Notes

Runescape Developer Shuts down HD Fan Mod Just before the Release The Game is Rumbling with a Protest In-game

Jagex was approached by the mod's creator, who claims they've spent 2,000 hours in the last two years creating Runelite HD.



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Runescape developer Jagex has put an end to Runelite HD, a fan-made HD mod to the popular open-source client for Old School Runescape, just as the project was about to launch last Monday. The 11th-hour move has some Runescape fans slamming Jagex's decision and saying they'll be switching to other MMOs.



Reddit user "117", Runelite HD developer shared the message that he received from Jagex on Tuesday. Jagex later confirmed the message via an article on its blog. Runelite HD operates as a plugin that can provide an impressive visual overhaul to the base Runescape as seen on 117's Twitter. The modder added that they've spent around 2,000 hours over the last two years working on Runelite HD.



Jagex stated, "Yesterday, we contacted developers of HD projects that we have identified and asked them to stop development of their projects because this is a matter we are currently investigating."



Runelite HD Screenshots



Jagex wrote to 117 that their work on an HD version of Old School Runescape was "still very early in the exploration stages" but "very much in development."



"Naturally, this means that any fan-led project that aims to alter the appearance of Old School RuneScape looks is at odds with our plans," Jagex wrote to 117. "We think it's absolutely vital that there is consistency in the way that Old School appears and therefore we want to make certain that our official changes are the only ones that are available. I hope that the announcement that Jagex and the Old School team are tackling this project with a seriousness is something that excites you however it does mean that we have to politely ask you shut down your personal project."



117 said they would offer Jagex a compromise that included removing their project once Jagex had released theirs and granting Jagex "collaborative control" over Runelite HD's visual style.



"They refused to participate," 117 said. "I am extremely dissatisfied and disappointed with Jagex, and I am very disappointed that after this long process I'm not able share this project with you.



The mod of 117 doesn't appear to go against Jagex's guidelines for third-party clients, but the Runescape developer says it is updating those guidelines next week to include references to projects affecting the appearance of the game.



Original Runelite developer Adam1210 has shared his thoughts on Reddit and stated that the ability to allow Runelite HD to continue would be a net benefit for future updates developed by Jagex.



Adam1210 said that he was strongly opposed the addition of it to the "third-party guidelines". "Most of those guidelines attempt to define what the line between quality of lifeand cheating] is, and I believe that majority of people believe that the current guidelines are a fair representation of that. Also, it helps keeps [sic] the integrity of the game. There is no unfair advantage for better graphics. safebin It only affects you if you enable it. This is a breach of guidelines. In the end, it's an issue for everyone involved and I'd like to see Jagex would reconsider."



A few players of the Runelite HD project have taken to a town square in Falador the capital city in one of Runescape's main kingdoms in order to stage protests similar to the protest that World of Warcraft players held in July. The participants can be seen on the video posted with texts that criticize Jagex for their decision, and hashtags like #Free117. Another video shows players "marchingaround" outside Falador Square.



It's currently unclear how long Jagex has been aware of 117's Runelite HD project.



PC Gamer reached out to Jagex PR in an attempt to get comment on the matter but has not received a response as of publication time.



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Joseph Knoop is a freelance writer who specializes in everything Fortnite at PC Gamer. Joe is a Master of Creative Codes, Fortnite's weekly missions and Joe is always available to give you the inside scoop on Boba Fett, John Wick, or anyone else who is playing Fortnite this week. It's a mix of disappointment and relief that he's still not a Fortnite skin himself. There's always the next season...


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