A Beta Version of RS
As the game gained more users, Jagex began planning major changes. The developers rewrote the game engine, producing a new version of the game with entirely three-dimensional graphics called RuneScape 2. A beta version of RuneScape 2 was released to paying members for a testing period beginning on 1 December 2003, and ending on 29 March 2004. Upon its official release, RuneScape 2 was renamed simply Runescape Gold, while the older version of the game was kept online under the name RuneScape Classic. On 12 January 2006, Jagex banned more than 5000 Classic accounts for cheating. To prevent further cheating, RuneScape Classic was closed to new accounts, and access was restricted to accounts who had played Classic at least once between 3 August 2005 and 12 January 2006.
