RuneScape has a very effective and efficient control system. Once you learn the various aspects of the system, using it becomes second nature.

To explore the glorious lands of RuneScape, move the mouse to where you want to go and click the “default action” mouse button. For single button mice, simply click the button and for 2 or more button mice, the “default action” button is the left mouse button.

If this is done correctly, your character will start moving and a small yellow ‘X’ will flash briefly on the spot where your character will stop (see picture above).

If the yellow cross appears, but your character doesn’t start walking immediately, wait a few seconds, as it may take a few moments before anything happens.

You can make your character run to a spot by holding the ‘CTRL‘ key on your keyboard before clicking where you wish them to move.

If you wish to move around quickly, you can set your character to run for as long as they have running energy. This feature can be turned on through the option screen. Read the Options section for more information.

Every single task in RuneScape can be accomplished by using the mouse. To perform the default action associated with an item, move the mouse pointer is over the item and click the “action” button. If you are using a mouse with multiple buttons, click the left button. If you are using a single button mouse, click on the button and select the first option from the menu that is displayed.

The default action to be taken is displayed at the top left hand corner of the game window (see image below).

When you request for an action to be performed, a red cross will briefly appear to indicate that the request was received. You may have to wait a few moments for your character to perform the action. In the image above, the player has asked his character to take the coins lying on the floor.

Items and objects in RuneScape have multiple actions associated with them. To view and select an alternative to the default action of an item or object, a player using a multiple button mouse should click the right mouse button while the mouse pointer is over the item or object. A menu of other actions that can be performed on that item or with the item will be displayed. Single button mouse users are always shown this menu of options.

This image shows all the actions available for the player to perform with the knife.

Below is a game window and a short table explaining all the parts.

Each section of the game window is briefly explained in the table below, more detailed explanations are given later on in relevant sections of the manual.

As you approach certain areas in RuneScape, an icon will be displayed in the lower right hand corner of the game window to indicate the type of area it is. The icon will stay there until you leave the area.

Below is a table of all the indicators in RuneScape and their meaning.

The compass view, shown in the picture below, is in the top right hand corner of the game window.

You can navigate through RuneScape by clicking in the compass view window. This is good for moving further distances than is possible in the game window view.

When you rotate the camera, the compass view rotates to reflect which direction you are looking. This may be different from the direction your character is facing or moving.

For example, you can make the camera face north to see what is in that direction, whilst your character is moving to the east.

The compass view displays your immediate surrounding environment which includes buildings, streets, non-player characters, information icons etc.

Information icons are explained in the World Map View section of the manual.

Below is a table of the colour dots in the compass view and their meaning.

Scenery such as trees, fences and rocks each have specific graphics to make navigating clearer.

Icons are shown on the map to mark certain useful features, including quest start points, banks and the entrances of dungeons.

The control panel, shown below, is where players interact with their inventory and other aspects of the game. Each icon in the control panel relates to an area of the game you can configure or interact with.