I didn’t expect Jagex to kill Treasure Hunter—here’s what changes for RuneScape on Jan 19, 2026

Why this actually matters for RuneScape players

I didn’t think I’d live to see the day Jagex pulled the plug on Treasure Hunter. Yet here we are: on January 19, 2026, RuneScape’s loot box-style microtransactions are being permanently removed after a community vote with over 120,000 responses. That’s not just a tweak-it’s a fundamental shift in how the game respects your time, your progression, and frankly, your wallet. If you’ve bounced off RS in the last decade because lamps, stars, and “skip-this-grind” items made it feel pay-to-win, this is the first real sign that the meta is changing back to player-first.

Key takeaways

• Treasure Hunter is gone for good on January 19, 2026-no more purchasable keys, lamps, or XP skips.
• Jagex says 225 Direct XP and skilling-related items will be removed from sale; disruptive items will be fully retired.
• A year-long “Integrity Roadmap” will target UI, combat, dailyscape chores, early/mid-game flow, and visual identity.
• Expect the economy and progression pace to shift-less artificial XP inflation, potentially stronger markets for actual skilling.

Breaking down the announcement

Jagex confirmed the removal date and framed it as the start of a new era, with integrity “at the heart of every design decision.” Alongside killing Treasure Hunter, they’re taking 225 Direct XP and skilling items off sale and flat-out removing items that disrupt core gameplay and the economy. In plain terms: the lamps, stars, and similar freebies that let you bypass training are out. The studio will walk players through the bigger plan during a RuneScape Ahead broadcast on January 19, which also tees up 2026’s content roadmap as the franchise hits its 25th anniversary.

Treasure Hunter has been embedded in RS since 2014, replacing the even more infamous Squeal of Fortune. For years it’s been the lightning rod for criticism: a daily activity that gave free keys but nudged you to buy more for spins at XP and skilling power. Removing that revenue pillar isn’t a small step; it’s a clear statement about where Jagex wants RuneScape to live culturally in 2026 and beyond.

Why this matters now

This caught my attention because it lines up with a broader industry shift away from loot boxes and FOMO-driven grinds. Overwatch dumped loot boxes in favor of a battle pass. FIFA (sorry, EA Sports FC) is under constant scrutiny for packs. RuneScape has felt out of step for a while, particularly when Old School RuneScape built its identity on player polls and “integrity updates” that prioritized fair progression. Seeing modern RS adopt the language—and hopefully the spirit—of integrity isn’t just symbolic; it could actually make the game easier to recommend again.

There’s also the timing. The 25th anniversary is a milestone where you either double down on what made the world special or keep milking the cash cow. Jagex choosing the former, at least on paper, is the right read for a game that wants to exist for another decade. And let’s be honest: this move only happened because players pushed for it. A 120k-strong vote is the kind of mandate studios can’t ignore.

What this changes for actual gameplay

First, progression should feel more honest. Without purchasable Direct XP, levels regained value because they’ll largely come from playing, not buying. If you’ve been away, that means fewer moments where someone’s total level reflects their credit card more than their boss rotations or skilling routes. The early and mid-game revamp on the Integrity Roadmap is key here: newcomers need smoother quest chains, saner tutorialization, and less system spam before they discover why RS is great—its quests, lore, and weirdly cozy loop.

Second, the economy could breathe. TH items historically juiced supply and demand in odd ways—think boosted XP that reduced actual material consumption or skilling dummies that sped through levels. Remove those, and you’ll likely see healthier markets where crafted goods and gathered resources hold value longer. That’s good for skilling clans, Ironmen who’ve watched balance seesaw, and anyone who likes making GP by actually playing.

Third, “dailyscape” getting targeted is a quiet seismic change. Daily chores—logins for keys, chores for micro-currencies, checklists that felt mandatory—have been a morale drain for years. If Jagex truly cuts low-value FOMO and bakes rewards into regular play, it helps RS feel less like a second job, especially on mobile where bite-sized sessions should feel rewarding without spreadsheets.

Lastly, UI and combat make-or-break cross-platform play. The modern RS UI is flexible but also notoriously fiddly. Cleaning up action bars, tooltips, and readability on phones, and making EoC feel approachable without sacrificing depth, would pay dividends for returning players who bounced off the learning cliff.

Skepticism check: the questions Jagex must answer

• How will revenue be replaced? Subscriptions and Bonds aren’t going anywhere, but will we see an aggressive pivot to cosmetics or battle pass-style systems? After the 2023 Hero Pass backlash, players will scrutinize every detail.
• What happens to existing keys and items? Will stockpiled keys convert to something fair, and how will purchased XP items already in banks be handled?
• Which of the 225 items are “removed from sale” versus “removed entirely”? Clarity matters to the economy and to players planning grinds.
• How deep does the “dailyscape” cut go? Trimming chores is great, but the real win is eliminating FOMO loops that feel mandatory to stay efficient.

I’m excited, but I’m not naïve. “Integrity” can’t just be the slogan of the year. It has to show up in the systems: no stealth power boosts behind cosmetics, no new currencies that quietly recreate Treasure Hunter in another form, and transparent, player-first communication when trade-offs hit.

Looking ahead

If you’ve avoided RuneScape because it felt like a chore or a storefront, January 19 is worth circling. The roadmap preview will tell us whether this is a one-off purge or a real rebuild that modernizes onboarding, tamps down chores, and celebrates the parts of RS that have always been great: inventive quests, deep skilling, and a community that shows up when asked.

My advice: hold your membership decisions until after the broadcast, keep an eye on how they handle compensation and item conversion, and watch the first few economy weeks post-TH for signals. If the changes land, 2026 could be the year RS finally feels like a game you play, not a grind you optimize.

TL;DR

Jagex is permanently removing Treasure Hunter on January 19, 2026 and launching a year-long Integrity Roadmap focused on fixes players have been asking for: UI, combat, dailyscape, and onboarding. It’s a huge win on paper; the big question is what replaces the revenue and whether “integrity” survives first contact with monetization. Cautious optimism is justified—and long overdue.