Today we will inform you about hosting your RuneScape Private Server. We're going to explain what you need to know to get your server online. When you have a server that is "ready" to go online, you should navigate to a hosting company's website. In this example, we are using a reliable (Private Server oriented) Hosting company, called "HostHappy". 

Once you have navigated to their site, you'll see two options. Option A "KVM Windows VPS" and Option B "KVM Linux VPS". By the way, you can also host your website via HostHappy and possibly buy a domain. Right off the bat, the most obvious difference between option A and V is the cost. Linux is less expensive on average, a Linux VPS is cheaper than a Windows VPS with the same specification. If you are a beginner and don't have an IT team behind you, a Windows VPS can be easier to manage since it can be accessed with a remote desktop with direct GUI access. Also, another benefit of having a Linux VPS is that they offer unlimited bandwidth at 10GBPS. 

At "HostHappy" they sell different packages that meet the needs of all customers. For starters, they sell 'Sapphire' which is available for both OS. This package starts at $8.99 per month for Linux and $15.99 per month for Windows. For an average server, you'll quickly need a 'Ruby' package that sells for $44.99 per month for Linux and $49.99 per month for Windows. The most expensive package sold at HostHappy is called the 'Diamond' package. It costs $79.99 per month for Linux and a whopping $84.99 per month for Windows.

A feature of this VPS is that you get 10 vCore (CPU) at 2.8Ghz, 48 GB RAM (memory), 500 GB NMVE Storage, and of course unmetered bandwidth at 10GBPS.

HostHappy may not be the cheapest Hosting Company, but they still offer the best quality servers. By the way, they stand for their priorities:

• Easy Switch to HostHappy since they offer free migrations.
• HostHappy continuously monitors its networks, servers, and threats to ensure a reliable environment. They stick true to their 99.9% uptime.
• Their 'UltraFast' servers minimize your page load times because of the 10GBPS ports. 
• HostHappy's VPS are guarded against Distributed Denial of Service (DDOS) attacks, with up to 150GBPS for layer 3/4 and 25GBPS for layer 7 attacks.

Make sure to check HostHappy out if you are looking to host your RuneScape Private Server.  

As HostHappy would say.. Stay Happy, Stay Online.

There are many great methods which you can utilize to advertise your RSPS. All options are good, but the best practice is to combine a variety of advertising strategies – don’t put all of your eggs in one basket. In this way, you are can maximize your chances of reaching the most amount of potential players. 

1. Hire Content Creators

One of the most effective, yet costly strategy to attract players to your RSPS is hiring content creators. This entails paying a Youtuber or Streamer to create videos for your server. First, you want to find an active content creator and negotiate a deal for their services. It is important that you provide the content creator with key features to cover within the video. Content creators often work with multiple other servers which means they cannot always keep up with all the content in each server. The more information you can supply them, the more your video will video will turn out how you want it. 

A single video is not going to cut it either - repetition is what sells. It is recommended to plan a video advertisement campaign with content creators. Preferably, the content creator should record a series of videos for your RSPS to constantly remind players of your server and give them the impression that your server is continuously active. 

While searching for the right Youtuber / Streamer for your server it is important to keep in mind that not every content creator earns their views, likes, and subscribers fairly. Some content creators inflate their engagement by purchasing fake subscribers/views/comments to make it seem like they are doing better than they really are. In reality, you might be paying way too much and receive little in return on your investment. With that said, the number of views and subscribers aren’t everything. You can utilize tools like Socialblade to research the background of Youtubers’ channel growth. You can use this tool to view Youtuber statistics to see if there are any unusually high spikes in followers / views. If a Youtuber’s subscribers jumped by 200 people in one day, then you could probably infer that person is purchasing fake subscribers. Additionally, you can always ask around the RSPS community to see who players enjoy watching. Or you can likely conclude Youtubers that are frequently used by large servers are probably a good outlet to promote your server.

