You may have heard stories about the joys and benefits of being a moderator. If you are reading this right now, it's because you probably want to become one. Let me start out by saying that I am a player moderator myself, so I can give you more information than Jagex is perhaps willing to divulge on the RuneScape website.
First and foremost: There is no way to guarantee your becoming of a moderator. There is no "right" or "wrong" way to become a moderator. However, I have some very helpful tips that may help increase your chances of becoming one. Let me first dispell some common myths about player moderators.
Myth 1: Jagex Pays its Moderators
Reality: Player Moderators get no salaries in either real money or in-game items/GP. Jagex Moderators are paid salaries, but that's because they are actual employees of Jagex Ltd.
Myth 2: Jagex Gives its Moderators Free Membership
Reality: Player Moderators get NO free memberships. Some are members, while others are not. (I am not a member) Moderators still pay standard membership fees (there are no discounts either). In addition, Moderators do not beta-test new Runescape features before other players get to experience the changes. Moderators are not informed of future RS changes or updates.
Myth 3: Jagex Only Makes High-Level Players into Moderators
Reality: Any level player can be a moderator. 3 to 126. I was level 60 when I became one. In fact, I'm still confronted with surprised players: "OMG low level mod." I have personally seen level 3 moderators.
Myth 4: Moderators Can Ban People
Reality: Player Moderators cannot ban people (Only Jagex Moderators can do that). However, the Abuse Reports from Moderators are looked at more closely and faster by the Runescape Administrators than regular players' reports. In addition, Player Moderators can prevent people from talking for 48 hours (called a "mute").
Myth 5: Moderators Can Fix Lost/Hacked Accounts
Reality: It pains me deeply when I have to turn away people who come to me begging to recover their hacked account and/or lost items. In truth, Player Moderators have no ability whatsoever to deal with other people's accounts. We can't recover your items, we cannot appeal a ban for you, we cannot unlock your account, and we cannot recover your hacked account. You must deal directly with Jagex to solve these problems. As a sidenote, please don't report Riots to moderators. We have been given explicit instructions never to approach or interfere with a riot. Our hands are tied. Don't push us, please.
Myth 6: Moderators Can Do Whatever They Want and are Immune From Punishment
Reality: Moderators are just like regular players, and thus subject to the same set of rules and punishments regular players are. Veritably, Moderators need to be extra careful because they risk the shame of being de-modded for bad behavior. If you see a moderator breaking the rules, report him/her. If one is pestering you, add him/her to your ignore list. If a moderator mutes you for no reason, be assured that Jagex will investigate the matter fully, restore your account, and take appropriate action against the offending moderator. I can tell you that each week, a handful of moderators (usually between 5 and 18) are removed from the community for behaving badly.
Myth 7: Moderators are Required to Play a Certain Number of Hours Each Week
Reality: Although moderators must inform Jagex to any extended leaves (+1 week of no playing), there is no amount of playing time required. I only played 4 hours a week during school, sometimes less. A minor exception is during the training period for new moderators, but I can't disclose any information about that.
Myth 8: You Must Submit Your Password to Become a Moderator
Reality: Jagex never asks for your password nor sends you a regular email. If you have been chosen to become a Moderator, Jagex will send you an in-game message informing you.
Still want to be a moderator? I'll give you some suggestions that will help increase your chances of becoming one.
- Be nice. Nobody likes a jerk. Don't cuss at people. Don't insult people. Don't make fun of people. Don't shun people for no reason. Don't laugh at noobs. Don't be rude. Don't trash talk or spam the chat window. Don't complain or crab all the time. It just isn't nice, and won't be looked upon favorably by anybody-especially by Jagex.
- Be helpful. When somebody asks for directions, suggest they open the map or point them in the right direction. Don't tell people to go into the Lumbridge Swamp Cave with a candle. Likewise, don't tell people Edgeville is due south from Falador. Don't ignore people asking for help. If you enocunter people begging for GP, give them suggestions on how to make money-don't ignore or cuss at them. If someone asks you to make something for them, do it if you can (and provided they give you appropriate compensation, whether in form of GP or raw materials). I can't tell you how many times I made ammulets or armor for people for free-all I asked for was the materials to make the items with.
- Don't bug or kiss up to Moderators. That annoys us. Just act normal. Don't expect us to recommend you to Jagex after talking for us to five minutes. Moderators are not supposed to inform people they have recommended. Even if you think a moderator is not around, don't act badly. You never know who is watching you.
- Don't boast about your breaking of rules or being bad to people. That's just common sense, isn't it?
- Don't participate in riots.
- Don't post stuff on third party websites that encourages rule breaking inside Runescape. You will be caught. I know this because I have reported numerous people selling accounts on YouTube.
In conclusion, just play nicely, and behave yourself. Even if you are never selected to be a moderator, following the above suggestions will create a nicer, more friendly atmosphere and environment within Runescape, which helps everybody.
A note about Jagex Moderators (gold crown people): Don't mess with them. Ever. They mean business. They are very serious employees who get paid to make sure Runescape runs correctly. If a moderator (any type) refuses to talk to you, he or she is probably in the middle of either beta testing (if it's a Jagex Moderator) or on the lookout for certain rule breakers.
Endnote: Jagex did not mandate me to write this. I am not writing what Jagex tells me to write nor am I saying this is a surefire way of becoming a moderator. Being a moderator is not all fun and games. We have pages upon pages of guidelines and extra rules we must abide by. We also have the extra responsibility of keeping Runescape a friendly place for everybody. There is an incredible amount of reading material that is for moderators only, so I cannot share it with anybody, but nobody besides us needs to know that. I've told you what you need to know, now go out and play nicely, please.
