| Release date | 26 June 2012 (Update) |
|---|---|
| Subject of testing | Evolution of Combat |
The Evolution of Combat beta was a beta for the then-upcoming combat system. It was released on 26 June 2012 with unlimited access for any player who had been a member for 12 consecutive months. Members who didn't reach the 12 consecutive month requirement were able to access the beta on weekends (Saturday and Sunday, starting and ending according to GMT midnight time) after 6 July. Jagex also selected 50,000 other members who signed up and did not get access instantly; the 50,000 were chosen based on how "active" they were.
After an update on 2 November, all players were given access to the combat beta.
Pre-Beta[]
Four videos were released on Jagex's official YouTube channel to explain the Evolution of Combat. The first video showed combat in the beta; the second video introduced new tabs; the third video explained the adrenaline bar; the fourth explained dual wielding.
Registration[]
On 1 June, all players received a combat beta contract with the option to sign up for the beta. Players that met the criteria were allowed to join the beta servers on 26 June. Free-to-Play players also received the contract, but could do nothing with it, other than destroying it or banking it.
Access[]
The beta servers could be accessed here, when they were available. Playing on the beta was browser-based play since there was no option to switch to the beta worlds on the official downloadable client. The login screen was as normal, and would take players into the lobby. If players wished to play with their main game characters, they would click the "Import" button (pictured above) at the bottom left of the screen. If they did not click on this link, they would start the beta with a basic character.
Gameplay[]
Whatever actions performed on the beta servers did not carry over to the real game. When on the beta, all items you had in the real game would be transferred into the beta so long as your character was imported.
Players on the beta server had access to the Beta Shop, located in the Lumbridge Castle, in front of the Grand Exchange, Falador, and in the Ardougne Market. They provided all levels of combat gear, runes, potions, and food for free, in order to help players test. Additionally, all gravite and chaotic equipment could be taken for free from Daemonheim rewards trader.
Merchants[]
- Ranged armour trader
- Ranged weapons trader
- Melee armour trader
- Melee weapons trader
- Magic armour trader
- Magic weapons trader
Trivia[]
- Price checking any item in the beta would show the price of the item when it was initially released on the Grand Exchange.
- Large amounts of coins could be earned in the beta by taking high level equipment for free and selling it to general stores. This was mostly only done for fun, as the coins could not be transferred to the real game.