Tag: Runescape

  • Runescape Players Unite Against Microtransactions in Gielinor

    Runescape Players Unite Against Microtransactions in Gielinor

    Key Takeaways

    1. Jagex is allowing players to vote on the future of the Treasure Hunter microtransaction system in RuneScape after significant player criticism.

    2. If the vote reaches 100,000 participants, Jagex plans to completely remove the Treasure Hunter system, including all associated keys.

    3. A “Year-Long Integrity Roadmap” will be introduced to address various game issues and improve player experience beyond just the removal of Treasure Hunter.

    4. Microtransactions will still exist in the form of purchasable “Bonus XP,” allowing players with limited time to progress more easily without affecting game balance.

    5. Cosmetic items will remain available, focusing on fitting the game’s theme and enhancing immersion, while flashy visual effects will be reduced.

    Runescape, a MMO that still holds a large player base, has long had a microtransaction shop called Treasure Hunter, which has faced a lot of criticism from players. Since it launched over ten years ago, many players have shared their negative views about this system, especially on social media. Finally, the developers at Jagex have taken notice of these complaints and are ready to take action. They’ve decided to let their players vote on the future of Treasure Hunter, which is a significant step.

    Voting Proposal for Players

    The developers published a clear post titled ‘Vote On The Future of Treasure Hunter, MTX & RuneScape’ to explain their proposal. It outlines what changes players can expect if the vote succeeds. The post says, “If we receive 100,000 votes or more, we’ll confirm our proposal as the future direction of the game!” They promised to eliminate the Treasure Hunter system entirely: “no more Paid Keys, Free Daily Keys, Quest Keys, or Daily Challenge Keys. It’s gone, forever,” the update mentioned.

    Future Plans for the Game

    In addition to this, they are also planning to introduce “A Year-Long Integrity Roadmap” which will tackle main issues impacting both the game and its players. The post elaborated on this, stating it would cover “from UI, to onboarding, to Dailyscape, revisiting the combat status quo and beyond.” This suggests that they are not only removing a system but are also revamping game features and mechanics to enhance player enjoyment.

    While microtransactions won’t disappear completely, players who have limited time for RuneScape can still buy “Bonus XP in the store as the only purchasable means to support progression.” This will help them catch up with other players who have more time to spend in the game.

    Cosmetic Changes Ahead

    Cosmetic items will still be available in the game; these are visual-only changes that won’t influence skill or progression. However, there will be a stronger emphasis on creating an art style that fits the game’s theme, moving away from flashy visual effects that disrupt the immersive experience.

    The voting period concludes on the 12th of November. Even though they reached the 100k vote threshold sooner than expected, the developers will still share detailed ‘patch notes’ at the end of the voting period. Although changes won’t happen overnight, players can anticipate that work will commence soon and be rolled out in batches to users globally.

    It’s still unclear whether this community-driven strategy for determining the game’s future and monetization will be profitable, but it’s certainly sparked new interest and goodwill. This could potentially offer valuable lessons to other companies aiming to revitalize their player communities or refresh their in-game stores.

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  • Arrowhead CEO aims for Helldivers 2 to be a forever game like RuneScape

    Arrowhead CEO aims for Helldivers 2 to be a forever game like RuneScape

    Key Takeaways

    1. No plans for Helldivers 3; focus remains on improving Helldivers 2.
    2. The CEO likens their vision for Helldivers 2 to the long-term evolution of RuneScape.
    3. The team aims for Helldivers 2 to be a “forever game,” enhancing it over time.
    4. Ongoing performance issues, particularly on PC, are being addressed with updates.
    5. The development team is committed to the game’s long-term growth and sustainability.

    If you’re a devoted Helldivers 2 player hoping for a follow-up, it seems you might be in for a long wait. The CEO of Arrowhead has disclosed that there are currently no plans for a sequel, as their main attention is directed towards enhancing the existing game.

    No Sequel in Sight

    A player inquired on the official Discord server of the game about whether Helldivers 3 would be a logical next step following Helldivers 2. Shams Jorjani, the CEO of Arrowhead Game Studios, responded by stating that the team is not considering a sequel at this time. His focus remains solely on Helldivers 2, and he likened his vision for the game to that of RuneScape, a well-established MMO that has continued to evolve over the years.

    Jorjani mentioned, “we have no plans for hd3 – just hd2 for as long as it can go. think runescape.”

    Aiming for Longevity

    He elaborated that both he and the directors aspire for Helldivers 2 to become a “forever game,” which means they prefer to enhance it over time instead of diverting their attention to a sequel. Nonetheless, Jorjani acknowledged that there’s still quite a bit of work ahead if they wish to realize their ambitions.

    “Myself and the directors agree we would love this to be a forever game.” He added, “Assuming we get a grip on the performance and dev practices we can keep expanding it for a long time. PlayStation is super supportive.”

    Ongoing Challenges

    Since the launch of the game, players have voiced concerns about performance problems, particularly on PC. Although the developers have rolled out multiple updates to address these issues, the game still has room for improvement. Nevertheless, it’s encouraging to see that the Helldivers 2 team is dedicated to its ongoing development and aims to sustain it for many years to come.

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  • Jagex Unveils New Survival Game in the RuneScape Universe

    Jagex Unveils New Survival Game in the RuneScape Universe

    Key Takeaways

    1. Dragonwilds is a new open-world survival game set in the Runescape universe, focusing on base building and familiar skills like cooking and mining.
    2. Unlike Runescape, Dragonwilds will be a co-op game for up to four players, emphasizing skill leveling and a rewarding progression system.
    3. A new team of industry experts is developing Dragonwilds to ensure it feels authentic to the Runescape universe and appeals to both fans and new players.
    4. Players will aim to defeat the Dragon Queen by gathering resources, building structures, and enhancing their skills in the newly introduced region of Ashenfall.
    5. Jagex plans to use community feedback to shape game updates after its Early Access launch on Steam in the Spring.

    Jagex, the creator of the popular MMO Runescape, has revealed a new game called Dragonwilds. This game will be an open-world survival spin-off that takes place in the same universe. Players can look forward to encountering familiar monsters, engaging in skills like cooking and mining, as well as participating in survival elements like base building.

    A Different Kind of Game

    The developers clarified that Dragonwilds won’t be an MMO; instead, it will be a co-op game for four players. The game will focus on what made Runescape engaging—leveling up skills and having a rewarding progression system that values time and dedication.

    Team Behind the Game

    Jon Bellamy, the CEO of Jagex, shared with GamesRadar (through Yahoo Tech) that they have created “a brand new team comprised of industry experts” to ensure Dragonwilds feels like a natural part of the Runescape universe. The game is designed for both “our biggest fans and completely new players.”

    The Adventure Awaits

    The goal in Dragonwilds is to defeat the Dragon Queen. To achieve this, players will need to gather resources, build structures, and work on improving their skills to assist in their journey. The setting is Ashenfall, a fresh area in Gielinor, located on an unexplored continent enveloped by Anima.

    The game boasts two regions and up to five distinct biomes to discover, with the possibility of adding more after the launch during Early Access. While it’s not set in the exact same spot as Runescape, players can expect to find some recognizable landmarks and foes, albeit altered by Anima, which is a magical element within the Runescape world.

    Community Engagement

    Similar to Old-school Runescape (OSRS), Jagex has committed to a community-focused feedback system. This will help shape the game’s updates once it becomes available on Steam Early Access in the Spring.

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