Buff Bars

We think we have a fix but aren't fully confident in it. So we are deciding if we can get it on a test service for everyone (wouldn't be this week) or just increase our confidence in it and push it live.

Discussions

Decant this stream in a FAQ blog in better chunks.
Dev blog next week around the Premiere pass system and it will be free for club members.
Livestream to follow it up in the next months based on when Parliament have responded.

Intro

Perfect storm of negativity in the past few months:
- Lack of game content, TH promotions issues, Parliament Report, Kotaku article, BBC lootcrate article.
We have some work to do on the care front. We are building a strategy to address what we aren't doing correctly.

Parliament Details

Parents of an adult player who were concerned about their son spending $60,000 on the game sent a formal complaint to the committee. The committee's conclusion was that the evidence presented to them was a lot lower than what the complaint was about.

We wrote to the committee what are intentions/recommendations are not just for Jagex but for the industry.
- This will be discussed and they will come back with recommendations and then we will share it with you.
- There's a general election in the UK so it may take sometime to get those recommendations.
Rather than waiting for them to tell us what we need to do, we will look at what we can do to bring it back ourselves in line.

Debunking Myths

Does any RS3 MTX fund, in any way, OSRS?

Indirectly. It drives income into the business allowing us to develop new products and invest into existing ones.
- It also pays salaries all across the company.
Over the last 5 years we've become a larger company and we've probably doubled our employee cost.
- This means we're investing into our employees and spitting out new initiatives and growing.

Is the money made through MTX re-invested back into the game?

Absolutely, it's invested primarily to pay salaries, we brought new employees into the companies and new skill sets, we've increased the size of our teams/initiatives. Primarily employee cost.
We operate as most companies do.
- Revenue streams from MTX and also forms of investments from our parent company support us.
- We show growth potential, and if we want to expand we have to justify those stuff.
- My team we have to get continual buy-in from higher ups based on roadmaps and expectations to key targets.

Membership vs MTX

Subscription % - MTX % ratio:
- The typical ratio is 45%-55%.
- Some games are 50%-50% or even 60%-40% but never beyond that.
- Runescape is currently 50%-50% but we are looking to grow to 60%-40% (not necessarily our target).
When we look at our MTX revenue split, a portion of that MTX revenue is variable since it can come from prior years as we can only recognize on the books when a certain set of actions happened. (Cosmetics and Bonds).
We want players to absorb the value of cosmetics for a longer enough period to recognize the value so we don't claim the revenue completely.

FAQ Topics

Below are topics where I've quoted/partially quoted Jmods on stream. I've done this to give more insight on these topics while also to remove clutter.

Is Jagex milking their players?
Direct XP vs Bonus XP
Being reactive on a bad promotional schedule?
Why as a community should we trust anything you say to us in the past promises have been made and yet nothing has been done to keep them and what indicates this time around will be any different.
What would you say to pay more money for no more MTX?
Can we have an "opt out" option for MTX in its entirety?
MTX Free World

Jagex Teams

3 Main Teams: Core Experience | Live Ops | Episodic Content

Live Ops Team

Newly reformed team of content developers, artists, testers, and designers.
- Operate in a similar fashion to other teams with 2 week sprints and then reviews.
Developed TH, SGS, time limited events (DXPW), Premier club, twitch prime, and the charity events.

Values

^{We've never been clear what our philosophy is or what we are aiming to do with it. We've just added bits here and there and that's probably why it's created a bit of fictions. There are a few things, establish some ground rules/values...}

Value	Description
Subscription based services	Make sure we deliver on this first and foremost. Make sure everyone (Members, F2P, Premier club) are getting a good deal.
About Engagement	Having reason to play the game not just quests, but things that make people get together in game and give reason for you to participate in events and take part with your clan, etc. Change in activities, Alternative engagement.
Does it belong	Crossed this numerous times. Bad MTX strategy feels it's layered on top. When we started we essentially did that, we struggled to make them fit with the game.
Generosity	Make certain content available in the game through non-pay methods such as elite skilling outfits. It's not quite right yet and it took ages and came with a lot of caveats. We want to make a better and more transparent system but also ensure if you pay for something that doesn't mean we will make it available immediately for free. Also talking about the integrated design and publishing drop rates. We already do it on mobile, no reason not to do it elsewhere.

Strategy

We currently develop strategies that are independent of each other (episodic isn't related to live ops)
- We need something that's more cohesive and aligns with each other and supports each other.
2020 Plans - It's not as concrete as I'd like it yet.
- I'm (Warden) looking for a budget for a roadmap that we are currently working on still and haven't finalized.

