RuneScape, the renowned fantasy MMO, finds itself at a pivotal moment in its history. Developer Jagex has taken a bold step by proposing to eliminate the contentious microtransaction feature known as Treasure Hunter. However, this change hinges on whether at least 100,000 players participate in a new custom poll advocating for its removal. As of now, just three hours after the poll’s launch, the affirmative votes have surged past 42,000.
Cast Your Vote to Remove Treasure Hunter
The poll, aptly titled “Remove Treasure Hunter?”, is currently available here. This initiative recalls a significant moment from the past when player feedback led to the revival of Old School RuneScape, which was seemingly erased when the Evolution of Combat update significantly altered the game mechanics, giving rise to what we now know as RuneScape 3. Interestingly, Old School RuneScape relies on player polls for almost every major update to this day.
Jagex has stated, “Today marks one of the most important moments in RuneScape history. We are proposing a new future for the game led by integrity, where your achievements are based on merit, and the vast experiences offered within Gielinor can truly shine. This is an era-defining shift for RuneScape where YOU will cast the deciding vote – just as we did for the birth of Old School.”
The Appeal of Integrity in Gameplay
An anti-FOMO (fear of missing out) strategy might seem unconventional for most MMOs and live service games, yet it is precisely what has fueled Old School RuneScape’s resurgence to a peak of 240,000 players: “Everything you earn matters forever.”
Jagex’s new CEO articulated his vision for the company, stating that in the next five years, he aspires for RuneScape to become “the second biggest MMO” in the West, right after World of Warcraft, emphasizing that “we’re already very close to that.”
One poignant example of community sentiment emerged when parents of a late baby son were visibly moved by a massive in-game tribute from players, demonstrating the emotional connections fostered within the RuneScape community.
Voting Process Explained
The polling process is straightforward: there is a singular choice available: “Vote Yes Now.” Supporting this option signifies a desire for a RuneScape focused on integrity driven by players’ own gameplay achievements. This would entail the removal of Treasure Hunter.
If Treasure Hunter is eliminated, it would mean the eradication of 225 different microtransactions related to skill experience and skilling items. Consequently, the only remaining purchasable items would be Bonus XP and cosmetics.
Jagex reassured players, saying, “For those of you who told us you rely on MTX items to fit RuneScape into your life, we will continue to offer Bonus XP in the store as the only purchasable means to speed up progression.” They noted that 54% of survey respondents expressed a preference for retaining some form of progression-friendly microtransaction option.
This decision could significantly tidy up RuneScape’s economy, which has gradually drifted toward a pay-to-win scenario or, at the very least, pay-to-skip as the number of players in RuneScape 3 has sharply declined in contrast to the Old School version’s rapidly growing community. Players currently possessing any of the affected items will have an “amnesty period” to exhaust their usage.
New Direction for RuneScape’s Monetization
This poll marks a central element of Jagex’s initiative to restore integrity to RuneScape 3, as expressed by CEO Jon Bellamy. He acknowledged that since the introduction of Squeal of Fortune in 2012 and subsequently Treasure Hunter in 2014, their monetization strategy has, over time, compromised the integrity fundamental to RuneScape.
Bellamy, who has articulated a multi-year development plan for both versions of RuneScape, emphasized, “While these systems have helped fund the game, they’ve done so at a cost to something far greater: the integrity of our worlds. This vote is about correcting that and taking a step toward designing experiences that are fair, rewarding, and built to last.”
Jagex reassured players, stating, “This will all be done without impacting one of the biggest and most ambitious content Roadmaps in RuneScape’s history. If the vote is successful, we will announce this Roadmap alongside our Content Roadmap in January’s RuneScape Ahead.”
As I drafted this article, an additional 2,000 votes were rapidly added. With two weeks remaining for voting, optimism is in the air. The Old School RuneScape community, often anxious about the potential consequences of microtransactions, has rallied strongly, and the weary RuneScape 3 community is actively expressing their support.
“I can’t believe I lived to see this,” exclaimed one RS3 player, capturing the collective thrill and anticipation among long-time fans of the series.