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What are the differences between the detail levels?

RuneScape is a world with literally thousands of little embellishments, and we think it’s a good idea for everyone to play in high detail mode so they see the world in all its wonder. The main differences between RuneScape Gold and RuneScape Gold High Detail are:

• Ground detail: In RuneScape Gold, you’ll see all sorts of extra objects littering the ground - from stones and uneven dirt to rugs and ornate tilework. In high detail, you will also see that almost every surface is textured and much more realistic.
• Water and lava: In high detail, water becomes transparent and dynamic: you can even see to the bottom of shallow rivers and lakes. Lava, equally, takes on a new and volcanic appearance.
• Other floors: Floors other than the one you are on are removed when RuneScape Gold is set to safe mode, so it can seem that you are floating in space if you are in the upper level of a building.

In high detail mode, there are a few extra features:

• Fullscreen: In high detail mode, you can expand the game window to the full size of your monitor, which also extends how far you can see in every direction.
• Fogging: High detail adds ‘fogging’ to every area, allowing monsters and areas to drift into view naturally and adding a great deal of character to the environment. Mort Myre becomes a moody and foreboding place; the Kharidian Desert is swathed in dust.
• Dynamic lighting and shadows: As you move around RuneScape Gold in high detail mode, you’ll find it impossible to miss the shadows that every object casts. In addition to this, flickering torches and candles in dungeons light up the area around them, adding a touch of appropriate creepiness to the experience.

Of course, there are a few reasons you might prefer the normal detail mode, such as the following:

• Special effects: Some people prefer to use safe mode in areas such as the Smoke Well in the Kharidian Desert. This is because there is a smoke effect across the viewing area in high detail.
• Your computer’s capabilities: Some very old computers have difficulty keeping up with the graphical intensity of high detail mode. Having said that, in many cases it is actually faster to use high detail mode because of the way areas are streamed automatically.

Have a look at the images below to see some of the differences between RuneScape Gold High Detail and RuneScape Gold.

RuneScape High Detail

In high detail mode, there is a great deal of ground detail, texture and levels other than your current one. Note the scattered gravel, the transparency of the water and the way that the path blends into the surrounding area.

In addition, the fogging renders the distance more believable and allows buildings and terrain to blend seamlessly into the environment. Shadows add character and tone, and even armour features texture and dynamic lighting.

As if that wasn’t enough, even the monsters and other details have been textured to provide the same finish, resulting a world populated with incredibly detailed beasts and characters.

RuneScape

This scene is the same, but there are no shadows, textures or water transparency. The buildings still have roofs, however, and you can see levels above and below where you are - handy for keeping an eye on dangers or obstacles you have yet to encounter.

In addition, many RuneScape Gold locations will feature extra details like stones, rubble, grass, and so on. Water and lava will also be slightly animated to add some motion to the scene.