Mute

A mute is a form of admonition given out by in-game Player moderators, in-game Jagex moderators, and Customer Support to those who are guilty of breaching the hardest-weighted Rules of Conduct.



Criticism
There has been some criticism against Jagex's use of mutes. One of the largely heard criticisms against Jagex regarding mutes is that oftentimes a player will receive a mute without a sufficient reason. It is not uncommon to see situations where a person is muted for some days and upon examining the evidence, there is nothing resembling the offence. This more often happens with 'Offensive Language' mutes. Upon appealing the offenses,many of these players find the appeal to be denied, even though there is blatantly no evidence proving otherwise. This supports to the popularly rising fact that oftentimes Jagex mods will maliciously go after players in order to mute them with the slightest reason or none at all. Of course this isn't always the case, and most of the time if you receive a mute it is because you have really committed an offence, however this problem has been noted as increasing. Such as that mutes subject the player to certain abuse, such as being called various 'put downs' for not responding to another player - who thinks that they aren't muted - or being falsely accused of macroing for not responding. On the other hand, many players have supported Jagex, saying that the players who get mutes broke the rules, therefore they deserve to be called names and any punishment given to them. However, others report that, since Player Moderators can mute to a period of up to 48 hours at their own discretion, this is not necessarily the case.

Mutes
Mutes, unlike many may believe, are not a form of punishment, but a way of stopping any more damage from being done by the rule-breaker. In some cases, these rule-breakers may not have been aware that they were breaking the rules, so a mute actually may save that player from being reported possibly hundreds of times and getting blackmarks for each reported breaching of the rules. Mutes given out by player moderators can last up to 48 hours, just long enough for Jagex to investigate the situation or longer if Jagex deems that it is necessary to do. Many permanent mutes have been reported to be given up after a period of one year. Note players that are muted cannot use the notes system or use the Runescape Official Forums.

In-game repercussions
A muted player will not be able to talk in-game (except through quick-chat) or on the forums, however, they can still play the game as usual and trade with other players. Muted players usually communicate with others by using emotes, Quick Chat or external forms of communication. If a player is on his or her last chance, and they commit an offence, they will be permanently muted or possibly permanently banned. Also, if a player is muted for website advertising or real-world item trading, the player may become banned by Jagex right away. Mutes may be appealed if the player is past the green zone.

Quick Chat
Since 21 May 2008, muted players are able to communicate with others in the game, to some extent, by using the Quick Chat system, so being confused with macroers does not happen anymore. However, there is no option on Quick Chat to inform other players that they are muted. However there is an option that says "I can only use Quick Chat."