RuneScape to Eliminate Treasure Hunter Following Overwhelming Community Support
In a significant move, Jagex has confirmed that the Treasure Hunter monetization mechanic will be phased out of RuneScape by January 19, 2026, following a community vote that saw over 120,000 members cast their ballots to abolish the feature. The decision comes after the British developer invited players to shape the future of the game's microtransactions, with the overwhelming majority opting to remove the Treasure Hunter daily activity. Introduced in 2014, Treasure Hunter allowed players to win rewards, including XP boosts and in-game gold, with users able to receive a limited number of free keys, while additional keys were available for purchase. The feature's removal will be accompanied by the elimination of 225 direct XP and skill-related items that disrupt core gameplay and the player economy. Jagex CEO Jon Bellamy has also announced the removal of 'appointment-based game mechanics' and 'daily login incentives' from the game. Bellamy emphasized that the removal of Treasure Hunter is part of a broader transformation aimed at delivering greater value, fairness, and long-term improvements for players. The move is seen as a renewed commitment to integrity, with the studio set to unveil an Integrity Roadmap that addresses key friction points and delivers a robust content roadmap for RuneScape.