Jagex has launched a landmark community vote, putting the future of RuneScape‘s most controversial microtransactions directly in the hands of its players. The vote, which is now live, offers the option to remove the Treasure Hunter system from the long-running MMO completely.
However, there is a significant condition: the vote must surpass 100,000 “yes” votes for the change to be implemented.
If the threshold is met, Jagex has committed to removing Treasure Hunter entirely. This change would also see over 220 associated items that offer gameplay benefits removed from sale. This list includes controversial items like XP Lamps, Proteans, Portables, and Dummies, which have long been a source of community frustration, with many players feeling they create a “pay-to-win” environment that undermines the game’s core skill-based progression.
The move is part of what Jagex describes as a “wider shift… to focus on deeper, more meaningful gameplay and to build greater trust” with its community. Jon Bellamy, CEO of Jagex, was candid in his assessment of the game’s monetisation history.
“Since Squeal of Fortune was introduced in 2012, and subsequently Treasure Hunter in 2014, our approach to monetisation has, over time, eroded some of the integrity at the heart of RuneScape. The most concerning elements of our MTX systems have been those that allowed players to bypass core gameplay, skipping over the depth, challenge, and sense of discovery that make RuneScape truly special. 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.”
The company has released a video further explaining the vote and its implications, which you can watch below.
The community vote is live now on the official RuneScape website and will run for 14 days. RuneScape is available on PC, Steam, and mobile devices via the App Store and Google Play, with whole cross-platform progression.
