for a chance to win a RuneScape goody bag and a Wilderness T-shirt.

The Wilderness and Free Trade Return to RuneScape

Today marks the return of the Wilderness and Free Trade to RuneScape! The features were removed from the game in 2007, but they've been restored after an overhwhelming 91% of players voted to bring them back.

If you're not familiar with these features, Jagex has published a couple beginner's guides to get you started. The Wilderness is a dangerous PvP environment where you can earn or lose items based on your skills in battle. Free Trade is the ability to trade with other players without limits.

For more details on the return of these features and the game's 10-year anniversary, check out our recent interview with Lead Designer Mark Ogilvie. He also outlines other updates that are coming to RuneScape this month in today's "Behind the Scenes" article.