Jagex has launched the live beta of their long-awaited RuneScape update, RuneScape High Detail. The popular free browser-based MMO has had its graphics completely overhauled to better appeal to people finally ready to leave Ultima Online behind. The beta is really only a beta to forgive any bugs that might crop up, as subscribers who join the beta do so with their live characters, with anything that occurs in beta carrying over when the beta ends.

While the beta is currently only for paying subscribers, Jagex will be letting everyone else in on the fun in due time. Hit the jump for the new trailer for the title, which features the awesome blurb "Now Playable In Full Screen" which makes me giggle every time I see it.

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RuneScape content manager Imre Jele wins the gold star for best intelligent comment of 2008 Monday morning. When discussing the issue of black market gold trading, he explained:

"To be honest, I think instead of real-world trading, games have to be designed in a way that they provide enough fun while you are getting somewhere; if I am incapable of providing you with enough fun while you collect that 1000 gold for a steed, then the game is not good enough.

So, so true. True enough, in fact, that we'll disregard his horrible metaphor in which he likened little kids buying gold on eBay to sex-starved grownups funding dangerous, criminal prostitution rings.

Buying MMO gold is like funding prostitution [Eurogamer]