A content creator costs on average between $60-$250 per video/stream. Of course, the price difference is typically determined by the number of real subscribers and activity on the channel. For example, a channel with about 1500 subscribers might cost $60/video, whereas a channel with about 2500 subscribers might cost around $125. On the higher end, a channel with 5000+ subscribers can cost around $200 per video. It is possible to make a special deal with the content creator so that you get more videos for less money. Remember, a content creator usually expects to get paid first before they get started.

2. Buy advertisement spots on RSPS platforms

Another possible way to advertise your RSPS is to buy ad spots on one or more RSPS platforms, such as RuneList. These platforms offer multiple ad spots for a longer period. For example, you could place an advertisement banner for one month at a fixed rate. Like content creators, placing advertisements on RSPS websites is certainly not always cheap either. The prices of these ads differ between websites and can range from $25 to $600 per month.

There are different types of advertisement opportunities available on Runescape private server community websites. For example, you can buy sidebar, header, footer, and vote gateway spots from us. We also sell an RSPS toplist sponsored server listing. Similar options are also found on many other RSPS platforms. Some of the most effective and sought-after ad banner placements are located on the vote gateway as these banners are typically visited the most by players voting for servers. The most expensive ad spot is the Sponsored Server Listing, also known as Top Ads. These range from $100 to $600 per month and place your server at the top of the list.

3. Advertise with Google Ads

Advertising through Google is flexible and allows you to spend as little or as much as your budget can handle. Via Google Ads, you can indicate for which target groups, origins, and interests you want to advertise. You will find a difference in price per keyword used. A keyword is a word that describes the content on your page or post best. By using Google Ads, when a specific keyword is searched your website will appear at the top of the search term, or other various key placements. This makes your website stand out immediately and can lead players to your website quickly. 

With further research and implementation, you can also advertise almost for free on Google. For example, SEO (Search Engine Optimization) can contribute to a higher position on Google. The better your SEO is, the faster and better you can be found on Google. Stay tuned for future articles related to SEO. 

4. Advertise on Social Media

Advertising on social media works almost exactly the same as advertising on Google. Social media, such as Facebook and Instagram, allow people to advertise based on target group, origin, and keywords. You get to choose how well your ad performs based on your budget. These ads will then appear in the feed of the people. Additionally, creating social media pages is a great free resource to increase your SEO and thus get noticed.

5. Use an RSPS Toplist (FREE)

An RSPS toplist, also called a RuneScape Private Server List, can contribute to the acquisition of new players. It is quite easy to add your server to a top list. First of all, you have to make sure you have voting software on your own website. Then you can register a server via an RSPS List. Here you fill in useful information and add images that will make your server stand out. Because people vote for your server, your server will be higher in the list and will be noticed faster. It is possible to purchase additional votes on some lists, although this is certainly not recommended. There is also the possibility to purchase highlighted toplist listings, these stand out more than the normal listings, so you can catch the eyes of new players easily.

6. Create advertisement threads on RSPS platforms (FREE)

Another great free method to promote your server is to create advertisement and project threads on RSPS community websites, such as RuneList or Rune-Server. Here you can share the features of your server, include images of gameplay, and explain to players how to play the game. This method is not always as fast as the other options mentioned but is nonetheless an option that should be used.

7. Advertise in Discord Communities (FREE)

Advertising in Discord Communities is usually free. In most cases, you can place a post with information about your server in the advertisement section of a RSPS discord community. Members of these Discords may see ads in these sections and choose a server they are interested in. It is also important that you study the rules within the community. For example, in multiple Discord Communities you cannot just share a direct link to your server’s website. Some require you to have a certain level of membership or rank within the community. Other communities might require you to share only links associated with their website. This is easily done by posting a link to your server’s website in the free advertisement / project thread you created in the previous step. This article, which contains a url to your website, can often be shared in Discord Communities as opposed to direct links.

  Which of the advertising strategies do you use or suggest? Feel free to comment your opinions below. 

Article Written By Sander
 

1.    Make an RSPS Players Will Actually Enjoy

If only it were that simple, right?! Well, whether you are just looking to make an RSPS or searching for new ways to draw more players to your existing server - one of the first things to consider is the content your server has to offer and the quality of it. When it comes to content, not every player enjoys the same style of gameplay. You may like what your server has to offer, but keep in mind others may not like the same type of content as you. Or maybe the content you do have is awesome, but it’s just not enough to retain players or keep them coming?

