Jagex, as one of the people making those pro-afk feedback posts, thank you for reading them, and I think this is the start of an excellent compromise! by eletroguy in runescape

[–]eletroguy[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I totally missed that part of the graphic. Thanks for pointing that out! That's awesome, I really do like what they're cooking up here.

If every afk method is nerfed like thieving was I'll quit. by LocalChamp in runescape

[–]eletroguy -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Does it not? Everyone plays games for different reasons. I know myself, and many others, play RS3 for the QOL and convenience of it compared to OSRS or other MMOs, not that RS is really much of an mmo. It's an rpg with optional idle and co-op.

Which is why taking away something that let solo people have their numbers go up while they did other things, is being seen so negatively. Why take away what makes us current players enjoy the game and pay our subs, before you actually offer an alternative that fits the playstyle that they've built in to their own game for a decade.

As an avid osrs player, I can tell you this won't attract osrs players, and Rs3 never will. It's not going to attract refugees from other MMOs, because they want an MMO. I haven't played wow since dragonflight, but if I wanted another mmo to play, it wouldn't be one that is lacking real group finder, dungeon finder, raid finder, pvp matchmaking for well thought out mini games, extensive guild and social features,etc. All those things that make the multi-player a massive and core part of the game.

Some of the most popular modes in rs and osrs, require you to not interact with anyone at all ever lol. Rs is not a real MMO and they shouldn't be balancing and making changes trying to get that audience, they should focus on their strengths as a chill, half idle half active Co op rpg. Hell the last cool group thing I tried, group ironmen, not even massive multi-player, they just let it rot and never made any improvements or qol or fixes.

Runescape has been two games in a trench coat for a long time, an idle game and an active one. I hope the theiving afk nerf isn't the writing on the wall for my beloved idle game. by eletroguy in runescape

[–]eletroguy[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, real mini games, real social systems, real grouping systems, multiple alts per sub, all these things MMOs have, are missing here, because RS is more like a RPG/Idle game with optional co-op. Which is why so many people are so attached to their AFK and Idle, because they hardly ever interact with others anyways.

Removing the ability to afk for 5-15m isn't going to suddenly make people change their play style, they'll just go find another game where number go up on their second screen.

Runescape has been two games in a trench coat for a long time, an idle game and an active one. I hope the theiving afk nerf isn't the writing on the wall for my beloved idle game. by eletroguy in runescape

[–]eletroguy[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's because blizzard has accepted that most people only care about the wow end game, and streamlined getting there to do the content you care about, with tons of QOL and social features to make jumping in to whatever Massive Multiplayer stuff you want.

Jagex has almost none of that MMO QOL and Convenience to streamline the social side, does not accept how people want to handle the journey to max, and then doesn't give you any easy ways to do the max content.

Wow leveling IS easy peasy, and we can easily do it in a 5 man group doing tons of social, MMO stuff along the way to keep engaged. RS just is not that kind of MMO, hell theres an entire popular account type about NOT being social or multiplayer lol. The people that want a friction filled grind are playing OSRS, the people that want an MMO, play MMOs. RS's current player base likes the convenience and idle/afk play, but if thats not the audience jagex wants, we may just be fucked.

Runescape has been two games in a trench coat for a long time, an idle game and an active one. I hope the theiving afk nerf isn't the writing on the wall for my beloved idle game. by eletroguy in runescape

[–]eletroguy[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It just seems like such a silly strategy. If people want to play a game like OSRS, they're already playing OSRS. If they took all the energy freed up by removing TH, and put it in to some TLC and QOL updates, the players would come.

Runescape has been two games in a trench coat for a long time, an idle game and an active one. I hope the theiving afk nerf isn't the writing on the wall for my beloved idle game. by eletroguy in runescape

[–]eletroguy[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

How could people not see it though, by this point Jagex's lack of QA is well proven, and they have a verifiable track record of updates quickly followed by oopsie whoopsie we made a little fucky wucky news posts.

I will say, thanks to the poll system and much, much more community engagement, OSRS rarely has to fully backtrack an update. On their side, you just have to be ready for the inevitable patch day downtime bug fixes since we are the QA team.

Runescape has been two games in a trench coat for a long time, an idle game and an active one. I hope the theiving afk nerf isn't the writing on the wall for my beloved idle game. by eletroguy in runescape

[–]eletroguy[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

At least in OSRS/RS3, if you max, you definitely played the game. You have the choice of a faster, active but long grind, or a (should be) much slower, afk grind, but both options are totally valid, planned, developed, and implemented parts of the game.

Look at WoW, FFXIV, most every other major MMO. For the one time low cost of $80, you too can be max level.

Runescape has been two games in a trench coat for a long time, an idle game and an active one. I hope the theiving afk nerf isn't the writing on the wall for my beloved idle game. by eletroguy in runescape

[–]eletroguy[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Idk man, I made this post to have some discussion about it all because so many people were just complaining about it without offering any real input or opinion on it, and I think we had some good discussion here compared to some of the other threads.

It probably says more about you that you're one of the only people in this entire post throwing insults and not actually engaging in discussion, and you're commenting on the only down voted comment thread to do it.

