RuneScape Dev really wants players to vote to remove the game's most unpopular microtransaction

RuneScape developer Jagex is considering removing one of the game's least popular yet most ubiquitous layers of microtransactions. But instead of just making the decision itself, it lets the entire player base vote on whether to drop them entirely.

Oh, the vote was definitely rigged. But…is it being manipulated for the benefit of the players?

Currently, the modern version of RuneScape (also known as RuneScape 3) features several different types of microtransactions, with one of the main features being called Treasure Hunters. Basically, Treasure Hunter allows players to obtain keys in various ways that can be used to open treasure chests and obtain items of varying rarities. While a small number of keys can be obtained without spending money, more keys can be obtained for players who spend money in the game. Over time, this led to players complaining that Treasure Hunter was essentially a pay-to-win mechanic, as players could obtain items through Treasure Hunter that gave them a large amount of experience points, effectively encouraging players to spend more money to level up their character quickly.

Treasure Hunter and its predecessor Scream of Fortune have had other issues with microtransactions over the years, but the ability to essentially pay to bypass gameplay is by far the most controversial. In fact, Jagex even tried to partially remove the feature back in July, when it disabled microtransactions for a week. one Follow-up investigation conducted by the studio It shows that 65% of players have a positive or neutral attitude towards this change.

So today, Jagex issued a press release stating that it is launching a community vote to “determine the future of RuneScape microtransactions.” The developer has launched a page on its website that allows players to vote to remove Treasure Hunters from the game entirely, along with more than 220 related items, including experience-boosting items that have caused problems in the past. Jagex says it will remove Treasure Hunters from the game if the vote reaches more than 100,000 votes.

“This vote is one of the most important moments in RuneScape's history,” Jagex CEO Jon Bellamy said in a statement. “From now on, players will have a decisive vote on the future direction of the game. Since the launch of Squeal of Fortune in 2012, followed by Treasure Hunters in 2014, our monetization approach has eroded some of the integrity of RuneScape's core over time.

“The most concerning elements of our MTX systems are those that allow players to bypass core gameplay and skip the depth, challenge, and sense of discovery that make RuneScape truly special. While these systems provide financial support for the game, they do so at a greater cost: the integrity of our world. This vote is intended to correct that and take a step toward designing experiences that are fair, rewarding, and long-lasting.”

It should be noted that the Jagex poll is not a poll at all. this is a Buttons the player can press If they want to vote for removing treasure hunter. Players cannot vote “no” and if a total of 100,000 people vote yes, Jagex will simply implement the change. The page itself makes it very clear that Jagex wants players to vote on this. The use of language like suggesting that those voting “yes” want to “see an integrity-led RuneScape driven by your own achievements,” and the presence of multiple green “Vote Now” buttons further down the page, well, isn't exactly subtle. In fact, Jagex doesn't seem ready to implement this, as if it already knows what the outcome will be.

But while an obviously manipulated non-poll sounds bad, it is return Remarkably, players actually do seem to want this to happen. On the RuneScape subreddit, players were ecstatic. The top comment on Jagex mod's official post announcing the vote simply said “Based on the Divine”, followed by “I can't believe I'm alive to see this”, and many, many more similar comments. In fact, the positivity is overwhelming. While some players seemed skeptical that they could meet the 100,000-vote requirement, others were confident, even suggesting that OSRS (Old School RuneScape) players might also support the poll, just in principle. It seems they have nothing to worry about. As of this writing, voting has only been open for four hours and 50,000 votes have been received. As background, Jagex states on its website that over 320,000,000 RuneScape accounts have been created over the years… although how many of those are active is a very different question (Old School RuneScape recently surpassed 240,000 players this August).

Overall, this seems to be a positive, long-required, and welcome change for the RuneScape community. It's a bit strange that it's designed as a poll when the desired outcome for both players and developers is so obvious. It's possible this could be seen as a positive PR move, especially considering Jagex was acquired just last year, Bellamy took over as the new CEO in March this year, and he's already made a bad round of headlines Annual in-game pride event canceled.

If players want to remove microtransactions, they have until November 12 to vote, and can continue to vote after 100,000 people exceed the required number to express support for the change. Removing Treasure Hunter will not completely remove all microtransactions from the game, cosmetics and bonus XP items with a set cap will remain to help curb bugs.

Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter at IGN. You can find her posts at BlueSky @duckvalentine.bsky.social. Have a story tip? Send it to [email protected].