RuneScape is having its Old School moment. Jagex launched a historic community vote on October 28, 2025, asking players to decide whether Treasure Hunter, the game’s controversial microtransaction system, should be permanently removed from the classic MMO. If 100,000 players vote yes before November 11th, Treasure Hunter disappears forever along with 225 direct XP and skilling items that have undermined the game’s integrity since these systems launched over a decade ago.
The Poll That Changes Everything
This isn’t your typical corporate survey with multiple choice questions and carefully hedged language. Jagex created a simple yes or no proposition presented through a Vote Yes Now button that couldn’t be more clear about what the company wants. There’s no option to vote against removal. Players either click yes to support eliminating Treasure Hunter or abstain entirely. The rigged setup mirrors the 2013 poll that birthed Old School RuneScape, and players are absolutely thrilled about it.
The voting period runs until November 11th at 11:59pm GMT, giving the community two weeks to reach the 100,000 vote threshold. Any votes beyond that number signal the community’s passion for these changes and prompt Jagex to increase investment in their year-long integrity roadmap. If the vote fails to reach 100,000, RuneScape continues as is while Jagex evaluates next steps.
Within just four hours of launching, the poll already crossed 50,000 votes, blowing past the halfway mark at incredible speed. IGN reported that for context, RuneScape has seen over 320 million accounts created across its lifetime, though active player counts tell a very different story. Old School RuneScape recently surpassed 240,000 concurrent players, suggesting a healthy engaged playerbase eager to shape the game’s future.
What Gets Removed If Vote Succeeds
- Complete removal of Treasure Hunter system entirely
- No more paid keys, free daily keys, quest keys, or daily challenge keys
- 225 direct XP and skilling items removed from sale
- XP Lamps, Proteans, Portables, Dummies all eliminated
- Only Bonus XP with skill caps and cosmetics remain purchasable
- Year-long integrity roadmap addressing UI, dailyscape, auras
- New cosmetic toggle options for better visual control
The Treasure Hunter Problem
Treasure Hunter launched in 2014 as a replacement for Squeal of Fortune, which itself debuted in 2012 as RuneScape’s first major monetization push beyond membership subscriptions. The system functioned as a daily lottery where players used keys to open chests containing various rewards ranging from cosmetics to direct experience lamps that bypassed actual gameplay.
The controversy centered on how Treasure Hunter undermined core RuneScape principles. Skills that took months or years to level through legitimate gameplay could be purchased with real money through XP lamps and other items. Players complained this created pay-to-win dynamics where wealth determined progression rather than time investment and skill mastery. The system eroded what Jagex CEO John Bellamy called the integrity at the heart of RuneScape.
PC Gamer noted that while Treasure Hunter helped fund ongoing development, it did so at significant cost to something far greater – the integrity of RuneScape’s worlds. Players could bypass core gameplay, skipping depth, challenge, and discovery that make RuneScape special. This vote represents Jagex’s attempt to correct that mistake and design experiences built to last rather than optimized for short-term monetization.
Gamespot characterized Treasure Hunter as an openly resented pay-to-win feature that diminishes the experience for players who don’t utilize it. The daily system created pressure to log in and claim free keys even when players didn’t feel like actually playing, contributing to burnout and resentment. Removing it eliminates not just paid advantages but the psychological manipulation inherent in daily login rewards.
| System | Launch Year | Primary Criticism | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Squeal of Fortune | 2012 | Gambling mechanics, real money lottery | Replaced 2014 |
| Treasure Hunter | 2014 | Pay-to-win XP, bypasses gameplay | Pending removal vote |
| Bonus XP | Ongoing | Less controversial, skill-capped | Remains if vote succeeds |
| Cosmetics | Ongoing | Visual clutter concerns | Remains with better toggles |
Community Reaction Overwhelmingly Positive
The RuneScape subreddit erupted with celebration once Jagex announced the vote. The top comment on the official mod post simply stated Holy based, followed by I can’t believe I lived to see this and hundreds of similar expressions of joy. The positivity proved overwhelming, with skepticism about reaching 100,000 votes quickly replaced by confidence once the poll crossed 50,000 in just four hours.
Even Old School RuneScape players, who play a version of the game without Treasure Hunter, expressed support for the mainline game’s potential removal. The OSRS community actively encouraged their main game counterparts to vote, viewing this as a principled stand against predatory monetization across the entire franchise. This cross-community solidarity demonstrates how deeply players care about RuneScape’s integrity regardless of which version they prefer.
