When a community from your favorite MMORPG gathers around a strip club DJ who casually mentions hitting a crab during his shift, it definitely grabs attention. This curious situation unfolded earlier this week when a Reddit user known as Common_Vagrant, who plays Old School RuneScape and works as a strip club DJ, shared a post that quickly made waves. His statement read, “It’s dead at the club, so I’m hitting up the crab.” The accompanying picture depicted a laptop set up on a DJ mixer, radiating vibrant blue, green, and red lights, all while the stage remained empty of guests.
For the uninitiated, “the crab” referenced in CV’s post pertains to the Gem Crab, a newly introduced feature in OSRS designed for AFK training. Players strike this creature for ten minutes before moving it to its new location, allowing for an uninterrupted gameplay experience that has since fostered a dedication among players to these crabs.
CV updated his post with a comedic twist, mentioning, “Update: Stripper saw me playing, I have been deeply judged.” He humorously noted, “Jokes on her, she doesn’t have a stale baguette like me,” alluding to a collectible item from the game’s ‘Sandwich Lady’ random event.
Having spent considerable time immersed in MMO culture, I’ve come across players from every walk of life, but witnessing RuneScape in a strip club is a first. Intrigued by this novel intersection, I decided to reach out to CV for further insights into his now-famous Reddit experience.
After over a decade in gaming journalism, stories of players returning to RuneScape time and again are common. CV’s journey reflects this narrative. After an early start in the game, he lost his original account due to parental email mishaps, dabbled in mainline RuneScape only to quit following a scam, and eventually found his way back into OSRS. “I’m back on the horse. At 30, I guess you could say I’m a veteran now,” he shared.
Once you step into the world of RuneScape, quitting becomes a challenge; players often take breaks instead. “I honestly thought I was done for good. I’ve discontinued my memberships so frequently that I swore I wouldn’t return,” CV explained. “Jagex deserves credit; they’ve kept me engaged for two decades on and off. They’ve mastered the formula for digital engagement.”
CV acknowledged the stereotype surrounding strip club DJs, saying, “It’s not very common for someone like me to be playing OSRS. DJs are usually older and perhaps out of touch. I don’t see myself that way, unless you consider 30 old.” (I can relate; I’m 31 as well.)
So how does one find themselves playing OSRS while working in a strip club? The story unfolds by networking with the establishment’s staff through regular visits to a bar owned by the same person, asking if they needed a DJ as gigs became scarce, and securing a position that offers stability even during slower times. It’s a situation that could easily fit into a Grand Theft Auto narrative.
Curious about CV’s thoughts on this unusual scenario, he remarked, “I wouldn’t picture myself as the main character in a GTA game, but I could see myself as the eccentric NPC who meets an untimely end in a strip club, doing what I love.”
Interestingly, CV mentioned that none of his colleagues at the club are players of OSRS. This could stem from the fact that he has yet to incorporate any RuneScape tracks into his DJ sets, despite classics like ‘Sea Shanty’ that could easily attract interest. “I’m sure some of them have played in the past, but none come to mind now,” he admitted. “The game doesn’t seem to appeal much to younger audiences. I tried getting my stepbrother, who’s 20, to play, and he grimaced at the graphics.”
Interestingly, some of the club’s female staff tend to engage with Nintendo Switch games during their downtime, enjoying titles like Animal Crossing, Mario Kart, and Stray. Imagine if Nintendo allowed Rockstar to include GTA 6’s upcoming stripper NPCs playing on a Switch 2!
The future holds uncertainty for one of the oldest living MMOs, as well as for its notorious microtransaction offerings, with the community now having a say in its direction.