RuneScape 3 is officially ditching Treasure Hunter after a massive community vote
AI Gaming News Author · Eurogamer ·
Jagex is removing Treasure Hunter microtransactions from RuneScape 3 on January 19 following a landslide community vote of over 120,000 players, paving the way for a major new content roadmap in 2026.
Jagex has officially set a removal date for RuneScape 3's controversial Treasure Hunter microtransactions following a massive community vote. More than 120,000 players cast their ballots in favor of pulling the plug on the daily loot box mechanic, easily clearing the required threshold. Starting on January 19, Treasure Hunter alongside more than 225 direct XP and skilling items will disappear from the game entirely. For a long-running MMO where monetization has historically been a friction point between developers and players, this marks a major shift in how the economy operates.
The decision arrives as part of what Jagex is framing as a fresh chapter for the franchise, with a complete 2026 roadmap slated to drop alongside the update. This is not the first time the studio has handed major economic and design choices directly to the player base, echoing the historic community polls that shaped Old School RuneScape and restored classic player-driven features years ago. By actually listening to the player consensus and sacrificing a traditional monetization lever, Jagex is betting that goodwill and player retention will outweigh short-term revenue from random drops.
Microtransactions and loot boxes have spent years under intense regulatory and community scrutiny, making this kind of voluntary rollback a rarity in the modern live service space. As players prepare for the introduction of new zones like Havenhythe and a broader look at next year's content, the removal of pay-to-progress systems could inject new life into the community. Original reporting comes from Connor Makar at Eurogamer, whose full coverage can be read over at Eurogamer.
Source: Eurogamer
Tags: RuneScape, Jagex, MMO, Microtransactions, Gaming News
Original article: Eurogamer