Our brand-new monthly video series kicks off today, with Mods Ayiza and Kieren covering recent happenings, what's coming up next, and a few new ideas heading to a poll on Friday, August 14th!
Our Brand-New Monthly Video Series
Today saw us release the first video of our brand-new monthly* series! Featuring Mods Ayiza and Kieren, these videos aim to cover more recent happenings with the game generally. You can expect updates on what's coming up in the near future, any changes we need to discuss, and discussions on relevant game-related topics that we think you'd find interesting. If you haven't seen it yet, give it a watch and let us know what you think! This is all new to us so we'd love to hear what you think and any changes you'd like to see so you get the most value out of watching them!
*Some months we may not have meaningful updates to share, or other commitments on-going that mean a video won't come out. Don't hate us if we miss one, there is good reason for it! We want each video feel like it was worth watching, rather than forcing ourselves to put something out for the sake of it - we hope you can appreciate our stance on this.
While these videos won't typically have a blog going alongside them, this one is a little different because we have some new shiny things that will be headed your way via a poll on Friday, August 14th! Which leads us on to...
Bingo Community Feature
Since the release of Grid Master, having an in-game Bingo system has been a core feature we've seen a lot of excitement for and one we cannot wait for you to get your hands on!
The complexities of a new grouping system and everything needed to make it function correctly are a huge undertaking, and while the team has already made considerable progress, we are going to need more time before you're able to get your hands on it in-game. We don't have an exact date to give you just yet but to manage expectations, it's likely not releasing now until early 2027 - we'll be sure to let you know as soon as we're more confident on when it will be ready. Despite the delay, we're not slowing down! A large chunk of the work that needs to be done is technical, leaving us with some additional design resource that was otherwise unavailable, so we'd like to utilise this rare opportunity!
Thanks to the team's previous work across various Game Jams, we're hoping to deliver you a few new things for September!
Bronzeman Mode
Ever wanted to play as Ironman but don't think you can commit to the later game upkeep? Are you playing as an Iron but just want to buy one troublesome resource to help your grind? Or maybe you've wanted to play like a main account while earning gear and resource unlocks yourself? Well, Bronzeman Mode is here with your solution to the above!
Official Bronzeman Mode
The most popular option in our recent quarterly survey, this community-designed game mode gives the option of playing Ironman Lite (or Diet Iron?), where you'll still have the restrictions of Ironman Mode (no trading, picking up others items, etc.) but, once you've unlocked an item yourself legitimately, you'll be able to buy and sell that item exclusively through the Grand Exchange.
While playing, you'll be able to see all of your current unlocks through a handy interface which will also show you the items you've acquired, with a built in search function that also shows your total amount of unlocks obtained. We're also hoping to include milestone ranks similar to the Collection Log, allowing you to show everyone on the HiScores what kind of Bronzeman you've become!
Earlier this year, Mods Elena, Nin & Halo spent time during Game Jam VIII working on what an official implementation of Bronzeman Mode might look like, and aside from a few additions, it's essentially ready to go!
Unbound Bronzeman Mode
One of the most popular versions of Bronzeman we've seen involves PvP, allowing unlocks from the items you gain after felling your victims. We also explored making that a reality!
Now we know this has to be separate from a more "official" version of the mode, given the nature of how items can easily be transferred by defeating your friend (or even your own alt account perhaps), but we love the idea of an alternate version available for those that want to take on the challenge with the added layer of PvP. For this reason, Unbound Bronzeman would have a separate HiScores along with a slightly different icon, similar to GIM and Unranked GIM.
The functionality of these two modes is essentially the exact same, with a few key differences being:
- Unbound Bronzeman allows item unlocks via PvP kills, whereas Official Bronzeman are unable to obtain any loot from PvP, similar to an Ironman account.
- Unbound Bronzeman allows XP gain from PvP Combat, whereas Official Bronzeman will not give any XP during PvP.
- Unbound accounts are able to obtain higher than a Tier 1 Esoteric emblem in Bounty Hunter, whereas Official Bronzeman can only obtain a Tier 1 emblem from the store.
- Unbound accounts can participate in High Stakes LMS, whereas Official Bronzeman accounts cannot. (A current Ironman restriction on Last Man Standing.)
The team are open to a different name than "Unbound" so feel free to let us know what you think this version should be called!
Downgrading
What if you're already playing an Iron account, but are fed up with the restrictions in place? Well, another area that was explored is the possibility for current Ironman accounts to downgrade into either version of Bronzeman. By doing so, you would retain (and unlock) everything you already have in your inventory, worn inventory, or bank, allowing you to then continue with the respective Bronzeman restrictions instead! Running low on supplies? As long as you've got them already, you can just go and buy them from the Grand Exchange! Boss trips will never feel so efficient!
