
Yesterday we reported on a conjoint survey being sent out by Jagex to players of RuneScape and Old School RuneScape with a stated intention of “[exploring] how players value different membership features and combinations.” Those surveys did indeed get sent out, and the suggested changes within them have caused players to go completely apoplectic.
Several players shared the survey they received, but one of the most complete was posted on Reddit, with videos and screengrabs of what Jagex is considering. This includes several new tiers of subscription, some of which feature lower costs but apply some stringent limitations such as access to either RuneScape or OSRS as opposed to both like a subscription does now, the ability to play only on mobile devices, a shortened AFK timer, significantly fewer characters allowed per account, or in-game ads that display “in a non-gameplay intrusive manner.”
Higher tiers of membership would provide access to things like improved data access, extra security features, “enhanced player support,” or access to unique game worlds including those with higher population caps than are currently available, servers populated with players who have never received a ban, or player-customized Project Zanaris worlds. And we do mean higher: Proposed prices run upwards of $25 to $33 a month.
Player rancor was loud and immediate, with in-game rioting, threats of quitting, or in many cases cancelled subscriptions, and naturally plenty of memes that warn of a mobile game-like hellscape of ads.
On both the OSRS and RuneScape sites, Jagex put out a copied statement that attempted to explain the conjoint survey methodology, point out that proposed changes are not final, and claim that “exploring uncomfortable topics” is part of “great community management” and data gathering.
“The options presented in the survey are generated using a method called conjoint analysis, where combinations of features and prices are shown randomly. This is designed to test what players value most and least, and naturally, some options won’t make sense or appeal to everyone.
“Just because an option appears in the survey does not mean we are planning to implement it. Similarly, the price associated with that set of features is not representative – these are purposefully generated at random as part of the conjoint analysis.”
The post also tried to assuage concerns about the direction of subscriber benefits: It concedes that having access to “robust customer support” for higher-paying members was a bad idea, confirms that there are no plans to introduce in-game ads, and states that the studio will consider how valuable access to both MMORPGs in one subscription is to players. “We understand that, even if you primarily play one game having access to both may hold value. We’re carefully considering how this feedback fits into any potential changes,” Jagex writes.
Even so, player reaction continues to be furious as fans caution each other to read between the lines, presume that some of the worst options will come to fruition regardless, and accuse Jagex of focusing primarily on feedback from OSRS players.
“The Conjoint Membership Survey has caused the community frustration, anger, and concern – we made major mistakes with this and are truly sorry. We’ve heard your feedback loud and clear. The way we approached this survey was clumsy and inconsiderate, to say the least. We failed to think this through from your perspective as players. We got caught up in research mode and rushing a project with a research partner. What was intended as a rigorous methodology for exploring an unfiltered range of ideas, you saw as alarming possibilities that appeared to threaten the integrity of the game you love. It contained ideas for consideration that, in the cold light of day, just shouldn’t have been in there. We should have paused to consider this properly and avoided the unnecessary worry and anger this has caused.”
Mansell also confirmed that the studio will not put in-game ads or AFK timers in regular paid memberships (and is merely considering them for F2P memberships) and that the company will continue to improve rather than degrade support systems. “We will never degrade or fundamentally change the gameplay experience on offer between subscribers,” he vows.