The Future of MTX: Our Approach & Your Involvement
It's time we take action on our approach to microtransactions in RuneScape.
We have lots going on behind the scenes to ensure RuneScape has decades of community growth ahead of it. While there's plenty we're working on, part of this must be addressing our approach to microtransactions in the game.
It's no secret that MTX in RuneScape currently represents a major part of how we fund the game. But we can't put our head in the sand and keep things going the way they are.
When we listen to the community or even look at stats from our MTX Survey last year, the story is so clear - we have lost players to the way we approach microtransactions. This is not how we secure our next 25 years and more.
- 42% of responders feel microtransactions currently detract from their experience
- Of those who buy microtransactions, 86% of them are unhappy with the mechanics of Treasure Hunter
- 60% of ex-players felt that microtransactions detracted from their experience of the game
- 63% of ex-players said they would be more likely to return if we address key concerns with XP-related MTX
So, we're going to change it. We will materially change the way microtransactions work in RuneScape and our ultimate ambition - and it is an ambition at this stage - is to entirely redesign the way we approach monetisation in RuneScape. We are willing to take risks, to trust in you to help us, and get rid of the taint of our current approach. This is one of many huge opportunities for RuneScape to grow and we're going to grab it with both hands!
This will be difficult, and it will take time. There's a lot involved in getting this right and doing it responsibly while making sure we sustain the game. But with your involvement, we know we can get it right and secure an exciting long term future for the game.
So on that note - let's dive into what we're planning to do, why, and how you can get involved.
Our Mission
We must find a better approach for what and how we offer additional purchases within RuneScape. To do this, we need a better understanding of the impact of potential changes through actions that can lead us to definitive decisions - and more importantly, definitive change.
In the next few weeks, we will begin to launch a series of in-game Experiments to test our thinking against some key criteria:
- The reception to these alternatives within the community
- Their expected contribution to the financial sustainability of the game.
In Game Experiments
Rather than talking about what we might do, we want to put it in practice by openly evaluating stuff within the game. We'll do this through new Experiments.
Experiments
Experiments are our way of getting tangible feedback and data on potential changes. Through these Experiments, we can learn what choices the community makes in a real world situation rather than designs on paper or through abstract questions in a survey.
Whether you choose to participate or simply look at it through the lens of ‘how do I feel about this’, it’s a chance for everyone to have a voice. We'll also be closely looking at data to see how these decisions influence player behaviour too.
These really are Experiments, which means some of these may be clear winners and some may have problems. This is about trying things, listening and learning.
Here’s what to expect from the Experiment Process:
- Announcement: A blog detailing the Experiment, its purpose and release timing
- Deployment: Experiment goes live in-game for 1-14 days
- Community Feedback: We'll absorb your feedback from across the community while the Experiment is live
- Removal: Experiment removed from game
Beginning in July, you can expect the following Experiments to pop up over the next three months:
- Disabling Treasure Hunter: We will turn off Treasure Hunter, instead offering bundles of Stars and Knowledge Bombs for direct purchase (capped at 1 bundle per day)
- DXP Event With Only Bonus XP Available: We will disable the use of Proteans, Dummies, Lamps and other skilling items available via MTX entirely in our Autumn DXP*
- Cosmetic Mega Drop: We will offer a large selection of past cosmetic overrides - including some previously only available via TH - for direct purchase all at once
We'll also have one more bonus Experiment based on feedback over the years: Cosmetic-Free Worlds. While we don't have an exact launch window for this yet, we expect to release no later than August and run them until the end of our Experiment window. This will help us gauge demand for a more grounded visual look and/or cosmetics free experiences.
*Note: Should we propose a final approach to MTX that excludes these items, we will allow sufficient notice for you to use anything you have stored up. This Experiment exclusively applies to our Autumn DXP at this time.
What Comes Next
These Experiments mark a three month road ahead of us. Over that time, we expect to gather enough insight to help us make big decisions on how we approach MTX going forward.