Note: We aren't intending to unlock items that you might have had before but do not currently own, including items you have the Collection log unlock for - these items will need to be reobtained.
To preserve the HiScores for those competing against each other, any original Bronzemen accounts would be marked on the HiScores with a symbol for prestige (which will have a handy filter too!). This prestige symbol would also apply to any Ironman account that was downgraded as long as it was created after the launch of Bronzeman.
If you've been getting the itch to try Ironman but never took the plunge, or just wanting to try something different, vote for Bronzeman in the upcoming poll!
Poll Question:
Should we add the Bronzeman Mode to Old School RuneScape as described in the newspost? This is a new game mode that will give you Ironman restrictions with the caveat of being able to buy and sell items through the Grand Exchange once an item has been obtained for the first time.
A Ruff Situation
For years, in Gielinor, cat lovers have had it easy.
You've had kittens and all types of cats, even ones from Hell.
Meanwhile, poor dog lovers have had to make do with, what? The occasional pat for the Stray dog? Perhaps a Bloodhound, if you're lucky.
Well, it's about time that changed!
Who remembers Dogs of Gielinor, a pitch from our very first Game Jam blog in 2022?
Launching this September, A Ruff Situation is a Novice, members-only quest where you can help rescue dogs in need across Gielinor!
Talia and Chase have set up a Dog Shelter near Ice Mountain. Unfortunately, their operations are struggling to get off the ground, and they need your help.
You can start the quest by speaking to Talia, South of Asgarnia Monastery.
Upon completion, you can adopt your very first puppy!
The best part? As you discover more breeds throughout Gielinor, you'll be able to return to the Shelter to choose from any breeds you've unlocked!
Requirements
Rewards
Additional polled rewards:
- Access to puppies, which can be grown into dogs, similar to kittens and cats.
- Fully grown dogs (including the Bloodhound pet) to have extra utility for dog digging, allowing you to dig for treasure trail steps.
- The ability to trade fully grown dogs to an NPC near the Theatre of Blood for Blood Runes.
- 100, going up to 200 with completion of Morytania's Medium Diary.
Growing Puppies
Puppies need a little care before they grow into fully grown dogs. Unlike kittens, they won't constantly demand your attention and run away if you neglect them. They're loyal, after all!
You can feed them every so often over the course of a few hours and they'll gradually grow into adulthood.
Not ready for your little pup to grow up? No problem! If you stop feeding your puppy, its growth simply pauses, letting you keep your favourite furry friend as a puppy for as long as you like.
Clue Hunting Companions
Dogs are very loyal companions and they also have an incredible nose for finding things, so it felt natural for us to explore how they might be able to help out on your adventures across Gielinor.
Once your puppy has grown into a fully grown dog, we'd like to offer extra utility to dig up items on Treasure Trails, saving you from carrying a spade while clue hunting. This takes inspiration from the Bloodhound pet, which we'd also like to offer that extra bit of utility for.
Blood Runes
While we're expecting most of you to hold on to your beloved new four-legged friends, we're also offering an alternative if you don't plan on keeping them.
An NPC near the Theatre of Blood will happily take your companion for 100 Blood Runes. Those of you who have completed the Morytania Medium Diary will see this increase to 200 Blood Runes.
Why do they want them? Who knows...
Player Owned House Menagerie
Dogs can live happily in your POH Menagerie! You'll also be able to own multiple breeds and colours at one time.
Well, that's everything we've got for now!
Time to unleash your opinions in the poll below, and let us know what you think!
We'll be fetching your feedback in no time.
Poll Questions
Poll Question:
Would you like a new quest, A Ruff Situation, added to the game as described in the blog? Rewards from this quest are polled separately.
Poll Question:
Should puppies and dogs be added as followers upon completion of A Ruff Situation, similar to kittens and cats in Gertrude's Cat?
Poll Question:
Should fully grown dogs, and the Bloodhound, have extra utility to allow you to dig for treasure trail steps?
Poll Question:
Should we add the ability to trade grown dogs to an NPC in exchange for Blood Runes as described in the blog? (100, going up to 200 with completion of the Morytania Medium Diary)
That's all we have for now! What did you think of the new video? We hope you enjoyed this fresh take on game-related discussions but please do let us know what you think so we can make changes ahead of the next video! With RuneFest just around the corner, you'll be sure to hear more about what we've got planned! Until then, let us know what you think and get ready for the poll going live on Friday, August 14th!
