Official response to updates. (Posted by Mod Mat K)
Hi guys,
I have some official responses to yesterdays updates which I hope will answer your questions and some you may get asked.
Why are Jagex changing the game just because of a few rulebreakers?
Jagex has been working hard on a number of ideas to remove the threat of RWT from the game.
I am sure you will have seen several "bots", or other automated tools, in-game. This is simply the ‘tip of the iceberg’. We receive hundred of reports each day of many bots and sweatshop workers gathering resources for these RWT sites. Each day we receive many letters complaining of the threat that these macroers pose and how unfair it is that that they are "getting away" with it. These cheats devalue what is most important to the game: the efforts of our players.
Jagex has taken a stand against these rule-breakers. We are taking the fight to the RWT sites by removing their ability to do business. In doing so we are also adding new and exciting content for our loyal players, so that they know we care about them.
I would like to encourage you to read the “Development Diaries†which detail our battle with RWT, and are available on our main page (
www.runescape.com). It is only through partnership with you, the loyal and good players of RuneScape, that we will be able to bring RWT to an end. If you place your trust in us, and support these initiatives, we promise to deliver a better RuneScape experience over the years to come.
We take pride in that no other online game has the depth of communication that we do with our players. We want hear from you, so please express your feelings on the RuneScape Forums.
Where is the harm in RWT?
RWT is a plague to online gaming. It encourages cheating and bypassing game mechanics designed to make the game fun and fair, therefore diminishing the enjoyment of playing. Other players, who see those people cheating and gaining the items not by skill, but by money, get upset. Why should they duel or quest with those who did not earn their ‘loot’?
In essence: RWT devalues the game. It devalues it for those who play fairly, and it devalues the experience for those who use it, by removing the effort involved in achieving something special.
What is the point of talking if there is no trade?
There will always be an option to trade. It is just that “unbalanced†trades will not be allowed. You can still offer your items to other players, as well as offer your skills, using the ‘Assist’ system.
You will also need communication for the exciting new Clan Wars, as well as for finding quest partners and clan mates. Don’t forget that you need to chat in game to make new friends. Trading is a part of RuneScape, and we are not removing it, only changing a small part of it.
Why not just IP ban the bot companies?
As much as we would like to IP ban the bot companies, the problem is that it is not effective. Many ISPs use dynamic IP addresses for all their customers. We would have to ban entire ISPs to do this, and that would mean losing many legitimate players. That is why we have taken these steps instead.
Why have you stopped me lending items to my friends to wear?
There will always be an option to trade. It is just that “unbalanced†trades will not be allowed. There are many other ways to help your friends gain items. Why not form a clan and use the “LootShare†system? This will allow you and your friends to gain good quality loot!
Jagex is aware that players want to help their friends out from time to time. That is why you can give up to 3000 gp worth of items to your friends. This will allow you to aid your friends if they are in a tight spot.
Are you trying to make RuneScape a single player game?
There will always be a need to team up (or compete) with your fellow players. With the new Clan Wars, Bounty Hunter, Duel Tournaments, LootShare, Pest Control and Barbarian Assault, the world of RuneScape remains as dynamic as always.
What's next, will you remove all GP and other currency so RWT bots can't sell it?
The updates we have made should prevent the unbalanced transfer of wealth, which is the “bread and butter†of the RWT companies. Without this, they have no way of selling gold, and thus they will be forced to leave. For this reason we have no more plans to change trading or the GP at this time.
You're hurting your players because you're too lazy to ban the bots!
Our staff work tirelessly 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to keep RuneScape safe from the RWT menace. We will be working throughout the holiday season, including all the special days, in order to protect RuneScape. We have taken every effort to prevent those who take part in RWT. We have taken these steps because we know that, if we do nothing, RuneScape will fall apart. We hope that our players understand that these measures are to protect the world of RuneScape, and keep it safe for years to come.
Why do you want to control the market, why not just make rares untradable!
Making rare items untradable will not help with this problem. Jagex does not want to remove anything from the game without having something to replace it. That is why we added the Grand Exchange, LootShare and the Assist system. Those involved in RWT would use other methods to transfer wealth if rare items were made untradable, and we feel that doing this would be unnecessary with the changes to unbalanced wealth transfer.
My account has been disabled from unbalanced trading.
When we announced that we were removing unbalanced trading we were sure that those involved in Real-World Trading would try to do what they could to 'offload' their inventory as soon as possible. It is because of this that we have implemented this change for new accounts and also for what we call 'High Risk' accounts.
Jagex has a system in place that determines whether an account is 'High Risk' and unfortunately your account has been flagged as such. We are sorry that this has occurred, but we are unable to remove your account from the 'High Risk' status as that would involve removing this system from the game. The risk to RuneScape posed by those involved in Real-World Trading is too great to do this.
However, please rest assured your account has not been flagged as 'High Risk' as a result of any rules being broken. Additionally your account is at no risk of being banned as a result of being flagged to us.
Jagex has ruined the game for 'Pures'
I can assure you that we have no favouritism amongst players, whether they are a "Pure" or not a "Pure".
Any changes we have made are for the benefit of the wider community, and are not intended to victimise any particular style of play.
You can still use the skills you have developed in the new 'Bounty Hunter' mini-game.
On a personal note, I would like to thank all of you that have behaved so well during yesterdays updates. We are aware that not all of you were going to be happy, however the way you have treated each other within the Forums and in the game has made me proud.
*Wipes tear away*
Thank you.
=Mat=
