Free-to-play

Free-to-play, also known as 'F2P', is the free version of RuneScape. Players who play the free version are known as 'free players', 'F2Ps', and 'non-members'.

Overview
The free part of RuneScape is a trial version of the full game, although there is no limit to the amount of time free players are able to continue playing for free. Free players only enjoy about 3% of everything RuneScape' has to offer. If they want to, they can then pay a monthly fee and become a member (granting access to more skills, locations, items, etc.). F2P (free-to-play) is recommended if one is only playing rarely (less than 2 days a week). Formerly, the free-to-play RuneScape was its only form, prior to the introduction of members and the subsequent creation of RS2. The P2P servers were intended to benefit all of RuneScape.

With respect to gameplay, the majority of new updates within RuneScape are restricted to members. Except where the update concerns graphics or the addition of new servers, the free version of RuneScape has remained static since the introduction of members' servers and the 3-D RuneScape 2. Free-to-play servers have seen the addition of one new quest, one highly limited skill as a direct result of that quest, the tutorial island, a handful of prayers, token ranging equipment, and the Stronghold of Security, along with twelve bank spots, in contrast to the near-weekly updates given to members. In addition, the in-game area open to non-members has decreased slightly, and most outside-of-game features (such as the forums) are open to members only. Most recently, Jagex has changed access to RuneScape Classic, making it members-only.

Advantages
Listed below are some of the advantages non-members have over members.

No cost
Players are not required to pay, nor is there a cut-off period. Free-to-play now acts as a demo to most players: some may find they do not enjoy the game, and are able to leave without losing money, and others may use the free-to-play version to learn the basic skills of the game before launching themselves into membership.

Simpler play
As restricted as the play is, players are able to devote more time to social or fun activities. That is, free players can relax, not feeling as if they are wasting in-game time (and the money spent in order to get this time) they could use to train, make money, or do quests.

Safer Wilderness
Members abilities, such as poisoning, teleblock, and Ancient Magicks, are not available to free-to-play. In fact, many player killers prefer the free-to-play wilderness as player killing requires strategy beyond more powerful items or more advanced tricks. The best free-to-play combat equipment is also somewhat cheaper, easing losses caused by a wilderness death. It is important to note, however, that Free-To-Play wilderness is much more crowded, and that it is much more likely to meet groups or clans while there. Members can also choose to play on the free servers, subject to the same limitation on equipment and capabilities, as this is an aspect of the world status rather than the player status.

Less rule enforcement
Although the same set of rules apply to members and non members alike, recent evidence including an announcement by Jagex have indicated that they are focusing their resources to catch rule-breakers in P2P worlds. This means that while free-to-play players are not immune to prosecution, they are less likely to come under Jagex's eye, they are less likely to be punished.

Disadvantages
Despite the advantages of free play, there are numerous disadvantages to F2P, which Jagex has no intention of addressing.

Smaller world area
The world which free players have access to is very small compared to what members have. Free players have access to a small fraction of RuneScape, whereas members have access to the whole world.

Few quests
Free players can only complete 18 quests, whereas members can complete an additional 100+, with 1-2 new members quests being added monthly.

Limited access to skills
Free players have access to 15 skills whereas members have access to 23 skills in total. Free players also have limited access to the skills available to them. For example, free players cannot cut maple trees whereas members can (although maple logs do exist in F2P lands).

Fewer items
Free players have access to under 1,000 items, whereas members have access to well over 4,000. In addition, many of the items members can access are more powerful, have unique abilities, are more valuable, or a combination of all three. Members items in free worlds are known as Members objects.

Less equipment
Free players cannot use as many weapons or as much armour as members can. Free users can only use certain rune equipment, while members can get more advanced equipment such as Dragon armour and Barrows equipment.

Slower Training
Free players do not have access to as many locations which allow for fast leveling of skills/combat. In addition, the free worlds are often crowded, and players may have more competition for monster and item respawns.

Less Bank Space
Free players have a 60-item maximum in bank, although free players do not have as many items to store as members. Proportionately, however, this bank space is far less than what members receive. Additionally, members can store numerous items in the player owned home.

Rare Updates
The free game is rarely updated. There have been no new free-to-play quests or areas released since the launch of the pay-to-play version of RuneScape excluding the Rune Mysteries quest and the Stronghold of Security. Generally, the only updates which affect non-members are interface, music, and graphics updates. Free-to-play servers are added consistently, however. Usually, the free game does get holiday items every year.

Advertisements
The free game also has advertisements. A lot of these are not really that irritating. However, some of the ads flash and have annoying sounds that can not be turned off. The ads also cause a problem as far as spyware is concerned. Not only does Spysweeper (and probably other programs) flag the RuneScape Ad Cookies for deletion, but it also blocks the RuneScape Ad Server. This is a violation of the rule that forbids ad blockers. The only choice for free players is to disable some Spysweeper shields, or the entire program, while on the RuneScape site, which is dangerous for security.

Rule-Breakers
Due in part to the larger crowds, Free-to-Play is prone to contain more scammers and general rule-breakers. Most notable of these are the macro users: players using programs to repeat specific tasks. This is especially common at areas containing Yew Trees. Most scammers make accounts with long or hard to remember user names (example: bjngjnjnjtr45) This username requires letters from different parts of the keyboard. So that if he/she ever scams the scammed player would not remember the username to report. Most scammers can easily make a level 3 account and scam, for example be aware of all these hints. Most rule-breaking occurs in worlds that are near full.

Other

 * Free-to-play friend and ignore lists can only hold 100 people
 * Cannot post in the Jagex official forums
 * Slower/lower-priority/non-existent customer service
 * Can vote in only some polls
 * Harder training because of more cramped worlds and fewer mosters
 * More scammers
 * More macroers