And you thought Dungeoneering leeches were forged .
As a long - term player who began act during RuneScape Classic and has continue throughout the years , there have been many incidents that I have experienced in my clock time . From plot - break bugs such as the Falador Massacre , the removal of Free Trade and the Wilderness , to the most distressing but equally as important , like the obtuse decay of RuneScape due to the implementation of microtransactions ( MTX ) . It is rather upsetting to see a game with this sort of history retaining such a loyal player base , despite there being arguably better games in the genre . But , for how much longsighted ?
For those fortunate enough to stay unfamiliar , Hero Pass released September 4 , 2023 , and was one of the most repulsive MTX - riddle , FOMO - seeking update that had been released in some metre . RuneScape players at this stage of their lives are used to playing a secret plan that is chock full of MTX that go far beyond ornamental items and into the realm of salary - to - win mechanics . Jagex stated that Hero Pass would be unlike the above , but rather would be a arrangement that would not induct the feeling of FOMO and would be accessible and able-bodied to be complete by the average instrumentalist . It was not .
What players have alternatively was an intrusive , pestiferous organization that was inescapable . No matter what you did in - game , Hero Pass would pop its frightful head up . Premier player received far greater benefits than regular compensate members , and the sheer amount of meter demand to complete the Hero Pass itself was considerably out of reach for the average role player . Many players forthwith went to complain online as it felt like nothing more than an insulting John Cash grab .
The backlash to Hero Pass has been unprecedented . Players glut all societal media platforms en masse to rightfully sound off , recollective - condition player quit , withmany notable role player moving to Old School RuneScapeinstead , made more obvious by the low coincident player cliff . This made it impossible to brush off and eventually , the elusive Mod Keeper made astatementon the outcome .
Since then , Hero Pass has been altered considerably , and it is far less intrusive and FOMO - quest than it was at the initial launch . Most importantly , Daily Challenges will soon be returning . However , Jagex has stated that theHero Pass consultationprocess is going to take six farsighted hebdomad . That ’s quite an extended period of time . It also makes it clear that they have no design of removing Hero Pass from RuneScape . So , take that as you will , as it is a clear reading of their overall priorities . One can hope that seeing this backlash have in mind that Jagex may take a dissimilar route going forward , or even countenance for more transparency going forwards . Especially in respect to the monetization strategy . If there even is a strategy beyond bleeding the secret plan wry .
Screenshot by Prima Games
The above scuttlebutt from the RuneScape subreddit is one in which the consensus is deal within the greater RuneScape community . The consultation process is clearly superficial at proficient , almost like position a band - economic aid on a gaping wound and hoping for a fix . Over time , RuneScape has been slowly transmute from a plentiful world that stands on its own , to amicrotransaction - fill up hellscape . Imagine if Catelyn Stark emptied her pocket to buy enough XP to pull round the Red Wedding . For many player , it ’s too little , too later .
How long can one call RuneScape the main version of the game when Old School RuneScape has more active players ? What does it say about RuneScape when the majority of players are playing an Old adaptation of the game ? Sure , there are plenty of people who prefer the challenge of yesteryear , but take a secret plan that has a solid player - focused squad behind it and is n’t riddle with MTX makes a huge conflict .
Every time there ’s a significant content update for OSRS , the players are informed and multiple canvass are run every single step of the way to verify that this is something that the community wants . This is incredibly open with the upcoming OSRS skill , Sailing . On the other helping hand , RuneScape lacks tremendously in this area . It appears as if the only goal of Jagex is to shove as many MTX element into the game as possible before players have had enough . And when that happen , as in right now , they then discuss it with the community of interests and act as if they are sour for the advance of the player , as opposed to just change it enough that the pushback ends , and the status quo is resumed . In the end , there is no incertitude that we will have a Hero Pass that is good , but if you polled the community in advance , it more than potential would n’t have been implemented at all .
Screenshot by Prima Games
All Hero Pass has done is further divide an already fracture community of musician . This is clearly evidenced by players quitting for proficient or moving to OSRS . This is inauspicious as RuneScape desperately need the players . Oftentimes , it feels empty . Sometimes you could toy without discover another thespian at all , and even if you did , there ’s a skillful fortune that they have public gossip off and would n’t even discover you . It is a deplorable the true that in 2023 , RuneScape does n’t bring anything to the table that other games do n’t already . It ’s riding heavily on nostalgia . Most players at this percentage point have been playing for years , and if you suffer them , you mislay it all . So , why chance it ? If you love and value the biz , would n’t you be working on amend and sustain it ? It seems all Jagex desire to do is easy burn it to the land . You recollect Dungeoneering leeches were bad ? That ’s exactly what Jagex is doing with microtransactions and the players .
It ’s not something that I am ready to bear . This game has always meant a mickle to me . I personally have such fond memories of my get-go with the biz . I can distinctly call back my cousin introducing me to it and leading me from Varrock to Lumbridge . It felt like a journeying back then . I remember waiting for my turn to talk to a Banker . As well as spending hours killing chickens for the feathers . Of naturally , I ’ve also see many enjoyable moments since then as it ’s been a rich and fulfilling journey . But it ’s not just about me , as many multitude have played it in their prison term . When you drive the MTX meaninglessness away , it is an implausibly racy and enjoyable experience .
But where do we go from here ? Jagex has shown us time and clip again that the RuneScape communities ’ sole purpose is to draw their pockets . This Hero Pass controversy has lasted all month and will be lasting at least another . This time has been need away from actual game updates . It ’s such a dashing hopes . I make love RuneScape , but I ’ll be lose in Final Fantasy XIV for the clip being .
Screenshot by Prima Games
Screenshot by Prima Games
