Skybox

A skybox is an a set of images that is placed inside a massive cube that surrounds the player to simulate a further distance of the game enviornment than there currently is. The skybox is one of the graphical effects that the RuneTek 5 engine is mentioned to be capable of running although this effect has yet to be seen anywhere in-game since the release of the engine in September of 2009. At the moment, RuneScape currently has a fog system which acts as a "sky" currently and shields what has not been loaded in yet. The fog system ranges many colors like golds, oranges, and most currently, blues.

For a believeable skybox to be implemented in-game, the games draw distance (how far you are able to see in-game) will have to be increased a considerable amount which will require a progressive loading of enviornments rather than the current system of loading large "blocks" of enviornment. Due to the different enviornments in RuneScape, there will have to be different skyboxes too ranging form day and night and other elements.This is obviously a massive amount of work and it is speculated that this is why it has taken so long to add skyboxes.

Speculated Release of Skyboxes
The skybox system is possibly being hinted to be released this month along with the Clan Citadel update with various hints given in official quotes from jagex, some of the following are examples:


 * "we eclipse them all as we reach for the skies and unleash our biggest update"


 * "There's a wealth of information coming very soon, including more details of how you’ll be able to customise your citadel and a few huge surprises. Watch the skies!"


 * "and a few huge surprises. Watch the skies!"