One of the longest running MMOs comes to an end as Jagex shuts RuneScape Classic

One of the longest running MMOs is coming to an end as developer Jagex is set to wave goodbye to RuneScape Classic later this year. Instead of financial difficulties, the studio has cited increasing compatibility issues as the primary reason, with the developer continuing on with its latest version of the title known as RuneScape 3.

RuneScape Classic was the very first version of the MMORPG released way back in 2001. Almost untouched by the numerous additions made to subsequent versions, Classic remained incredibly popular among the fan base.

Jagex notes that “with advancements in technology helping to further support both RuneScape and Old School RuneScape, our tools are no longer compatible with Classic. This is particularly a problem with our community safety and macro detection tools. The game is now easily abused with the use of 3rd party macro tools, and botting has become an increasing issue.”

Despite not having been officially supported for years in comparison to its counterparts, Jagex has become increasingly concerned with the lack of security the title offers its users, along with the plethora of “unrecoverable game breaking bugs,” which is steadily getting worse.

The RuneScape Classic servers will be taken offline on the 6th of August 2018, giving players just enough time to complete their current quests and say their goodbyes. Any outstanding membership time left after the date of sever closure will carry over to both RuneScape and Old School RuneScape, which preserves the 2007 version of the online game.

KitGuru Says: It’s a shame to have to wave goodbye to any title that has stood the test of time, but not many can say that they’ve lasted 17 years. Only a handful of titles such as EverQuest and Ultima Online can claim that title, while the ever-popular World of Warcraft has a few more years to play catch up. Do you still play RuneScape? Which version is your favourite?

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