Gold Fever. That horrible affliction that has haunted the silver screen since its inception, yet has reeked a far greater havoc in the land of the living. Populations are in persistent states of economic disparity, perpetuated by the fuedalesque harvesting of their resources by those that couldn’t fathom on how to spend their money fast enough. Environments have been decimated in the search for wealth held by the land. As I sit in Venezuela writing this I am pondering the legend of El Dorado, which was the impetus for the pillaging of Colombia by way of Venezuela by Spaniards itching from the plight of Gold Fever. But, now the disease has found a new host upon which to pray—RuneScape.



By all accounts using some form of currency as a common denominator allows for greater ease than the antiquated barter system. But, it is the unintended consequences of this system that have led to its perverse usages. And in RuneScape things are no different.

RuneScape Gold is the currency, which fills you bank account and allows you to buy, trade and sell all the items that you need to survive. But, it has also spawned an economy of thievery, deceit, and an ultimate disregard for the true purpose of the game.

RuneScape gold is sought through problems with the system, which is clearly stated as against one of the game’s few rules. And more common are the economies set up outside RuneScape that offer a host of benefits through RuneScape Gold Guides. Offering to teach or give, those willing to pay, enough gold to be one of the “richest players in RuneScape".

This of course is done illegally, by RuneScape rules, and smacks of such real world similarity that if the mission for RuneScape was to create an alternate world, yet with stricking similarities, then the mission has sadly been accomplished.