Getting There is Easy, Staying on Top is Hard von smrtsmiths Blog

These days when MMORPGs are released into your world within an unfinished state, most cry murder and declare their undying hate for your developers, but Jagex attempted things differently. While a genuine exercise in ongoing development, RuneScape was launched on the public without cost initially along with a year Cheap RuneScape Gold later in February 2002 a regular membership fee was brought to those ready to fund further additions. The payment was half that of an traditional service, and those that subscribed received additional content, and having access to other areas.
This "premium" service that Jagex introduced would prove for being one of the overall game's most effective assets. As time went by, the entire world began to split up into subscriber and RuneScape Gold for sale free areas, while both sides from the payment fence were continually catered for. Having a totally free-to-play part of RuneScape is the vital thing to its success - it serves being a trial for any individual wishing to utilise the "full" game, whilst also gathering a huge community of such who either can't buy, or don't desire to subscribe with an MMO.