IGN coverage highlighted how rigged the poll appears with its giant green Vote Yes Now buttons plastered across the page. The language suggests players who vote yes want to see an integrity-led RuneScape powered by your own accomplishments rather than purchased advantages. Despite the clearly biased presentation, players celebrate rather than criticize because they desperately want exactly what Jagex is proposing.
Some players questioned whether Jagex would honor the vote or find excuses to backtrack if implementation proves financially challenging. Years of broken promises and botched updates bred understandable skepticism about whether the company truly commits to massive monetization changes that reduce revenue. However, the specific 100,000 vote requirement and public nature of the poll make backing out politically difficult once the threshold passes.
What Replaces Treasure Hunter
Removing Treasure Hunter doesn’t mean RuneScape becomes purely subscription-based. Jagex plans to retain two categories of purchasable items if the vote succeeds. Bonus XP remains available but with stricter caps on how much can be stored per skill, encouraging players to actually engage with gameplay rather than stockpiling purchased experience for instant level-ups.
Cosmetic items also continue selling, though Jagex promises more grounded, lore-friendly visual designs going forward. Past cosmetics often featured outlandish particle effects and fantasy armor that clashed with RuneScape’s established aesthetic. The new approach emphasizes cosmetics that fit naturally within Gielinor rather than standing out as obvious cash shop items.
The year-long integrity roadmap addresses systemic issues beyond just Treasure Hunter. User interface improvements, visual cohesion across the game world, controversial aura mechanics, and the dreaded dailyscape systems all receive attention. New cosmetic toggles let players control how other players’ purchased items appear on their screens, addressing longstanding complaints about visual clutter from excessive cosmetic spam.
This comprehensive approach suggests Jagex understands that removing Treasure Hunter alone won’t fix everything wrong with RuneScape’s monetization and design. The integrity problems run deeper than one system, requiring sustained effort to rebuild player trust and create game experiences that respect time investment rather than wallet size.
The Old School Parallel
Jagex explicitly compared this vote to the 2013 poll that created Old School RuneScape. That community vote asked if players wanted servers running the 2007 version of the game before controversial updates alienated the playerbase. The poll passed overwhelmingly, birthing what became the more popular version of RuneScape that now surpasses the main game in concurrent players.
This parallel isn’t accidental. Jagex wants players to view Treasure Hunter removal as an era-defining shift comparable to Old School’s creation. The company is explicitly acknowledging that monetization decisions over the past decade damaged RuneScape similarly to how gameplay changes drove players away in 2013. Removing Treasure Hunter represents the same kind of back-to-basics reset that saved the franchise once before.
The difference is Old School RuneScape launched as a separate version rather than changing the main game. This vote proposes fundamentally altering how current RuneScape operates, affecting everyone regardless of preference. Players who enjoyed Treasure Hunter or relied on purchased XP for time-poor gameplay now face losing those options if the community votes for removal.
However, polling data Jagex shared earlier indicated even time-poor players recognized Treasure Hunter’s negative impact on game integrity. The convenience of purchasing progress didn’t justify the damage to overall game health and community cohesion. That data likely gave Jagex confidence to propose complete removal rather than half-measures that would satisfy nobody.
CEO Takes Responsibility
Jagex CEO John Bellamy’s statement accompanying the vote acknowledges corporate responsibility for RuneScape’s monetization problems. Since Squeal of Fortune was introduced in 2012, and subsequently Treasure Hunter in 2014, our approach to monetisation has, over time, eroded some of the integrity at the heart of RuneScape, Bellamy admitted publicly.
The most concerning elements of our MTX systems have been those that allowed players to bypass core gameplay, skipping over the depth, challenge, and sense of discovery that make RuneScape truly special, he continued. While these systems have helped fund the game, they’ve done so at a cost to something far greater: the integrity of our worlds. This vote is about correcting that.
In a video message, Bellamy stated the deleterious impact of RuneScape’s MTX system is something we must correct. This level of direct acknowledgment from leadership rarely happens in gaming industry where executives typically defend monetization decisions regardless of player complaints. Bellamy’s willingness to admit mistakes and propose drastic solutions suggests genuine commitment to change rather than PR damage control.
The transparency extends to acknowledging that Treasure Hunter funding enabled continued development but ultimately wasn’t worth the cost. This admission validates years of player criticism while showing Jagex believes the game can sustain itself through subscriptions and limited cosmetic sales without needing pay-to-win mechanics that drive away passionate players.
Financial Implications Unknown
The elephant in the room is whether Jagex can afford losing Treasure Hunter revenue. The company hasn’t disclosed what percentage of total income comes from the system, but it’s substantial enough that removing it represents major financial risk. Mobile game conventions suggest whales who spend heavily on microtransactions often fund entire game operations, meaning a small minority of players might account for disproportionate revenue.