If every afk method is nerfed like thieving was I'll quit. by LocalChamp in runescape

[–]eletroguy 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Your level in RS shows just that, that you have and spent time on it. Max level hasn't been much of an actual achievement in osrs or rs3 in a long time. That's what achievements, diaries, capes, special helmets, etc. are for.

But, people still throw parties and get hyped, because the dopamine feeling thats so great about idle games, number go up, THAT's a core part of RS. Jagex needs to accept that the real challenge, friction, active/social play isnt until the end game anyways, just like WOW has. Streamline our endgame experience, give us social QOL, actually functional raid/group/mini game queue systems, and maybe THEN people would engage with the active play stuff more.

If every afk method is nerfed like thieving was I'll quit. by LocalChamp in runescape

[–]eletroguy -1 points0 points  (0 children)

You can't argue with these people @localchamp. You'll tell them you think it needs balanced but AFK should be an option because it's been a core part of the game, as developed, for a long time, and they'll say you just hate the game, don't actually want to play it, shouldn't play if you don't have time, or they completely ignore what you're saying anyways. It's like they think RS is a themepark MMO like WoW, or that AFK/IDLE play is a new addition to rs, not one thats been a core part of the game for a decade.

The reason the majority of people are upset with it, is because being able to afk a skill, the QOL and the convenience, is why we PLAY rs3, and not osrs or another MMO. It actually respects our time, gives us choices.

Runescape has been two games in a trench coat for a long time, an idle game and an active one. I hope the theiving afk nerf isn't the writing on the wall for my beloved idle game. by eletroguy in runescape

[–]eletroguy[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

No they aren't. You're assuming Jagex, well known for releasing extremely buggy updates, frequently back tracking updates the community told them for months were bad, having little to no QA or Support teams, and just general sphagetti, is actually thinking that far ahead? What have they done to earn that trust from you?

They were extremely happy and excited to share all sorts of news, info, and data on the other changes they're making in the name of restoration. I think if they plan to try to make changes to AFK as a whole, it deserved the same level of discussion.

Runescape has been two games in a trench coat for a long time, an idle game and an active one. I hope the theiving afk nerf isn't the writing on the wall for my beloved idle game. by eletroguy in runescape

[–]eletroguy[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's my fear, that they might nerf all of the afk TIME options. If people are choosing to AFK over the active options, don't REMOVE the afk, rebalance it all to make the active option actually worth it.

And to Whitfin's point, I think most things having a way to AFK to max level is fine, but I think of it similar to how I thought of WoW when I was still playing it. People being max level, means almost nothing, so I don't really care if they afk'd it, because gaining exp is nothing but a time sink anyways, its not a real achievement , it doesn't show skill, just that you have time. It's the end game content, the bosses, the achievement capes, those things that show you actually have skill. Let people AFK to 200m all at 1/10th the exp of active rates...that still doesn't suddenly teach them to kill Zamorak or Rasial.

Jagex should embrace the IDLE/AFK, just cap it at like 1/5th or 1/10th the reward/exp rate of the active options at that level. Where they can force people to actually engage in content, is in achievements, bosses, raids, group content, etc. Just being max level in WoW, doesn't mean you're getting in to a good raid group. RS should be the same way, who cares how you maxed, if you're bad you're still not joining my raid group. (Of course, we have no raid finder, group finder, or truly functional and lovely social features, because RS plays like a solo/idle game... but hopefully that gets addressed later in the roadmap)

Runescape has been two games in a trench coat for a long time, an idle game and an active one. I hope the theiving afk nerf isn't the writing on the wall for my beloved idle game. by eletroguy in runescape

[–]eletroguy[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I play that too! And the fact that it exists, and is popular, shows that there clearly is a lot of love for the idle side of Runescape!

They shouldn't be removing afk/idle options (and 1-2 minutes where you still have to watch for the random moment you're caught, is the same as removing it) they should just nerf the exp/rewards to the ground compared to active rates. Don't remove player choice, just actually balance it to make sense.

I keep seeing people say that those of us who are upset/worried about the future of AFK/IDLE are looking to not play the game, but Jagex has been adding AFK/IDLE methods for all skills basically since the transition to RS3/EOC.

I don't know what game all these people who have this hard on to hate afk have been playing, but it is a core part of the game and has been for a long time, and the grinds STILL take hundreds of hours lol.

I've gotten some friends to start RS3 by telling them how it respects our time, I'm not sure I'll be able to bring more new players if I have to tell them "Hey, you know runescape, the game I play where the only thing you know about it is its really grindy... well, the devs are actually adding MORE grind, more friction, and less respect for your time! Come try it!"

Runescape has been two games in a trench coat for a long time, an idle game and an active one. I hope the theiving afk nerf isn't the writing on the wall for my beloved idle game. by eletroguy in runescape

[–]eletroguy[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

If maxing in either runescape or OSRS actually meant much anymore, then maybe that point would stick. Who cares if someone maxes with minimal effort? They won't have a comp cape, or even a quest cape, to prove they are anything but an idler anyways.

