RuneScape To Kick Off "Community Consultation" Group To Review How The MMORPG Is Monetized

Like just about every other free-to-play game out there, RuneScape has a number of ways that players can financially support the development of the MMORPG. Obviously RuneScape offers an optional subscription and many other microtransactions, some of which venture into the realm of "lootbox" type content. This has been a concern for not only players, but also most companies over the last few years given how some countries have started to ban lootbox-type content in games.

About a month ago, JAGEX sent out a survey that included discussion and questions surrounding lootboxes and specifically the "Treasure Hunter" feature. While the survey was mainly centered around RuneScape 3, it looks like the feedback gained may end up causing change in RuneScape as a whole...or at least it COULD lead to change.

Feedback on the survey itself on social media was generally positive. Players seemed to like that JAGEX was directly asking about these features and seemed to be open to actually removing some of the less "player-desirable" microtransactions.

While JAGEX isn't showing the actual survey results themselves, the team is going to be creating a "Community Consultation Group" to further discuss monetization in the MMO. Nothing is being promised, of course, and the process for change (if any is made) will certainly take time.

JAGEX wants to use the group to get a better baseline of where their players are, how different types of players view certain microtransactions, and determine what makes both player-sense and business-sense.

Mod Pips, JAGEX CEO, says, "I want to be straight with you that this is not a quick or simple path. Our community is large and diverse, meaning we have a range of different views, and any change can impact different players in different ways. We need to consider those who do find value in what's currently offered and understand how it may affect their willingness to play the game, especially given many of these offerings have been in the game almost as long as they haven't now. We need to understand what value we offer that is positive, and how we could explore options that build on that in a way that feels right to most players."

This path would explore the possibility of removing features like Treasure Hunter if they could be "made up" on the cash front somewhere else, like a more expensive subscription, for example.

On the business side, "Critically, for the long-term prospects of the game, decisions we make have a business reality to them, too. We must ensure we are making considered changes that keep RuneScape development financially healthy," the post reads.

How this group will be formed and what it will do isn't known yet. The team expects to explain further in about a month.