Some players prefer PvM & Economy-based RSPS, whereas others enjoy PvP servers more. However, the ideal server in some players’ minds not only provides a stable economy but also includes a good mixture of both PvM & PvP. Many servers may offer one or multiple styles and see amazing results, whereas others struggle to ever take off. That is where the success of your server often comes down to the quality of the content in it. Possessing a wide variety of content is firstly important, but just because the content is there does not mean it is great. If the content is incomplete, full of bugs, or simply does not tie in with the game well, then players will be less inclined to play that content. Maintaining a wide variety of quality content is one of the most important things you can offer to players. This is what will help keep players online as opposed to them leaving due to incomplete or little content. If your server has amazing content, then your players and even the greater RSPS community will do a lot of talking for you.

2.     Advertise Your RSPS

Marketing is an especially important step to branching out in the RSPS scene. This is the part many people who make servers do not fully understand on their own. If you make a server and have a few friends come to play, then maybe they will tell some of their friends and you could grow that way, sure. But that is not going to place your server in front of the eyes of thousands of potential players out there. With that said, I am going to tell you how you can take your RSPS advertising to the next level. While some advertising is free… better RSPS advertising doesn’t always come cheap, but it is your best bet at getting your server’s name to the masses quickly. 

Your presentation, otherwise known as branding, is one of the first aspects you should consider as it is the first thing players see. Choosing a good RSPS graphic designer is key to creating an appealing logo, animated advertisement banner, thread layout, signature, website... you probably get the idea. You need gfx for a lot of things in your server. You may need more than one graphic designer even, but it is a good idea to stick with one, for the most part, to keep your branding consistent. Players love consistency, right? You can give that impression to players off the bat by simply offering good media. If someone sees your ad banner or thread layout and immediately thinks “Wow, that design is cool!” You are already starting off on a good foot. This will help get you more clicks and motivate players to explore further.

Once you have your graphics you have almost endless options to get them in the faces of players. Be relentless with your advertisement! Make a project/advertisement thread on every RSPS forum you can find to maximize the number of potential viewers. Some things you could do to advertise your RSPS include:

• Post your server on every RSPS toplist and offer good incentives to players to vote;
• Share your project/advertisement threads in discord channels as often as allowed;
• Pay for ads on RSPS lists and other Runescape-related websites, social media, and Google;
• Partner with popular RSPS Youtubers & streamers to create video content;
• Offer giveaways & promotions - Discord invite competitions, other referral programs, limited-time new player bonuses …the options are endless.

3.    Continuously Update & Improve

Update, bump and improve your server, website, and any threads you have across RSPS forums as often as you possibly can! Not offering enough updates or releasing content the community does not agree with can cause a server to slowly die, or never take off at all. Keep the RSPS community and your players engaged by keeping them up to date with everything that is going on in your server. Players like to feel involved and a part of the creation of the server, so constantly offer them updates and actively listen to their feedback. 

Release at least two updates every week to make players aware that you are continuously making moves to improve the game. If you can manage more, then more power to you! Another good strategy is to offer different types of updates each week to keep things interesting. If you add a new boss or minigame this week, then maybe switch things up next week with a new zone for training. Be sure to include bug fixes & other improvements too, especially things suggested by players. You want to give players that feeling of “Wow! This server is constantly growing and offering fun, new activities & improvements!” Otherwise, players will surely lose interest over time and find a server that offers more exciting/frequent updates. 

As a server owner, you may find it difficult to keep up with frequently releasing updates to the community while trying to manage everything else. However, with the correct time management or team behind you, anything is possible. Set aside about one hour out of your week to prepare and post updates to every source you can. Pick a day and time each week you would like to release an update, then set reminders for yourself to get it done on time. Take about 15-30 minutes to gather information and write it out, then another 10-15 minutes to share it on your website, discord, and any other RSPS community discord or forums you can post to. If you cannot handle everything by yourself, then simply ask other members of your team to help make sure your server never misses its scheduled update release. Lastly again, I cannot stress this enough: consistency is KEY.

