Old School RuneScape Player Stages Boston Tea Party Protest Against MMO's perceived excessive taxation by British developer: "They should have understood by now."
In the realm of Old School RuneScape, players found themselves slapped with a 100% increase on taxes, jacking the Grand Exchange market rate skyward from a mild 1% to a hair-raising 2%. The classic MMO is known for its rebellious spirit, so instead of meekly accepting this monetary onslaught, players reacted like medieval serfs and staged a full-blown uprising.
One audacious Reddit user, christened Jesus-Bacon, decided to execute a grand act of defiance with an OSRS take on the Boston Tea Party. Chanting "no taxation without representation," they spearheaded the rebellion, auctioning off tea sets and chucking their digital teacups into the harbor in a nod to the historical event[3][5].
"You think the British would have learned by now?" a fiery post title read, as the community came together to voice their displeasure[4]. Ranging from medieval farmers to the US's tariff-happy Trump administration, players thoroughly enjoyed this "casual doubling of our taxes."
Jagex, the British developers of OSRS, have staff members sporting gold crowns in-game, making it quite literal: players were sticking multiple fingers up to the crown.
Interestingly, the Old School RuneScape (OSRS) economy is not all that dissimilar to the real world, with alchables being the game's version of gold coins. Alchables are items converted into gold through High Alchemy, serving as an effective price floor for high-volume goods.
The debate that ensued echoed real-world economic discussions, with different players advocating for higher taxes on the wealthy and arguing for progressive tax systems. Some suggested a progressive tax that increases based on bank worth, with 2% for those with 100m GP and a staggering 50% for players owning all three mega rares[4].
On the flip side, the self-declared OSRS billionaire community argued for lower taxes on the middle- and lower-class players, suggesting that their impact on the economy would be more significant[4].
This tax increase was announced by Jagex on May 29, and was framed as a means of removing more gold from the game to combat inflation fueled by an ongoing influx of gold[1]. Jagex aims to keep Old School's economy thriving, with the tax serving as a crucial Gold Sink to control inflation[2].
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Oppositely, some players believe that Jagex could better allocate the tax revenue towards improving game infrastructure, such as addressing RuneScape's woeful road conditions[1].
Remarkably, the OSRS community has shown the same resilience as its counterparts in the real world. Final Fantasy MMO developers received support from players to keep the game alive, highlighting the passion and commitment that gamers have for their virtual economies and ecosystems[5].
- Despite the Higher taxes on the Grand Exchange market in Old School RuneScape, players are reacting fiercely, resembling medieval serfs, staging a rebellion that echoes historical events, such as the Boston Tea Party.
- In an attempt to challenge the increased taxes, a Reddit user named Jesus-Bacon led an auction of tea sets and threw digital teacups into the harbor, symbolizing their discontent much like the original event.
- The OSRS community, consisting of various characters from medieval farmers to modern-day political figures, is now fully engaged in economic discourse, debating progressive tax systems and the wealthiest players' taxes.
- Jagex, the developers of Old School RuneScape, have implemented an inflation-combatting tax, intending to create a Gold Sink that keeps the economy thriving.
- Unsatisfied with the use of tax revenue, some players propose that money should be invested in game infrastructure improvements, citing the poor road conditions in RuneScape as an example.
