Particles

Particles are used to simulate fuzzy phenomena, which are very hard to reproduce with three-dimensional rendering. Hundreds and thousands of particles can be generated, using relatively little processing power, to create effects that would have been too costly and demanding using existing polygon techniques.



History


Particles were first mentioned in a Developer's Blog in August 2009. Mod Chris E stated that particle effects would be introduced into the game, along with sky boxes, bloom lighting effects, and water reflections.

Particle effects made their first appearance in the 2009 Christmas event. The first glimpse of particles was the snow coming out of the wardrobes through which players entered to get to the Land of Snow. The snow blowing out of the wardrobes gave the effect of cold winds coming out from the Land of Snow. Upon entering the Land of Snow, snowflakes would fall from the sky if the Particle effects option was on. Flakes that were far away appeared smaller than the ones closer to the screen, giving a three dimensional perspective of the scenery.
 * On 8 February, 2010, Strykewyrms were released, all three of which were the first monsters to incorporate particle effects.
 * On 15 March, 2010, Corpse mages, Corpse archers, and Dragith Nurn lurking in Lumbridge Catacombs have a 2D sprite core, and all of the Undead in the catacombs have 2D sprite eyes.
 * On 12 April, 2010, the barriers and level end doors in the Dungeoneering skill were released using particle effect. Also, the official Dungeoneering trailer on Jagex' YouTube account, contained more realistic water splashing,snow, and fires with particles that will be released in the feature.
 * At some point in May, the Mort Myre Swamp received particles.
 * On 13 May, 2010, the looks of Zanaris and its inhabitants were updated to contain bloom lighting effects and particles.
 * On 25 May, 2010, Skillcape animations were updated with the use of particle effects and were also tweened.
 * On 27 May, 2010, The first items with particle effects were released. These include the Zamorak, Saradomin and Guthix halo and the Faithful shield. When igniting a flare, it produces particle smoke.
 * As of 1 June, 2010, the fountain of Varrock, and the chimney on the smith house in Lumbridge have particle effects.
 * On 24 June, 2010, all strike, bolt, blast, wave, and surge spells from the standard spellbook now have particle effects, as well as a new animation. Instead of a coloured ball, they represent their element more and have tweened animations. Please note that some spell-casting monsters (such as dark wizards) still use the old spells. (this was fixed on 19 July)
 * On 7 July, 2010, is the day that Red chinchompas received new animations similar to those in the Firemaking skillcape emote for upon exploding.


 * On 10 August, 2010, the chemist's machine in A Void Dance emits particle smoke for the exhaust and explosions upon failure.
 * On 19 August, 2010, the fountains and various bosses found within the Occult Floors use particles for special effects.
 * On 22 August, 2010, it was revealed that the Dungeoneering Master cape is a new item with particle effects when Telmomarques achieved 120 Dungeoneering.
 * On 25 August, 2010, the interface when creating a character includes particle effects for candle/torch light, a glowing staff and red eye from a skull, and a cloud when summoning a Spirit Wolf.
 * On 15 September, 2010, particle effects are added to the Lumbridge water mill.

Particle use in the future
Mod Woody has stated in the forums that magic spells (partly done now), hair, smoke (partly done now), and fog will all benefit from particle effects. He has also mentioned that particles might be used in upcoming quests and places, such as Zanaris and the Fairy Tale III quest, the final quest in the Fairy Tale quest series (which has happened).

Items with particle effects

 * Saradomin halo
 * Guthix halo
 * Zamorak halo
 * Faithful shield
 * Dungeoneering Master cape

Monsters with particle effects

 * Jungle strykewyrm
 * Desert strykewyrm
 * Ice strykewyrm
 * Dragith Nurn
 * Corpse mage

Trivia

 * Contrary to popular belief, the Dramatic Point emote does not use particles. It actually uses polygons as snowflakes.
 * It is now possible to see how many particles there are using the Devlopers console and the "displayfps" command.