RuneScape Players Riot Over Controversial Membership Survey

Image Credit: Jagex

It’s been a week for the books in RuneScape history. Jagex, the developer behind the iconic MMO, managed to upset just about everyone with a new membership survey. The survey, sent to players of both RuneScape 3 (RS3) and Old School RuneScape (OSRS), asked players to weigh in on potential changes to the membership model. Instead of feedback, Jagex got protests, outrage, and, of course, Falador Park riots.

What Happened?

Jagex sent out a survey to gauge interest in different membership options. Sounds harmless, right? Wrong. The survey included options that sent players into a frenzy, such as:

  • In-game ads for paying members. (Yes, really.)

  • A shorter AFK timer.

  • Forcing players to choose between RuneScape 3 and OSRS for membership access, rather than having both included.

While Jagex claimed it was just "market research," players weren’t buying it. To them, the survey felt like a sneak peek at potential changes they didn’t want to see.

The Backlash

The community’s response was swift and brutal. If there’s one thing RuneScape players know how to do, it’s riot in style. Falador Park quickly became the epicenter of protests, with players gathering en masse to demand Jagex scrap these ideas entirely.

Adding fuel to the fire, Jagex’s CEO admitted they messed up. In separate statements for each game, they described the survey as "clumsy and inconsiderate." They reassured players that "in-game ads will not be part of regular paid membership" and promised to think twice before sending out another tone-deaf survey.

Why Are Players So Mad?

Jagex isn’t new to controversy. Over the years, they’ve introduced plenty of updates that upset players, from removing free trade and PvP combat in the Wilderness to adding heavy microtransactions. While some of these changes were rolled back after player protests, others—like the Evolution of Combat—are still divisive today.

In this case, the idea of ads in a game you’re already paying for was enough to unite RuneScape 3 and OSRS players in shared outrage. For many, the survey felt like Jagex testing the waters for changes that could permanently damage the game’s core experience.

Falador Park Riots: A Classic Protest Move

Protests in Falador Park are a long-standing tradition in RuneScape. Whenever Jagex makes a controversial move, players gather in-game to voice their frustrations. These riots often work, as Jagex has been known to reverse decisions after enough backlash.

The takeaway? RuneScape might change a lot over the years, but the dedication (and stubbornness) of its players is eternal.

Final Blurb

Jagex might have dodged a bullet by walking back on some of the survey’s ideas, but the damage is done. Players are still wary, and the uproar has left many wondering what’s next for the game.

If there’s one thing we’ve learned from this saga, it’s that RuneScape players don’t take nonsense lying down. And if Jagex thought they could casually float the idea of in-game ads for paying members, well… they should’ve known better.


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