✅ What do you believe helps attract more players to a RSPS? Feel free to tell us what you think in the comments below.
 

Article Written by @Kharyrll

About RSPS Toplists

The popularity of a RSPS is determined by the number of votes it has received by players on a toplist. Players can vote for a RSPS every 12-24 hours by visiting a toplist website or click the “Voting” page found on most servers’ individual websites. In order for a server to be eligible for voting, the server owner must register their server with a toplist. Additionally, most servers integrate the toplist API into their website and server code in order for players to easily vote and receive rewards for voting. 

Vote Rewards

Voting for a Runescape private server is often seen as a great method for new players to earn money. Players are able to accumulate points from voting which may be used to receive a variety of in-game rewards from many servers. Those in-game rewards might include anything from gold to special perks or even rare items! Some servers also offer additional rewards for voting regularly or voting on particular toplists. 

RSPS List Advertising

Runescape private server toplists are a free resource for servers to boost their player count. Most RSPS see these toplists as a necessity for growth and often pay for prime placement of their server on the list or ad banners found throughout the website. Pricing for paid advertisements can range from $10 up to $500 per month and typically depends on the amount of traffic a toplist website receives. 

The Top RSPS Toplists
Listed below are the most popular RSPS toplists available for you to browse.

1. https://runelist.io/rsps-toplist/
2. https://www.runelocus.com/top-rsps-list/
3. https://www.rune-server.ee/toplist/
4. https://www.moparscape.org/rsps-list
5. https://everythingrs.com/
6. https://www.rsps-list.com/
7. https://topg.org/Runescape
8. https://www.arena-top100.com/runescape-private-servers/
9. https://www.top100arena.com/runescape
10. https://runead.com/
11. https://gtop100.com/topsites/Runescape-private-server-top-100-list

Article Written by Chanston

The birth of RSPS

RSPS first came into existence around 2005 with the purpose of learning how to create bots to automate tasks within official Runescape servers. A single-player server known as, “Winter Love,” was set up and game mechanics were studied in order to create a proper protocol for bots before unleashing them into real Runescape. Shortly following this, Winter Love multiplayer was released to the public for players to play online together. Instantly, it was a hit, and so began the Runescape private server revolution! Thousands of unique RSPS have since existed and an entire niche community of its own has flourished.

What's different about RSPS

Many players enjoy RSPS because they are oftentimes modified to offer players an easier or more unique gameplay experience in comparison to Runescape. Most servers offer features to players, such as, the ability to level their character up more quickly and collect rare items easily. In some instances, Runescape private servers even create their own custom items for you to collect, maps to explore, and NPC’s for you to interact with that are not found in real Runescape. The gameplay is sometimes so different within some servers that they require a new aptitude to play, but very fun.

If you are interested in learning how to play a Runescape private server, then read further.

Article Written by Chanston

Creating a popular RSPS

Step One: Planning

The first step is one of the most important. It involves thinking about what type of server you plan on hosting and what revision as well as content you are to include. You can read more about types by clicking here. In this newspost, we will only cover the basics to avoid repetition. The majority of servers tend to become an economy server that focuses on Player vs Monster content such as Chambers of Xerics, The Inferno, The Nightmare and Theatre of Blood. Other servers tend to focus on PvP, or player-vs-player, which involves activity around the Wilderness.

In addition, you must also think about what revision you are to create. This is an important decision because if you plan on creating a business out of your RSPS, then you need to do research and see which revision players currently prefer to play. However, if you are only doing this as a hobby or for a smaller group of individuals then you can choose what ever suits you best.

As of the current day, 14th December 2021, the most popular choice are Oldschool Runescape (DEOB) Economy Servers.
 

