The WoW-OSRS Migration Nobody Saw Coming

Summary

Old School Runescape (OSRS) is seeing an influx of World of Warcraft (WoW) players, causing the game’s servers to be pushed to their limits. This surge, driven by streamers and positive feedback from WoW communities, has led to issues like server crashes, account rollbacks, and item duplication bugs. Despite these challenges, OSRS continues to thrive, with a significant increase in active players, including over 200,000 concurrent players. The game’s commitment to avoiding microtransactions and engaging with players sets it apart from other MMOs, attracting a loyal fanbase, including WoW refugees.

Takeaways

• 😀 Old School Runescape (OSRS) is experiencing a surge in popularity due to an influx of World of Warcraft (WoW) players.
• 😀 OSRS servers are struggling with technical issues like bugs, account rollbacks, and duplication problems due to the massive influx of new players.
• 😀 On one random Monday morning, OSRS had 153,000 players logged in, with a peak of 203,000 concurrent players the previous day.
• 😀 Many WoW streamers have transitioned to playing OSRS, which has brought along their viewers, contributing to the game's increasing player numbers.
• 😀 Players are trying out OSRS due to streamers' positive experiences, advertising, and the absence of microtransactions, a common issue in other MMOs.
• 😀 OSRS developers (Jagex) have made efforts to engage with WoW players, including opening up feedback channels and interacting with streamers.
• 😀 OSRS is capitalizing on the fear of missing out (FOMO) and the appeal of a microtransaction-free experience, attracting players from other MMOs.
• 😀 The influx of WoW players has led to technical glitches, including account rollbacks and item duplications, with many players losing valuable items.
• 😀 Some players reported rollbacks, with instances of gaining and losing items, like the duplication of blue dragon scales by an Iron Man player.
• 😀 Despite the glitches, Jagex is actively investigating and addressing these issues, promising to restore lost items and catch those who exploited bugs.
• 😀 OSRS is gaining traction through advertising campaigns targeting players from other MMOs, and their efforts seem to be working as they continue to break player count records.

Q & A

Why are Old School Runescape servers under pressure?

The servers are under pressure due to a significant influx of new players, especially from the World of Warcraft (WoW) community. This surge in player numbers is causing issues such as server crashes, account rollbacks, and item duplication bugs.

How many players were logged into Old School Runescape at the time of filming?

At the time of filming, there were 153,000 players logged into Old School Runescape. The next day, the number surged to 203,000 concurrent players.

What role did WoW streamers play in the rise of Old School Runescape's popularity?

WoW streamers played a key role by transitioning to Old School Runescape and actively streaming the game. Their influence encouraged many of their viewers to join the game as well, contributing to the surge in player numbers.

What is the 'Platinum Age' of Old School Runescape?

The 'Platinum Age' refers to the current era of Old School Runescape, which is experiencing unprecedented growth and popularity. The term is used to signify that the game's golden age has passed, with the 2007 era considered its golden age.

How is Old School Runescape marketing itself to attract players from other MMOs?

Old School Runescape has been targeting players from other MMOs through advertisements. The game highlights its lack of microtransactions and the direct communication between developers and the player base as major selling points.

What makes Old School Runescape different from other MMOs in terms of microtransactions?

Old School Runescape distinguishes itself from other MMOs by having a strict policy against microtransactions. The developers have also reduced microtransactions significantly in Runescape 3, which has resonated with players who are frustrated by microtransaction-heavy games.

What were some of the issues experienced by players due to the server overload?

Due to the server overload, players experienced issues such as account rollbacks, where progress or items were lost. There were also reports of item duplication bugs affecting players, particularly with high-value items like the Elijah spirit shield.

What steps has Jagex taken to address the issues caused by server overload?

Jagex has acknowledged the issues and is actively investigating and addressing them. They have fixed the item duplication bug and have not issued a global rollback, opting instead to manually review the accounts of players affected by the issues.

What did the video mention about the positive feedback between WoW streamers and the Old School Runescape team?

The video highlighted that the developers of Old School Runescape (JMods) have been engaging in open conversations with WoW players and streamers, seeking feedback and offering a more community-driven approach compared to other game developers who are less communicative.

What merchandise was mentioned in the video, and how can viewers purchase it?

The video mentioned Old School Runescape-themed merchandise available at rschronicles.com, such as desk mats, posters, shirts, hoodies, and phone cases. A promo code 'wow' was offered for a 10% discount on purchases until Thursday.