[2019] MTX - A suggestion for a compromise

I fear there's a lot of pressure on Jagex to keep exp rewards in MTX options, as speeding up a grind through microtransactions have done 'so well' across multiple gaming communities, there's no doubt that the scourge of gaming is microtransactions, and that game companies or their shareholders are currently testing the waters to their maximum potential after realizing how insanely huge the market is. With that being said, Jagex has addressed that they want to discuss their options internally, about what to do with what their players currently perceive as an aggressive approach to in-game transactions.

It's great that they are thinking hard about a problem they seem to have little control over, and I would like to share some ideas that I think might be accepted by players as well as company shareholders, it will however require some serious work from the developers and I won't expect to see it anytime soon with all the updates the latest Runefest boasted, nevertheless here they are:

1. Remove Treasure Hunter entirely; most gamers whether they play a grindy game like Runescape or a shooter like Call of Duty or w/e, all gaming communities display outrage when game developers introduce lootboxes through microtransactions. They might make shareholders drool in satisfaction, but you're going to piss off most if not all of your customerbase. Just because statistics say people buy lootboxes, doesn't mean they're happy with it - they don't want other people gaining an edge on them, and since they can't get the developers to even the tables for them, they'll have to pay for it. That's cruel marketing, efficient as hell though.[Some relevant articles regarding lootboxes: https://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2017/11/28/ea-shares-plummet-after-star-wars-battlefront-ii-loot-box-fiasco/, https://www.pcgamer.com/how-the-loot-box-controversy-shaped-gaming-in-2017/, https://www.pcgamer.com/the-case-for-and-against-loot-boxes-according-to-developers/, https://www.pcgamer.com/paladins-players-angry-over-new-loot-box-based-progression-system/]Doing this step would buy Jagex a lot of goodwill with their customers, and it just might bring old players back into Gielinor, meaning new memberships could put a tiny dent in the massive revenue drop this would unfortunately cause for them.
2. In order to further regain what is lost from removing Treasure Hunter, a whole new approach to MTX is required. This is where that hard work I mentioned comes into play. There's no doubt that skill experience is a huge deal in Runescape, everyone knows that, it's why I'm certain it'll never come off the MTX table. If exp remains purchaseable, simply handing out literal exp as a consumable is not the right way to go about it. Instead, I'd suggest adding a designated skilling hub that requires "treasure hunter keys" or whatever one would decide to call it, and give that skilling hub similar or slightly nerfed exp rates to some of the exp events we've seen before. Each key should give you a timer from when you enter the area similar to the Premier Club Vault, and automatically consume keys similar to killing Cyclopes in the Warrior's Guild, untill you eventually run out or decide to leave. Jagex could continue to do MTX promotions, highlighting a different skill every month for added exp. Players would still be enticed to purchase keys because it would speed up their grinding significantly; BUT the main difference is that they would actually have to grind the exp, they just have better rates than using other methods and is afk-friendly.

These are my thoughts on a complex and controversial matter, if you have any thoughts or additions please do comment.