Double XP Weekend

We've wanted to experiment with DXPW for awhile, and attempted it back in May (VoS), but failed.
We want a way for players to enjoy DXPW and it's social aspects without feeling forced to be attentive.
We went back and forth on 36 hours. A weekend is normally 48, but DXPW are usually 72 hours.
- According to data only 1% of players play for 36+ hours on the weekends so it felt like a sensible cut off point.
- We may try looking at a different cap in the future. We want the right amount without it feeling punishing.

Treasure Hunter

RNG on Treasure Hunter

It's about experimenting and trying new things.
There are still daily keys and players who are wanting to take advantage of progression/speed advantages.
RNG element needs to take a different shape without the lootcrate.
- The industry is also deciding if there needs to be RNG at all.
We need to be transparent about the RNG, it should not be the negative aspect of our models.

Treasure Hunter 2.0

Past: We've explored different designs but it took us in a direction we aren't comfortable with (more lootboxes).
- This was also around the time when there was a big kickback around lootboxes in the industry.
- We should have been more transparent.
We have since looked back at things we could change and do differently.
Will be things in the next couple of months (starting end of this month) to show we are looking to change it up.

Item/Combat Rewards on Treasure Hunter

We don't have a hard set of rules/agreements but we take a lot of advice internally on what's fair/balanced.
We will always continue to avoid providing the best in slot combat gear.
Virtus armor concerns - we haven't done these types of promotions for years, and players have asked for more.
- We didn't increase the max tier, and it isn't the best in slot.
- We have no current plans to do the other armors. Doesn't mean we won't ever, but tell us what you think.

Cosmetics vs Normal Promotions

The Cat-walk promo was received really well.
- In terms of income it was nothing new and did similar to the Flames of Rei Ti promotion back in July.
Cosmetics on TH don't get as much engagement. More players who use TH are wanting the progression.
- We could put them on SGS as we know roughly what engagement that drives.
Time-limited events that tends to focus on cosmetic awards do really well however.

Promotion Rotation

We do cosmetic promotions more often than people think.
We try and balance out the types of promotions to cover all the bases: cosmetic, functional, bonus xp, direct xp.
Let ourselves down in the past when we recycled stuff since it was an easy win since due to the lack of support.
- We've addressed that now and invested into the team just as we've done to all out teams (not just MTX).
- We can do more experimentation and innovation that we've lacked in the past

MTX Stores

We want to combine all the stores (SGS, Loyalty store, Rare Item, Oddment, Action bars/Presets, etc...) and have a whole rounded system. Have a clean up that makes it less confusing less complex but bring them together in a way that's more interesting.

Store Combination

I'd like to use a unified currency or maybe allow players to exchange currencies for others to unlock these things.
- Collating it together is a huge undertaking.
The interfaces/systems have been around for awhile and would requires a lot of UI/UX work.
- The UI/UX team have been building up and developing their capability.
It's better to do small steps and test them to get feedback than one large update where the progress isn't seen.
- Example: Oddment store change - We weren't sure how'd it go down, and now we can build upon it.

Auras

Loyalty Store - has been an issue for quite awhile
We want to make certain auras (high level combat auras) available via in-game methods.
- Plan with Osborne on how to do that.
Some that fit well with Premium auras that would be sold as bonds like the Mahjarrat Aura.

Oddment store

We want to experiment more with it, with direct purchase of items that are normally reserved to TH.
- It's quite contentious, but there are other ways to do it
- Other games are experimenting with this as an alternative.
The next step to look at what stuff we can make available and what quantities and how do we limit them.
- Plans are already in place. Changes made within the next few months.
Could look at making oddments easier to obtain. Maybe an interaction with bonds.
Look to possible shift the focus away from the conventional TH promotions/Loot crates.

Solomon's General Store

It's out of date, clunky, discoverability is terrible.
It's on our road-map to fix but it's a big task.

Runepass

Pilot Test - July, 2018

We were disappointed on how we handled it. We didn't:
- Put enough time in planning it and executing it well.
- Communicate it well enough and explain what we were trying to achieve.
- Deliver enough content in there.
The value is way under what you'd expect for both the premier track and free tack.
- Tasks were grindy and dull.
- We should have made it free to premier club members.

Upcoming

Blog - Next Week | Update - End of the month

We are planning to look at those systems and something around that.
The main thing is that it really has to deliver the right amount of content and rewards.
We are working with a pass system that sits well with the game which can run as events throughout the year.

