Runescape designer Jagex has put a stop with Runelite HD, a fan-made HD mod to the well-known Open-Source client of Old School Runescape, just as the project was about to launch on Monday. This decision, made in the last minute, has RS Gold users blaming Jagex for the decision, and claiming they'll switch into other online games.
Runelite HD Developer "117" posted on Reddit Tuesday with a message he had received from Jagex that was later acknowledged by Jagex in its own blog post. Runelite HD operates as a plugin that could provide an overhaul in the visuals of the core game Runescape that can be observed in 117's Twitter. Moderator 117 also said that they've spent around 200 hours over the past two years developing Runelite HD.
"Yesterday we contacted the developers of well-known HD projects and asked them to stop development of their projectssince it's a project we are directly investigating," Jagex stated. Jagex sent 117 an email stating that the company's efforts to develop an HD edition of Old School Runescape was "still quite early in its exploration stages" however "very active."
"Naturally this means the fan-led project that attempts to change the way Old School RuneScape appears is contrary to our strategies," Jagex wrote to 117. "We think it's absolutely vital that there's a consistency in the manner that Old School appears as a result, so we'd like to be sure that our official changes are the only ones available.
I hope the news is that Jagex and the Old School team are tackling the project with seriousness is something that excites you however it could require us to respectfully request that you stop your own personal project."
117 stated that they had offered Jagex an option which was to remove their project once Jagex had released theirs, and giving Jagex "collaborative oversight" over Runelite HD's design style.
"They refused to participate," 117 said. "I am so annoyed and disappointed in Jagex, and I am deeply sorry to find that after this lengthy journey and a long time, I'm unable to present this project to you. 117's mod doesn't seem to be in conflict with Jagex's policies for third-party clients, but the Runescape developer claims that it's updating those guidelines next week, to include references to projects that alter the look and feel of the game.
Original Runelite developer Adam1210 posted his views on Reddit and stated that the ability to allow Runelite HD to remain would be a great benefit for any future updates released by Jagex.
"I strongly disagree with including it in the "third rules of third parties," Adam1210 said. "Most of them are trying to determine where the line is between "quality of life] and cheating lies and I'm convinced that the majority of people agree the current guidelines are an excellent illustration of that. it can help keep the game integrity.
But there is not an benefit in the least for better graphics and it will only impact you once you have enabled it with OSRS Gold. So - this is really simply a misapplication of guidelines. This is, in the end, a loss for everyone involved and I would like Jagex could reconsider."
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