The Old School RuneScape Program Manager JagexAsh is dismissing player concerns over the game’s removal of gendered options and addition of pronouns.
A screenshot from Old School RuneScape (2013), Jagex Ltd
In an update published on August 14th, Old School RuneScape developer Jagex announced, “In the updated Makeover interface, players may now choose between Body Type A and Body Type B, offering the freedom to pick either body type without the restriction of gender labels.”
Furthermore, it added, “To give you even more room for self-expression, you can now choose a preferred pronoun for your player character from the following options: He/Him, She/Her, or They/Them. You can also continue without selecting a pronoun, if that’s what you prefer. The game will use the default based on body type, similar to how it has always been.”
The developer did not stop there. It also added, “All facial hair styles can now be used with both body types.”
Screenshot of Old School RuneScape Changelog for August 14th
READ: ‘Old School RuneScape’ Removes Gender Selection In Character Creator And Adds Pronoun Options
Former World of Warcraft Team Lead Mark Kern aka Grummz reacted to this update and also shared a screenshot showing what the Makeover interface now looks like in game.
He wrote, “They just ruined OG Runescape. Mandatory and unasked for update forces ‘body types’ and ‘pronouns’ onto players.”
They just ruined OG Runescape. Mandatory and unasked for update forces “body types” and “pronouns” onto players. pic.twitter.com/8DSrwcofC1
— Grummz (@Grummz) August 14, 2024
Numerous other players have echoed similar sentiments and many of them indicate they will cancel their membership. One such user Historynerd151 wrote, “@JagexAsh we didn’t vote on this! I play RuneScape to escape from this bullshit not to be forced to see it! This WILL cost you players… I’m debating on canceling my membership.”
JagexAsh responded writing, “I wouldn’t have expected you to see it very often unless you’re switching up at the Makeover Mage really regularly, but thanks for letting me know you no longer wish to play due to players having that text option. All the best with your future gaming :)”
JagexAsh on X
READ: Report: Re-Logic’s ‘Terraria’ Removed Gender Selection 13 Years After Release In Most Recent Patch
Another user shared his disdain with the new patch with some vitriolic language writing, “JagexAsh congratulations dumba**. You took a beloved game that was universally beloved and you destroyed it with one retarded and completely unnecessary move just to pander to crazy people who don’t play your game in the first place. Now watch your player base drop.”
JagexAsh responded, “Tbh, there were similar doom predictions when we first ran Pride events, and they just didn’t seem to come true year after year, however many times social media predicted it. Thanks for the warning, though :)”
JagexAsh on X
Another user shared a screenshot of him cancelling his subscription and wrote, “Hey I tweeted at you a few days ago about chinning screen shake. You got back in touch with me, which was really cool. This isn’t. Unsubbed from two 6 month reoccuring accounts, will return when the political garbage is out of the game. Leave your sexuality at home.”
JagexAsh replied, “I’m afraid the inclusion changes released over the last years are intended to stay. I’m glad we were able to talk about the screen shake, but if this becomes the last time you’re around, thanks very much for playing, and all the best for your future gaming :)”
JagexAsh on X
Another player, Becak_xD posted, “Why is Jagex forcing gender pronouns on players?! Where is the option to even opt out?!”
She added, “It’s absurd gender politics are being forced upon players who have a view of remaining neutral or who are even against it! I don’t remember seeing a poll for this, and think this should be removed immediately. It shouldn’t even go to poll anyway! What’s going on?! How disconnected is Jagex from the player base?”
JagexAsh responded, “In all the years you’ve been playing, the game’s actually always used pronouns to refer to you in thousands of bits of text across the game. Previously players just didn’t get much choice about which, so we’ve made the game just a little more accommodating :)”
JagexAsh on X
Becak_xD responded, “My take is that it’s a topic that creates far more division than unity as you can see from the responses. Yes pronouns are always used in the English language, but Jagex is making a statement here.”
JagexAsh retorted, “i.e. if you want to be referred to with different text, we’ll let the game do that. It’s important to some people – whom we accept (that’ll be the statement, sure) – and the text really isn’t seen that much by other people so I expect others can mostly ignore it.”
JagexAsh on X
On top of being dismissive about player concerns regarding the removal of gendered options and the addition of pronouns, Grummz shared his belief that the company is contemplating making misgendering a reportable offense in the game.
Grummz posted on X, “Runescape Product manager @JagexAsh is thinking about making misgendering a reportable offense in the game. See, it doesn’t stop at pronouns. It’s a slippery slope and it is NOT going to be optional in Runescape.”
“Players are already asking for the ability to report and ban players for misgendering now,” he continued. “They are also asking that their pronouns be more visible to others in the game. If you oppose it, they say you are against inclusivity. No, we are just against SJW politics being forced into old games and forced upon other players, the majority of which have no wish for these changes or to be banned by cause they forgot to get your ‘deerkin’ pronoun wrong.”
Runescape Product manager @JagexAsh is thinking about making misgendering a reportable offense in the game.
See, it doesn’t stop at pronouns. It’s a slippery slope and it is NOT going to be optional in Runescape.
Players are already asking for the ability to report and ban… pic.twitter.com/7aNeCtEdjW
— Grummz (@Grummz) August 15, 2024
What do you make of Jagex Ash’s response to these Old School RuneScape players?