Step Two: Assembly (Pre-Launch)

Second step is to assemble a team in order to assist you in the creation of your RSPS. Working alone is certainly possible, but it takes a substantial amount of time, knowledge and resources. Therefore, you need to think about who you want to work with. You will need multiple motivated individuals who strongly believe they are capable of pulling off the entire workload on their own. Some individuals that share the same mindset as you will be willing to work for a reduced amount of payment or for free. However, others that do not share the same mindset or who do development as a job will require you to pay them per task or per week/month. In order to create a successful RSPS you are required to have at least three developers with two focusing on the game whilst the other focuses on web development. Alongside that, you will more than likely need a manager to handle the administration, a moderation team, and marketing team. While this is the base outline for a solid team, it can be extended with additional members based on your needs and preferences (E.g. Modellers, Youtubers, Graphical Artists, etc).

It is recommended to have the following as a minimum to pull off a successful RSPS:

• x2 Game Developers
• x1 Website Developer
• x1 Game Manager
   

Step Three: Development

Third step involves development of the game and the website. During this stage things might seem stale. While the developers work on the game there is not much to be done apart from building a community which we will cover later. The most important aspect to keep in mind is that developers may burn out from overworking whilst the team and players may lose motivation from extended waiting. One method to combat both is to ensure that the developers maintain a healthy workload and do not feel a constant need to work on the server. However, when they do spend time on adding new content, then it ought to be highlighted through a medium of communication, such as e.g. Discord, Skype, Forums or an outside community like RuneList. Seeing updates from the developers will motivate players and staff to involve themselves into the project by brainstorming ideas and discussing topics related to your game. In turn, that will motivate developers to continue working on the server. 
 

Step Four: Marketing

Fourth step is about marketing, which arguably is what makes or breaks a server. In order to efficiently market your RSPS, you need to have capital built up that you are ready to spend. Some of the most popular methods to advertise a RSPS involves paying Youtubers to make videos, creating threads and posts about your RSPS on outside communities (e.g. RuneList) through toplists, news and forums and mouth-to-mouth advertisement by players. While there are free methods of marketing, they aren't always as effective as the ones that require payment. Keep in mind that spending thousands of dollars on marketing won't necessarily make your server stand out. If your gameplay contains bugs, if the website is malfunctioning or if players are not satisfied with the game they are given then they will more than likely leave after an hour or two.

Down below you will find some very rough statistics based on interviews with server owners:

• Small Servers (0 to 50 Players): 0$ to 500$
• Medium Servers (50 to 250 Players): 500$ to 3,000$
• Large Servers (250 to 500 Players): 3,000$ to 7,500$
• Massive Servers (Over 500 Players): Over 7,500$

Keep in mind one can obtain more/less players with more/less invested.
 

Step Five: Launch

The final step is the launch, which is one of the most important one. Several server owners tend to say that the launch is the peak of your server. Therefore, you wish to aim at more players on launch then you plan on maintaining. E.g. If your goal is to keep 300 players online at all times, you will want to reach around 550 on launch as most of them aren't deeply invested into the game and will more than likely leave shortly. Another good technique is to think that 1/10 of your discord members will stay and play your server. The biggest mistake you need to look out for is rushing your launch. Rushing to launch is a mistake that a lot of servers do due to e.g. investors and time restraints. The problem is that a lot of aspects are overlooked which can lead to significant problems for the players. Make sure you have everything ready before you launch, or postpone it to a later date.

Conclusion

To summarize, you need to have a good strategy, a strong team and at least a little bit of money in order to create a popular rsps. Look into the most popular server type and revision, assemble the team you deem to be fit and give the server your all!

Article Written by SilverNova 

Gameplay Types

The first thing you need to do is determine what type of gameplay you most enjoy in Runescape. Think about what years of the game were most memorable to you. Some of those periods might include pre-EOC, RS3, or OSRS. You might also enjoy a custom RSPS which could include a mashup of more than one period (also known as a revision) of Runescape, or even something completely new. Another aspect to consider is whether you prefer PvP or Economy based play. Check out this detailed guide to learn more about RSPS types.

