In the past decade, the video game industry has seen a major shift in how games are monetized and operated. The rise of microtransactions, subscription models, and live services has changed the way games are designed and operated. One of the most notable games to embrace this new model is Runescape, which has been running a live service for over 15 years. While the game has seen many changes over the years, one thing has remained constant: the demand for private servers. Private servers are unofficial servers run by third-party organizations that allow players to play the game for free or for a reduced price. These servers are not affiliated with Jagex, the company that runs Runescape, and they often violate Jagex's terms of service. Despite the risks, private servers are popular among players because they offer a way to play the game without paying the monthly subscription fee. They also provide an avenue for players to experience the game in a way that is not possible on the official servers. Jagex has been tolerant of private servers for many years, but recently they have taken a harder stance against them. In the past year, Jagex has shutdown over 50 private servers and banned thousands of players who were using them. The crackdown on private servers has been a controversial topic among the Runescape community. Some players feel that Jagex is justified in taking action against them, while others feel that private servers are a vital part of the game's ecosystem. This article will explore the debate surrounding private servers in Runescape and the impact that Jagex's crackdown has had on the game's community.
The Old School Client is a service that provides access to the old school version of the game Runescape. It is available to members who have an active subscription.
After years of development, the Old School RuneScape client is finally live! This client gives players access to all the content from the original game, as well as some quality of life improvements. The client is available for free to all Old School RuneScape members.