Jagex Charts A “Road To Restoration” For RuneScape, Starting With The End Of Treasure Hunter

Jagex has set a new course for RuneScape in 2026, and the word they are championing is integrity. The first major move in this direction is the complete removal of the Treasure Hunter microtransaction system, a feature that has long been a point of contention within the player community. RuneScape's Treasure Hunter microtransactions are now gone, restoring integrity as Jagex reveal integrity-focused 2026 plans integratively.

I looked through the developer video and the accompanying post on the official site, which lay out a "Road to Restoration." This plan aims to realign the game's trajectory for a sustainable future as it approaches its 25th anniversary. The elimination of Treasure Hunter is the foundational step. Items obtained from this system are not disappearing overnight but are being phased out.

"Over the course of 2026, players will have the opportunity to use up any existing stockpiles, with additional chances later in the year to clear out anything that remains, before these items are ultimately made obsolete."— Jagex

The winter update, which is now live, introduces more than just the removal of Treasure Hunter. I saw a retooled user interface that brings back classic elements, including the circular minimap. Players now have the option to make cosmetic items like wings invisible if they find them distracting. The update also includes a worldspace refresh for several free-to-play areas, with Lumbridge, Draynor, and Varrock receiving visual and design updates. This initial patch sets the stage for a year of planned changes.

Looking ahead, the roadmap details several large-scale additions intertwined with system revamps. A two-part expansion named Havenhythe is scheduled, along with the introduction of player-owned housing and customizable player avatars. These larger content drops will be released alongside updates to core game features. In the spring, a significant combat update will modernize the three primary fighting styles. This involves adding a proper basic attack and reworking abilities that are no longer effective in the current game.

Jagex has also scheduled three separate balancing passes to be deployed throughout the year to ensure system stability. Furthermore, the RuneMetrics Pro subscription, a stat-tracking service, will be discontinued as a separate purchase. Instead, its features will become a standard part of the paid RuneScape membership, available to all subscribers without an extra fee. It appears to be a comprehensive effort to address long-standing player feedback by overhauling both new and existing systems.

The plan is ambitious, representing a clear acknowledgment from the developers that a course correction was necessary after a deep dive into monetization practices that proved unpopular with the game's dedicated community.

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