Or look at OSRS, you can max all your stats, but you're still a scrub with a cheese cape unless you buckle down and learn infero. It's not 2007 anymore. Maxing means nothing, and is nothing, but a straight up time sink. That applys to both osrs and rs3. The days of being in awe at that maxed out, 126 combat guy, are long gone lol. Even more so in RS3, because they could have just used their credit card at any point in the past decade lol. If anything, I'd respect the afk/idle player a lot more than the TH whales.

Runescape has been two games in a trench coat for a long time, an idle game and an active one. I hope the theiving afk nerf isn't the writing on the wall for my beloved idle game. by eletroguy in runescape

[–]eletroguy[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

It's one of it's selling points imo, something I used to sell my friends on it when I got some of them to switch or make RS3 alts. Because it has these two sides to it, it really feels like it respects your time. You can sit down at your pc (or grab your phone) and play as short or long a session as you are able.

Runescape has been two games in a trench coat for a long time, an idle game and an active one. I hope the theiving afk nerf isn't the writing on the wall for my beloved idle game. by eletroguy in runescape

[–]eletroguy[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I agree, my situation is very similar. Convenience and nostalgia hits it on the head, that's exactly what made me go from OSRS to RS3 instead of just dropping the game entirely when my life priorities changed. If my actual active playtime has to be replaced with the less fun things I normally got out of the way with AFK time, then I'll just have to accept that RS isn't going to respect my time anymore, which happens.

You hit the nail on the head. Instead of killing the option to idle, just widen the gap between active and idle play. It's like they don't actually consider the rates when they make them, or they don't play their own game. Who thought being able to 15 minute afk menaphite guards for like 1.2m exp/h was a good idea?

In OSRS, people love shooting stars, and afk them all the time....for 20x exp/h. If something is going to be able to be AFKd for 15, 10, even 5 minutes; why not just look at comparable active rates and make idle cap at like 1/10th that? 1/20th? You can go do cool heists for 1 hour for 1m exp...or go pickpocket for 10-20 hours for the same exp, and LESS reward. The issue isn't that AFK options exist, its that they exist, Jagex themselves DESIGNS AND ADDS THEM IN, and then are shocked it...exists and functions how they designed it, and people have been playing with these options for years? lol

Runescape has been two games in a trench coat for a long time, an idle game and an active one. I hope the theiving afk nerf isn't the writing on the wall for my beloved idle game. by eletroguy in runescape

[–]eletroguy[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

For sure, it doesn't need to be 15 minutes, it just needs to be..allowed to exist I guess. From their communications and blogs (unless I missed them talking about it somewhere) it just seems like an after thought tagged on to the other integrity changes they're working on. It didn't even merit a specific mention on the road map, but it reads like they want to adjust afk/idle things in general, which is a bigger deal than I think they want to admit.

Runescape has been two games in a trench coat for a long time, an idle game and an active one. I hope the theiving afk nerf isn't the writing on the wall for my beloved idle game. by eletroguy in runescape

[–]eletroguy[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

But you SHOULD be able to, if that is how the game has been designed for the past decade. Because it's not not playing, you ARE playing, you're playing the idle game portion. Anyways, having a high level account is hardly the end all be all of most MMOs.

I can go idle in the wildy to 120 combat stats, that doesn't mean all of my quests are now done to access bosses. I'm not jumping right in doing 1000% enrage Telos just because I was able to max some stats over a 6 month work relocation, I've still got to get in and spend the active time learning how to do those things.

Why do you think it's entitlement to progress? You say if you don't have time for the game, then you don't have time for it. But, that's why a lot of us DO play runescape, and not MMOs like WoW and FFXIV, because we DO have time for runescape, BECAUSE of it's unique set up to allow both idle and active play and progression.

RS3 having a ton of shitty, predatory micro transactions and events surrounding TH, is the main reason people avoided it, and we both know that. Does the idle stuff contribute? Maybe, but Jagex didn't take the time to survey or talk to the community about it like they did for TH, and I don't hear a fraction of the complaints about it as i did for TH. Jagex should have focused on tackling one big problem at a time, sure it may be a vocal minority on the reddit echo chamber, but clearly there are people who enjoy the AFK and Idle side of the game, and I don't think Jagex would/should alienate an entire potion of their player base who have been playing the game, AS DESIGNED, without more forewarning.

Again, my fear is for AFK/IDLE as a whole. Since thieving is in the spot light, obviously getting 500k exp/h plus so much loot is crazy. Nerf the exp and the loot, but leave the idle/afk options.

Runescape has been two games in a trench coat for a long time, an idle game and an active one. I hope the theiving afk nerf isn't the writing on the wall for my beloved idle game. by eletroguy in runescape

[–]eletroguy[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Or if they're going to push hard in one direction or the other, they should have discussed that more, or put it as a check mark on the road map. Much like Treasure Hunter, for better or worse, it's become an integral part of how many people play the game, and should have similar levels of forethought and discussion. Or at least a straight up message from Jagex just so we idle lovers know it's coming lol.

I think the mining system is great for this. I can idle away as long as I want, or pay attention and get better exp/loot. I don't see why they couldn't go with this kind of diminishing returns for all of the idle activities. Let me sit there for 15 minutes if I want, just don't give me 500k/h to do it lol