Jagex Cracks Down on Unofficial RuneLite Clients for OSRS

In a significant move to safeguard the integrity of Old School RuneScape (OSRS), Jagex has announced sweeping changes to its policy on third-party clients. The announcement follows the recent integration of the popular RuneLite client into the official Jagex Launcher, as well as ongoing collaboration with developers of other approved clients, such as HDOS. The new guidelines, effective after a grace period ending June 24th, aim to limit OSRS gameplay to only approved clients, marking a decisive stance against unauthorized tools. Why the Change?

For years, unofficial OSRS clients have provided players with custom plugins and quality-of-life enhancements. While many were created out of passion for the game, others crossed boundaries, offering features that undermined fair gameplay. These ranged from automated bot scripts to plugins enabling impossible actions in Player vs. Monster (PvM) and Player vs. Player (PvP) scenarios.

Jagex acknowledged that their initial guidelines for third-party clients were no longer sufficient. Over time, the limits of what was acceptable were pushed, and in some cases, exceeded. In a statement, the team emphasized their responsibility to protect the game’s economy, its competitive integrity, and its long-term health.

“We do not wish to unfairly punish anybody, but we must take necessary action to protect the game,” they explained. The New Rules

Going forward, the only clients permitted outside of Jagex’s official offerings will be those on the Approved Client List, currently including:

• RuneLite

• HDOS

Use of any other third-party clients will now be considered a breach of Jagex’s Terms and Conditions. Players caught using unapproved clients after June 24th will face a two-week ban on the first offense and permanent account bans for repeat infractions.

Jagex is also revisiting its official third-party guidelines, aiming to integrate popular, non-harmful plugins into RuneLite. For example, the removal of death animations—a community favorite—will soon be available as an official RuneLite plugin. The Future of OSRS Clients

Jagex’s announcement signals a push for greater control over how players experience the game, while also improving their official offerings. The move to restrict third-party clients coincides with efforts to modernize the game, including ongoing work on a new C++ client. By consolidating gameplay into approved tools, Jagex hopes to enhance security, prevent cheating, and maintain OSRS’s competitive balance.

The company has encouraged players to share feedback on desired features, signaling their openness to community-driven improvements. While some may view the policy as restrictive, Jagex maintains that it is a necessary step to ensure the longevity and fairness of the game.

“Together, we can solve the issue of detrimental third-party features and focus our efforts on the improvement of our own clients,” the team concluded.

With these changes, Jagex is not only drawing a line in the sand but also inviting players to shape the future of Old School RuneScape.