For years, RuneScape players have grappled with the “Treasure Hunter” feature, introduced back in 2014. Many within the community view it as a problematic “pay-to-win” mechanic that detracts from the genuine experience of players who prefer to earn their way. Now, after much consideration, Jagex, the game’s developer, has made an unprecedented decision: the fate of Treasure Hunter will be determined directly by the players themselves.
An official online poll is now live, giving every eligible RuneScape player a chance to cast their vote. If a staggering 100,000 players choose to remove Treasure Hunter, the feature, along with all 225 associated direct XP and skilling items, will be completely eliminated from the game. This bold move would streamline in-game purchases to just two categories: Bonus XP with carefully capped storage limits per skill (to prevent excessive buying), and purely cosmetic items designed to fit the game’s established visual style.
“Today marks truly a pivotal moment in RuneScape’s storied history,” declared Jagex in a statement. “We are laying out a vision for a future founded on integrity, where personal achievements are earned through dedication, and the expansive world of Gielinor can truly captivate. This is a game-changing decision for RuneScape, and it’s YOU who will cast the defining vote—much like when the community shaped the very birth of Old School RuneScape.”
Jagex acknowledged prior internal experiments and surveys which suggested Treasure Hunter was seen as a valuable shortcut for players with limited time. To address this, Bonus XP will remain available in the in-game store. However, the new skill caps for stored XP are specifically designed to encourage players to actively engage with the core gameplay and progression systems, rather than simply purchasing their way to higher levels.
Should players vote to remove Treasure Hunter, Jagex has committed to an “Integrity Roadmap” spanning a full year. This ambitious plan aims to tackle long-standing issues that have hindered RuneScape, including improvements to the user interface (UI), new player onboarding experiences, a re-evaluation of “dailyscape” activities, and even a fresh look at the combat system. Furthermore, the development team will refine the balance of XP progression to ensure that leveling up each skill remains a satisfying journey, even with a significant reduction in microtransaction-related skilling items.
Players eager to participate must log in with their RuneScape characters to cast their vote. The poll will remain open until November 12. Already, nearly 40,000 players have voted in favor of Treasure Hunter’s removal, signaling strong community engagement.
In related news, the standalone “Old School RuneScape” recently celebrated a new milestone, breaking its concurrent-user record with an impressive 241,016 players online simultaneously.