RuneScape holds a survey to decide the fate of its monetization efforts

For a game that is over two decades old, RuneScape has been largely controversy-free. Until the past year or two, then they seemingly started to step into it left, right, and centre. Now, Jagex is looking to claw back some goodwill by holding a vote on whether or not to ban the Treasure Hunter microtransactions.

The decision has come after Jagex carried out a few so-called MTX Experiments. MTX stands for Microtransactions, because the X makes it cool. You can check out the full proposals on the website, but basically, Treasure Hunter will be removed, which is the system where you buy keys for random prizes. Your standard monetization practice. 

So, why are they doing this? There are two theories, both of which are explored in a Reddit post by Change 2222. The user brings up the fact that the EU is looking to ban gambling-like features in video games. You probably know about that; the biggest prong is banning loot boxes in games that minors can play.

A response from JagexHooli, a mod for RuneScape, throws a different spin on things. Their response says the developers are looking for ways to stem the tide of players leaving the game. The vote needs 100,000 players to agree for it to pass, and its average player count is at most 10% of that. Something needs to change.

JagexHooli does mention that this EU law might take years to ratify, and Jagex is instead trying to save the game, but let’s face it, they have had a few oops moments lately. The first thing that comes to mind is the Hero Pass, one of the awful tier-based monstrosities that lasted maybe a month before Jagex, to their credit, reversed it under community pressure. 

Even more recently, the team put out a survey that tested the waters for various membership shifts. This included tiers that had adverts and AFK Timers. Unfortunately, the survey is now deactivated, because the Update article mentioned feedback about Player Support. I sincerely hope that at no time has Jagex planned to monetize the support desk.

Finally, one that isn’t gameplay-related. Or at least not heavily so. In one of the new CEOs, Jon Bellamy, first acts, he removed Pride from RuneScape. Whether you support his position or not, it definitely piled onto RuneScape at an already perilous time. And maybe removing monetization will build back its player base.