However, Jagex appears confident that recovering player trust and attracting lapsed subscribers will offset lost Treasure Hunter income. The Old School RuneScape model demonstrates that games can thrive on subscription revenue without predatory monetization if the core experience justifies the monthly fee. Main game RuneScape adopting similar principles could stabilize revenue through larger active playerbases rather than squeezing existing players harder.
The gaming industry increasingly questions sustainability of aggressive microtransaction models as player pushback intensifies. Governments worldwide scrutinize loot boxes and similar mechanics as potential gambling targeting minors. Proactively removing controversial systems before regulation forces their hand positions Jagex ahead of likely legislative changes while generating positive PR from willing reform.
What Happens November 12th
Regardless of whether the vote reaches 100,000 by November 11th, Jagex will announce next steps on November 12th. If the threshold passes, expect detailed implementation timelines explaining when Treasure Hunter shuts down, how existing keys and items are handled, and what the year-long integrity roadmap includes specifically.
If the vote fails to reach 100,000, the situation becomes complicated. Does Jagex abandon Treasure Hunter removal entirely? Revise the proposal and poll again with different terms? The company stated RuneScape continues as is while they evaluate next steps, suggesting flexibility about future approaches if the community doesn’t embrace this specific proposal.
Given the poll reached 50,000 votes in four hours, failure seems unlikely barring massive drop-off in participation. At that pace, 100,000 votes arrive within 8 hours, let alone 14 days. The real question becomes how high the total climbs and what that signals about community passion for integrity-focused RuneScape.
FAQs
When does the RuneScape Treasure Hunter vote end?
The vote closes November 11, 2025 at 11:59pm GMT. Jagex will announce results and next steps on November 12th regardless of whether the 100,000 vote threshold passes.
How many votes are needed to remove Treasure Hunter?
The poll requires 100,000 yes votes minimum to trigger Treasure Hunter removal. Any votes beyond that threshold signal community passion and prompt increased Jagex investment in the integrity roadmap.
Can I vote no to keep Treasure Hunter?
No, the poll only offers a Vote Yes Now option. Players who disagree with removal simply abstain from voting rather than casting no ballots.
What is Treasure Hunter in RuneScape?
Treasure Hunter is RuneScape’s microtransaction system launched in 2014, allowing players to purchase keys that open chests containing XP lamps, skilling items, and other rewards that bypass normal gameplay progression.
Will cosmetics be removed from RuneScape?
No, cosmetic items remain purchasable if Treasure Hunter is removed. However, Jagex promises more lore-friendly designs and better toggle options to control how cosmetics display.
What happens to existing Treasure Hunter keys?
Jagex hasn’t detailed how existing keys and items will be handled if removal passes. Expect clarity on November 12th when implementation plans are announced.
Is this like the Old School RuneScape poll?
Yes, Jagex explicitly modeled this vote on the 2013 poll that created Old School RuneScape. The company views Treasure Hunter removal as an era-defining shift comparable to that moment.
Conclusion
The RuneScape Treasure Hunter vote represents one of gaming’s most extraordinary moments where a major studio admits monetization mistakes and asks players to decide whether controversial systems should disappear forever. Jagex CEO John Bellamy’s frank acknowledgment that Treasure Hunter eroded game integrity while bypassing core gameplay experiences validates years of passionate player criticism about pay-to-win mechanics undermining what made RuneScape special. The rigged poll with its giant green Vote Yes Now buttons couldn’t be more obvious about what the company wants, yet players celebrate rather than criticize because they desperately want exactly the same outcome. Within four hours of launching, the poll crossed 50,000 votes racing toward the 100,000 threshold needed to permanently eliminate Treasure Hunter along with 225 XP and skilling items that have plagued the MMO since 2014. Whether Jagex can afford losing that revenue stream remains uncertain, but the company appears confident that recovering player trust and attracting lapsed subscribers will offset Treasure Hunter income through larger active playerbases paying monthly subscriptions for integrity-focused gameplay. The Old School RuneScape success story demonstrates this model can work if execution matches ambition, and mainline RuneScape finally gets its chance to learn from that example. When results arrive November 12th, RuneScape either enters a new era where achievements reflect merit rather than wallet size, or continues muddling through with monetization systems that erode community trust and drive passionate players away. Either way, this vote marks the moment Jagex stopped defending indefensible microtransactions and started listening to what the community has been screaming for over a decade – a RuneScape where your accomplishments actually mean something.