Last month saw RuneScape earn itself an eyebrow raise when developer Jagex asked players a variety of questions about the MMORPG’s microtransactions, particularly since some of the questions asked about whether players would like to see its lockboxes removed. Since then, players have received an address from Mod Pips about the survey, which doesn’t really provide answers but does confirm Jagex is going to keep up its fact-finding via a community consultation on the subject.
“In essence, we are willing to explore meaningful changes to the MTX offerings in RuneScape,” Mod Pips explains. “By working with players in a Community Consultation, we get to better understand more about what the issues are and why, and to explore new ideas and potential alternatives – balanced with ensuring we’re responsibly meeting the financial needs of the game. This isn’t a ‘yay/nay’ approach, but a process influenced by feedback.”
The post does further address the lockbox-shaped elephant in the room, saying that while Treasure Hunter could possibly be removed, Jagex would also need to “explore what alternative offerings could counter-balance the impact of that decision.”
As for how this community consultation will actually work, players can expect details sometime in September. “[T]his is a challenge we are ready for and we’re excited to work with players to explore the possibilities,” Pips concludes.
For now, fans can busy themselves with a table of item drop rates for the recently introduced activities of Sanctum of Rebirth, Osseous, and Daemonheim Archaeology. Players should note that future details should arrive about a month after an update is made and certain item drop rates won’t be shared at all.