Depending on what we learn, this may be all we need to know. If we feel there's still things we need to test, we may need to try a few more Experiments in the following months. Either way, we'll be communicating clearly and openly a little while after these Experiments so you know exactly what to expect.
Commitments To You
We've had some false starts in our past when it comes to sharing an intention to remove or reduce monetisation, particularly with new offerings.
In acknowledgement of that, we have some firm commitments you can hold us to. Our intent with these commitments is to give you confidence that positively participating is leading us to something better.
What We Will Do
1. We will communicate context on our decisions
- We will communicate early and often, providing space for discussion and debate
2. We will consider all types of players and communities throughout our decision making
- We will consider every kind of player, spender and community space in feedback for our Experiment evaluations. We don’t expect to please everyone, but no one perspective trumps all others
3. We will use this opportunity to approach MTX in a way that is healthier for the game
- We hear your concerns about the existing impact of MTX offerings. Addressing this is a core part of our design approach to any solution.
What We Won’t Do
1. We will not use this opportunity to be more aggressive in offering XP benefits outside the core game loop
- We may explore optional offerings that serve those who are shorter on time in future, but not in a way that discourages gameplay
2. We will not make our final proposed changes without showing them to you first
- We will clearly communicate what we intend to do, when and why prior to any changes being implemented to allow for final feedback
3. We will not go silent on MTX at the end of this process
- The era of this being a taboo subject for us is over. We will continue to invite community feedback on how we approach MTX going forward.
Content Remains King
While there is a lot going on with this, it's important we're really clear on what this means for the core game. That's what matters most.
Everything you've heard about today has zero impact on our content development or Roadmaps. Absolutely zero. The team that currently works on microtransactions are the team working through this project and every Experiment. No developers or resources have been moved to this project from existing content and it will stay that way. The Roadmap is protected and remains our top priority, always.
We Need Your Support
Today is just the beginning of a journey and a lot of conversation ahead of us. We know a subject like this won't always be the easiest to talk about.
You are one of the most knowledgeable and considerate communities you could ask for in gaming. This is something we can figure out openly in ways other games could never even consider.
When stepping into the unknown, there’s always the chance some ideas might not work as is or feel right. Please do your best to provide us – and your fellow players – the space to approach this constructively. Clear, thoughtful critiques or validations will make all the difference to us truly learning from this and finding our path forward for the game.
Let's get this done together 'Scapers. 💪
A Final Word
As Mod North (Jagex CEO) talked about the importance of this project in his recent Q&A video, it only felt fitting that we leave the final words of this blog to him. Over to you, Mod North.
Hi Scapers,
Earlier this year, I talked about the importance of shoring up the next 25 years of RuneScape. This isn't just a nice fluffy statement - it's a company-wide mission. RS3's success should be measured by the size, engagement and satisfaction of this community. That change begins now.
We will rejuvenate RuneScape 3's future by putting community growth at the heart of our model for the game. Every player of this game deserves to feel the same ownership that we've fostered so well in our OSRS community, and that will lead us to the thriving community this game deserves.
We can only get there through a strong focus on integrity - from the way we monetize, to how the game looks and addressing the challenges with the broader player experience. Along with that needs to be a focus on delivering great Roadmaps packed with as much Grade A content as we can possibly deliver.
Addressing MTX is a first, big step of many to come. It's also our most challenging. MTX is currently a big part of this game's model and any serious overhaul of RS3 monetization will come at a cost - and that means some real risk. But we must be bold. Because frankly, not making changes in the interest in the integrity of RS3 also represents a real risk to the future of this beauty of a game too.
Today's Experiments speak to how seriously we are taking this goal. Gone is the age of speaking and debate on how we could do this - it's now about action. We'll move as quickly as we can to learn what we need to, and get us to those material changes we're promising as soon as we can.
Bear with us as we test, learn and understand the implications of setting up this new era for the game. Later this year, I look forward to us running you through our vision for the future with what we've learned.
See you in Gielinor - now, and for many, many years to come