Jagex launched a new type of Double XP Weekend (DXP) in RuneScape this month, stripping away many of the microtransaction-based items typically used during the event. Items such as proteans, portables, and Treasure Hunter boosts were disabled as part of an ongoing experiment aimed at reducing the game’s reliance on monetization.
While the decision was intended to reshape the community’s approach to training and restore a sense of balance, the result has been less than ideal. Traditionally, DXP weekends are bustling with activity as players gather at hotspots like Lumbridge, Prifddinas, or popular skilling areas, sharing the experience of mass training. This time, however, the servers have appeared unusually quiet.
A Different Atmosphere
Players entering the event noted a distinct change in atmosphere. Without the stockpiled MTX items, many found less incentive to log in. One frustrated player described it as a “Double XP shambles,” pointing to the absence of dummies, proteans, and the DXP store.
At the same time, some players welcomed the restrictions, praising the more “organic” feel. Reports surfaced of groups gathering around self-made bonfires to train firemaking or running agility courses together, echoing older RuneScape traditions before MTX heavily influenced the game.
Technical Issues Add to Frustration
Beyond the shift in gameplay, technical problems added to the controversy. Even when not using MTX items, players reported receiving warning messages such as “Protean items are currently disabled,” creating unnecessary interruptions during training.
A Step Toward Change or a Misstep?
Jagex has framed this altered DXP as part of a broader MTX experiment, following earlier moves such as disabling Treasure Hunter for a trial period. The company has acknowledged in recent statements that years of aggressive monetization have harmed RuneScape and is now testing alternatives to regain player trust.
Yet, the mixed reception highlights a challenge. For many, DXP without MTX feels empty and stripped of its communal energy. For others, it is a welcome return to skill-based progression. Whether this experiment becomes a permanent model or simply a one-off test remains to be seen, but the current event suggests that RuneScape’s community is divided on what the future of DXP should look like.
