Runescape Classic, the retro version of the MMORPG Runescape, will soon be expanded with a second raid, through which players can obtain the Justiciar armor. However, the design of the armor made the community go wild.
Runescape is getting a new raid – which also needs rewards and armor sets. They need to be designed.
Originally, it was planned to offer three armors as loot. However, since players stated that there were already enough DPS armors in the game, the studio Jagex decided to offer only one version: a tank armor.
Runescape did listen to the players, but then the problems began: The designs of the original three armors were discarded and a new one was created – and the new design caused quite a stir.
New armor design faces criticism
The design of the Justiciar armor was anything but well received by Runescape fans. This led to a flood of memes ridiculing the design.
The Runescape developers did not anticipate such negative feedback. Not only did the fans dislike the armor. It also looked very similar to the Armadyl armor from Runescape 3, the modern Runescape. This was an absolute no-go for the retro fans. The community even wondered if the artist at Jagex had been replaced, as the design of the originally planned armors was well received, but the new one was not at all.
After the fans vented their frustrations about the design, they became creative. They began to suggest ideas for how the armor could be improved.
Finally, the amateur artist legend_arts presented a design that was so well received in the community that the designer at Jagex, Connor “Mod West” Westrope, used it as a basis to redesign the Justiciar armor. And he even did so live on a Twitch stream.
Players create new design
The new design of the armor and its implementation for the game are now very well received by Runescape players.
The community is glad that this situation led to such collaboration. They are proud that they could create a new, cool armor for the MMORPG together.
Connor Westrope does not feel attacked in his “honor” as an artist. He explains that it is important to take criticism seriously and he is also happy that players were able to be more involved in the development process.
The Justiciar armor will be available as loot in the upcoming Raid The Theater of Blood of the Old-School MMORPG Runescape.
A mobile version of the MMORPG Runescape is expected to launch later this year.