Runepass Alongside Treasure Hunter

It's about achieving a balance.
If we suddenly turned off the income from System A we'd need to be guaranteed that it would come from B.
- Since System B is brand new we don't have that guarantee.
- Therefore, if System B brings in a certain amount of income then we can do less of System A.
We're a business we got commitments to make. If we can prove out new systems that are successful then we can decrease the reliance and the frequency and intensity of other things in this case TH.
I do want to change up Treasure Hunter to test out new systems/mechanics to replace the lootcrate system.
- There will be a period where we will run something different on TH to see what happens.

Communications

Communication - Scheduling

We've done a rubbish job of conveying our development roadmap, not just MTX but through out Jagex.
- Better internal road-maps, knowing dependencies, leadership and player communication,
People are okay if things are delayed as long as you tell them and there are good reasons.
We are building a solid road-map for 2020 to prevent excessive promotions with a lack of game content.
- Hit more of things players asked for such as with the player survey. (For current and newer players).
A lot of the reason for a lack of communication with the monetisation portion of the game is because we haven't had the vision/support/strategies to do that. Now that we have it we are more than happy to do it.

General MTX Discussion

Membership alone is not sufficient to keep the game healthy and evolving.

As costs (production, staff, servers, maintenance, etc) increased we had to increase revenue.
- We could increase subscription charge it would affect everyone and some players wouldn't be able to afford it.
- Therefore we choose MTX, which is genuinely optional.
RS is on the lower end, and players also maintain their original subscription through grandfathered rates.
Our priority needs to be focused on improving subscription value since that hits are bulk of our base.
- We may not have had that balance right.

Intrusive MTX - Shadow Drakes

We shouldn't be doing things that are intrusive and spoils people enjoyment of the game.
- In the past where we've probably crossed that line, but that doesn't mean we should do them again.
You can't take things away once it's done since it's a real live game, so you have to move carefully.
- We did an update with the Combat Academy and how you can't take shadow drakes in there anymore.

Free Runecoins

Obtaining Runecoins via in-game activities is a cool idea, and we want to clean the currency system to do that.
- Runecoins can be tricky to work with (internal reasons), but it works with oddments, keys, etc.

MTX Content Suggestions

Combat animations - Counts as cosmetics, sits well in those systems.
Bank Presets - If people want them.
Retro Overrides - They are cool and have a place, things we can do for special occasions.
Interface colors/themes - Problematic of how the game is presented on different formats like mobile.
- Adding complications and complexity to stuff we don't need to. It's probably not something I'd want to add

Refer-A-Friend System Alternative

Currently players exploit it by creating alts.
It deserves a bit of an overhaul to something more modern where it can have tiers of rewards.
- It's up on the board.

Pop-ups

We don't want to be intrusive and we haven't always got that right
We do and try to make sure those messages are only targeted at players who would get the benefit from them.
- We probably haven't done a good enough job of that

Nerfs

It is conflicting that we are nerfing game content yet continuing to release OP XP promotions into the game.
- We need to sync up between teams which we've started. We don't always get it right, or it's done in silos.

Updates and Game Info

Lack of Updates

What are we doing?

Not hitting beats/delivering on the commitments. We're not the best at looking at all the knock-on effects
Currently we are doing our best to hit the dates we said at Runefest. We haven't taken our foot off the gas.
- Added more production and product owner support to each of the teams.
- Visibility and awareness are going up, hitting more of our objectives so it's very promising.

OSRS vs RS

OSRS is the nostalgia driven version of the game and it needs to be preserved so it only changes if players are 75% behind it.
RS is more of a theme park where we try new and exciting experiments to keep it alive and fresh and keep people interested.

Free Players

We want to make the game more welcoming to free players.
- We've done it in the past but we need be more accepting.
- Data we get from partners tell us the same thing that we have to make a better effort on your free model.

Halloween/Seasonal Events

The Live-Ops team looks over this.
I like to see these season events to be more of a thing and plan them more in advance and build content that helps build it out into something more meaningful. I'd see that as a key change for 2020.
You can recycle content but it can get boring/fatigued and it can go wrong if we don't change them up.
- Example: The Beach - It became dry since no new rewards/activities so we decided not to revisit it.
- We can still do the Beach again in the future.

Runescape

We see RS around in 5 years, but our current view is about quarters, 6-12 month view then 2021 and beyond.
- We haven't been well equipped on the longer term but we intend to.
I'd like players to love it. Re-kindled love. We want to know the next generation of RS players.
The game is bright, optimistic, whimsical. RS is special because of the avatar, not many games do that. EVE does with spaceship avatars and that's a unique piece and we should explore it. RS has meaning to players and is multi-generational. We should make games that support those ideas.

External link →

[2019] TL;DW 461 - Monetisation Q&A