RSPS meaning in plain terms
RSPS stands for RuneScape private server. It is a fan-run game that imitates some version of RuneScape using server software that Jagex did not write or approve. You download a separate client, make a separate account and play on someone else's world. If you want to see what is out there, the RuneScape private server list shows checked examples.
“A RuneScape private server, or RSPS, is a game based upon a RuneScape version, not run by Jagex.”
The same page adds that Jagex strongly recommends against using one because of the risk of malware and theft of personal information. That warning is worth keeping in mind for the rest of this guide.
- RuneScape released
- January 4, 2001
- Old School RuneScape
- February 22, 2013
- Project Zanaris paused
- June 3, 2025
By Jagex
Based on an August 2007 build
Official rentable servers
Which RuneScape does a server copy?
There is no single RuneScape to copy. Jagex runs two live games, and fans have rebuilt several older states of the game. The timeline explains why server pages mention numbers such as 317 or 614.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| January 4, 2001 | RuneScape first released as a Java browser game |
| March 29, 2004 | RuneScape 2 launches; the original becomes RuneScape Classic |
| November 20, 2012 | Evolution of Combat goes live in RuneScape |
| February 22, 2013 | Old School RuneScape opens, based on an August 2007 backup |
| July 22, 2013 | RuneScape 3 released |
| August 6, 2018 | RuneScape Classic servers shut down |
Private servers therefore fall into groups depending on which build they imitate. Our research notes list four common ones, and each has its own page: OSRS-based servers, Pre-EoC and RS3 era servers, PvP and PK servers and PvM and raids servers.
Revisions and server styles
A revision is the version number of the client and cache. It decides how the interface, items and map look. Revision 317 is a mid-2000s build with a very large base of public server source code. Revision 614 is a 2010-era build from before Evolution of Combat, and modern OSRS-based servers use much newer clients.
| Style | Example | What it states about itself |
|---|---|---|
| Revision 317 | Ashmarch | Mid-2006 cache with later content rebuilt; XP x5, x3 or x1 by mode |
| Revision 614 | Divinity614 | Wilderness PvP and PvM with PK points and bounties |
| 2012 remake | Darkan | Open source; World 1 follows 2012, World 2 runs 25x XP |
| Pre-EoC with RS3 cache | Runite PS | RS3 content and models without the Evolution of Combat interface |
| OSRS-based | Impact, Luna, Amascut | Raids, bossing, ironman modes and seasonal worlds |
Some projects are open source, which lets anyone read how the server works. Darkan is described on its site as a non-profit, open-source rebuild of the 2012 game, with its code on GitLab and no in-game purchases. Open code does not make a particular host trustworthy, because anyone can run a modified copy, but it lets the community inspect what the original server software does and learn from it.
Server names, client files and staff change often. Treat the examples here as a snapshot taken from the server websites on the date of our research, not as a promise that every world is still running. The status page shows how we re-check availability.
How an RSPS differs from the official game
| Topic | Official game | Typical RSPS |
|---|---|---|
| Operator | Jagex | Fans or small teams |
| Account | Jagex account | Separate account, usually created on the server's site or at first login |
| Client | Official or approved client | Server's own jar, installer or browser client |
| Rates | Fixed by Jagex | Chosen by the operator, from x1 to high multipliers |
| Money | Jagex membership | Donation store, vote rewards, sometimes in-game gambling |
| Longevity | Maintained for years | Can reset, rename or close with little notice |
Rates are the biggest practical difference. Experience, drop and game-mode settings vary from server to server, so read what 1x, 10x and 100x mean before comparing worlds. The private versus official article covers the trade-offs in more detail.
Why people try them
Common reasons
- Faster progression or custom content
- Era-specific nostalgia
- Instant PvP or PvM gear
- Seasonal resets and leaderboards
Common worries
- Malware from unofficial downloads
- Donation perks that distort the economy
- Servers closing or renaming
- No link to your official progress
Reading an RSPS website
A server's website tells you more than its slogan. The pages below appear on many of the servers we checked, and each answers a different question about how serious the project is.
| Page | What to look for |
|---|---|
| News or patch notes | Dated posts; the newest should be recent (Amascut, for example, posts dated seasonal updates) |
| Hiscores | Active leaderboards suggest real players |
| Store | Whether items affect drops, rates or combat |
| Wiki or guides | Effort invested in the community |
| Rules | Trading, real-world trading and gambling policy |
| Downloads | Which platforms are supported: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS or browser |
- 1
Pick the era
Decide between 317, 614, a 2012 remake or an OSRS-style server.
- 2
Check recent activity
Look for a dated post and a live Discord online count.
- 3
Read the store
Note what donators receive and whether it affects the economy.
- 4
Download from the source
Use only the link on the server's own website.
- 5
Use a fresh password
Never reuse a Jagex or email password.
- 6
Start small
Play a few hours before spending money on donations.
Game modes also change how a server feels. The facts we collected describe account types such as Regular, Ironman and Hardcore Ironman that alter rates and restrictions, and Ashmarch gives bonus drop rates of 5 to 8 percent to lower-XP modes. The same name can mean different rules on different servers, so read each server's mode page.
Rules, risks and what Jagex tried
Jagex has not endorsed the scene. The OSRS Wiki describes Project Zanaris, an official plan announced at Summer Summit 2024 to let players rent and customise community servers. It was paused indefinitely in a post dated June 3, 2025, partly to refocus on core Old School, so it never became a legal alternative.
This is not legal advice. The RuneScape Wiki notes that in some jurisdictions running an RSPS without Jagex's consent may involve copyright infringement. Read Jagex's rules for yourself, and use our safety guide and how to join a private server before you install anything. Unfamiliar slang is in the glossary.