Finding a RSPS

Once you determine which type of gameplay you enjoy the most, the next step is to start trying out servers. By using a RSPS toplist you may find an organized list of servers ranking from the most popular to the least. However, keep in mind that just because a server may or may not be more popular than another does not mean it is any greater or lesser than others. Most all servers have something different to offer, so it is up to you to decide what you enjoy. Toplists are a great resource to find information and media regarding key features servers have to offer. Additionally, you may also find links those server’s websites and Discord where you may find more details. 

Selecting Gamemodes

Once you find the RSPS that suites you best it is time to begin your journey! Download the server’s client to play. This can usually either be find on the server’s website or Discord. Most servers allow you to create an account by simply typing a username and password, then logging in. Others may require you to sign-up on their website first. Once you login, many RSPS have multiple exp and game modes to choose from upon logging in. Follow the game’s instructions and select the best style that suites your play. Finally, it is time to have fun and explore! 

General In-game help

Runescape private servers usually offer a variety of resources to assist new players. Often times you can join the “help” clan chat in order to receive help from staff and other players. This would be the best place to connect with the community while you are clicking around and exploring. Another useful tip is to type ::commands upon logging in. Most servers offer a list of commands that players may use to navigate the game. Some of the commands might include ::home, ::shops, ::Dzone, and so many more!

In the end, it is best to try out multiple servers because there are so many options available and every server has something different to offer. You really will not know what you like the most until you try a few! 

Best of luck in your adventures! If you ever need any help at all remember Runelist is here for you and all your RSPS needs.
 

Article Written by Zac S

1. RSPS Types

There are three main types of RSPS: Economy, PvP and a mix of the two. Typically, servers tend to focus on one type. In rare cases, they might attempt to create multiple worlds where one world is of e.g. Economy whilst the other is PvP. The economy and PvP game types could be seen as opposites as one heavily focuses on Player versus Monster (PvM) environments, while the other is based around Player versus Player (PvP) action.

1.1 Economy

The economy server type is one of the most popular server types out there. By playing an economy RSPS, you will mainly be focusing on leveling up your account through solo modes like the ironman game modes, or by trading and interacting with others through what is known as a standard mode. In economy type servers, players rely on gathering resources through skilling and obtaining valuable items from mobs around the world. This type of server is recommended for players that enjoy casual gaming through AFK grindings while skilling, and easy to hard levels of combat.

1.2 PvP

A Player-vs-Player or PvP RSPS requires a lot of knowledge regarding game mechanics. Therefore, it is mostly played by veteran players or players who simply enjoy more difficult challenges than casual PvM battles. In PvP, you fight other players with similar combat levels to your own. On login, you are typically given a set amount of items and a flexible amount of levels which you can change to fit your fighting style. The main object in PvP servers is to fight other players to climb the rankings of KD (Kills & Deaths) while obtaining powerful weapons and armours from killing your opponents. There tends to be very little to no focus on skilling and PvE aspects on PvP servers, so you should look for these only for the sake of some Player vs Player action.

1.3 Mix of the Two

Many servers attempt to implement both PvP and Economy aspects into their game through a multitude of clever methods aimed to enhance gameplay and cater to a wider variety of players. For instance, some servers offer specific game modes allowing you to choose how you’d like to play. In the process of creating your account you might be prompted with which game mode you would like to choose. One or more modes are likely to be geared towards PvP which grants faster combat training rates, but result in reduced skilling rates.Other options might be economy modes with slower combat training rates and decent skilling rates. Keep in mind that servers that try to incorporate the best of both worlds do not always succeed and sometimes result in one type of gameplay dominating the other.

2. RSPS Revisions

RSPS revisions specify what version of Runescape data a server is loading. Data means items, objects, monsters, animations, etc. So the higher revision a server has the more data that is included in the server from the most current version of the game. For example, a 614 revision contains close to 15,500 items while a 803 revision has over 30,000. Some players actually prefer the older look and feel of RSPS out of nostalgia. In other words, newer is not always better. In the end, everyone has their own opinion as to what type and revision of server is best, so I encourage you to try a variety to find the best RSPS for you.

Article Written by SilverNova