‘Clumsy and Inconsiderate’: Jagex CEO Gives Update on Recent RuneScape Membership Scandal

This week, I discussed the potential adjustments Jagex is planning for RuneScape‘s subscription model. On social media, images from a survey conducted by Jagex were posted, showing various membership plans that players were asked to rate, with some options being quite daring.

On the popular gaming platform RuneScape, Jagex’s CEO, known as Mod Pips, openly explained the necessity for these changes in a recent post. This candid approach by the company has been met with approval from players, yet it’s far from flawless.

‘It Was a Major Misjudgement’

In the post on the RuneScape blog, Mod Pips opened by explaining:

To put it simply, our actions were thoughtless and unsuitable for you as players. In our eagerness to delve deeper into our research and meet deadlines with our collaborator, we overlooked your point of view.

The ‘investigative poll’ ignited enthusiasm within the community, as certain suggested membership levels would restrict access to features such as improved account safety and advanced player assistance. Some users might even purchase a RuneScape membership but still encounter advertisements within the game.

Pips went deeper:

As a gamer, I’d say it was a significant oversight to incorporate elements that even hinted at compromising the gaming experience or affecting gameplay. Suggestions like in-game advertisements, shorter AFK (Away From Keyboard) periods, or charging extra for enhanced player support felt like they were eroding the trust you’ve built with us.

Going forward, the Jagex team has pledged:

  • To not include in-game advertisements in any regular paid membership
  • To ensure that any subscription ‘provides access to the full suite of core game content’
  • To not make plugins or features on the official client ‘paid options’
  • To not paywall player support

The blog post was ended with a final statement from Mod Pips:

At the core of what sets our games apart is openness and teamwork. The gaming experience is molded by its community, and your opinions are crucial in every choice we make. Although errors have occurred, the forceful and unambiguous feedback we’ve received underscores the depth of your dedication to this game.

In a more conversational style, here’s how we could put it: The reason Old School RuneScape remains vibrant is due to its strong community. By collaborating closely with you, we can continue making progress, even during challenging conversations.

Although the post has managed to please the community to some extent, it’s evident that there’s still a lot of ground to cover, and modifications are on the horizon, regardless of whether players are prepared for them or not.

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2025-01-18 09:47