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RuneScape Evolution of Combat expansion enters beta

"The biggest changes we've ever made," promises Jagex.

Long-running MMO RuneScape's Evolution of Combat expansion enters its beta phase today, developer Jagex has announced.

50,000 "elite" testers have been picked from the "hundreds of thousands" who applied to take part in the trial run.

In addition, all RuneScape players who have been members for the last 12 months and signed up for access automatically qualify to take part. And beyond that, all other regular players can access the beta during members-only open weekends, the first of which kicks off on 7th July.

As explained by lead designer Mark Ogilvie, the update revamps the games combat systems and makes a number of major new additions.

"The Evolution of Combat update is the biggest change we've ever made in RuneScape's long history and we're incredibly excited to finally let our players take part," he said.

"We really wanted to make our conflict gameplay more about the actual art of combat, so we've added amazing abilities which will give the player a wealth of choices to use in PvE and PvP combat, and the way those abilities relate to each other will bring a completely new sense of tactical depth to the game.

"We've also made huge improvements to the look and sound of combat, meaning the entire game has become a far more gritty, visceral and adrenaline pumping experience."