Jagex has announced a major shake-up in RuneScape’s monetization model, with controversial changes set to begin in July. In what the developers are calling “experiments,” Treasure Hunter will be disabled, and replaced with directly purchasable XP bundles, sparking a wave of concern across the community.
Daily XP Bundles Replace Treasure Hunter
The new system will allow players to buy daily packs containing Stars and Knowledge Bombs — items that directly boost experience gain. These bundles will be limited to one per day, but the impact is already being felt. For many, this change crosses a line that RuneScape has historically tried to tiptoe around: a fully transparent pay-for-power system.
While Treasure Hunter was criticized for its RNG-driven microtransactions, it still offered players free keys through quests and daily activities. By removing it entirely and replacing it with real-money purchases, players lose that access — unless they’re willing to pay.
Community Reactions Signal Alarm
Players are voicing their frustration across forums and social media. Many feel that locking XP bonuses behind a paywall each day introduces formalized pay-to-win mechanics, especially for skillers and Ironman players who pride themselves on progression through effort.
Even with a cap of one bundle per day, the concern is that this sets a precedent. Once normalized, there’s nothing preventing the cap from being raised or new monetization systems being layered on top.
“Experiment” or Permanent Shift?
The update is being rolled out as an “experiment,” with Jagex stating these changes will occur gradually over the next three months. However, the community isn’t convinced that the word “experiment” means reversible. For many, it feels like a testbed to gauge backlash before further implementation.
A Slippery Slope?
RuneScape has long faced criticism for monetization tactics, but the removal of Treasure Hunter was something many players had hoped for — assuming it would lead to a less intrusive game environment. Instead, the replacement seems more blatant: less gambling, more straightforward purchase-for-progress design.
This change could have lasting effects on player trust, particularly if future experiments continue down a similar path.
