RuneScape 3 Looks Set To End Treasure Hunter After Passing 100,000 Community Votes

Something revolutionary in the MMO genre is happening. RuneScape 3 is set to remove Treasure Hunter, the free-to-play MMORPG’s controversial microtransaction system. Jagex put the decision directly in the hands of the community, and the official in-game player vote has already passed the 100,000 vote threshold, ensuring that Treasure Hunter will be shut down for good.

Treasure Hunter originally launched in 2014 as a follow-up to the old Squeal of Fortune system. It let players earn or buy keys that could be used to unlock random prizes. Sometimes those prizes were cosmetics or collectibles, which is no big deal and not pay-to-win, but other times they were experience “lamps,” bonus experience items, or skilling supplies. All of these items allowed players shortcuts when it came to grinding. This was especially egregious because RuneScape is a game where progress takes time, and lots of it. People play for the journey and the eventual destination. Treasure Hunter allowed players to spend money to skip ahead. For many players, this not only fundamentally changed the game but also discouraged them from continuing.

With the vote passed, that means Treasure Hunter will be disabled. More than 200 related progression items will be removed from sale. There are over 200 different items connected to pay-to-win in varying levels. Experience boosts will still exist but will be capped. The in-game marketplace will shift to cosmetic items only.

Alongside the Treasure Hunter removal, Jagex announced an “integrity roadmap” to support the transition. This includes UI improvements, new player onboarding updates, balance passes for combat, and adjustments to daily tasks that many players feel have become repetitive or burdensome. These updates will roll out without delaying new content already planned for the game.

This is a huge shift. Jagex is willing to take a financial loss for the sake of a better game and happier players. This move represents a rare instance in the MMO genre where a developer has changed its business model, removing paid shortcuts to make RuneScape 3 fairer and more rewarding to play.

Player reactions have been strong. Within hours of the poll going live, tens of thousands of people logged in to cast their votes. Players who have not touched the game in years returned specifically to vote. Non-members were able to participate too, meaning the poll itself was not pay-to-win. Some players who spent money on Treasure Hunter expressed mixed feelings, but even among that group, there is a clear majority agreement that the game will become fairer and more engaging over time. This is a change many consider worth making.

The removal of Treasure Hunter marks a historic moment in MMO history. Players are experiencing something rare in online gaming: their voices directly shaping the future of a live-service game. Whether players love RuneScape 3, prefer Old School RuneScape, or stopped playing years ago, this is a big deal. Treasure Hunter has been part of the game for over a decade. Its removal, not because it stopped making money but because the community requested it, highlights the enduring importance of the relationship between developers and players. This is a turning point — not just for RuneScape, but for MMOs as a whole.