OSRS Gold's PvP element, called"The Duel Arena, will also have stricter rules in place. Jagex declares that the feature "has been a trigger for this toxic behaviour", and that 38 per cent of all bans for RWT activities up to now are due to this part in the game. It claims that this equates approximately "thousands of bans per month".

The developer appears to have chosen the nuclear option, saying "we're looking in the long-term to phase down the Duel Arena out of RuneScape completely." In the meantime it will introduce "some small-scale actions" to get rid of PvP "until our development teams can deliver major updates that completely will replace the Duel Arena next year."

They will also have a limit on the amount of GP or gold point which players can stake on an event at the Duel Arena. Players can place bets "no higher than $50m GP per duel". Additional measures aren't defined yet.

Jagex claims that "a brand new experience that'll become part of an ongoing Elder God Wars storyline" will replace Duel Arena in the early 2022 timeframe But no other details have been announced yet.

Although the effect of these changes remain to be judged the effects of these changes are among the strongest measures any studio has attempted to stop external abuse of its systems in pursuit of real-world monetary gain. If successful, similar approaches are likely to be implemented across the MMO space in future.

Jagex has announced that, after 18 years of being the battlefield for PvP, Duel Arena will be ending its presence in RuneScape and a new region will be added. RuneScape will launch Het's Oasis that will have a completely different landscape, new skilling methods and two new mini-quests available to play.

The game will begin today with Oasis Restoration the players will be charged to transform the Duel Arena following a cataclysmic earthquake that has destroyed the entire area. Players must team up to make into a new arena from "a bloodthirsty fight pit in which heroes have been staking their fortunes in one-on-one battles as well as a tranquil haven."

Players will rebuild the area and take on daily tasks which earn them rewards according to their performance. Anyone who takes part in the community event will receive exclusive event rewards including a brand new name, a crocodile as a pet Buy RS Gold, desert-themed cosmetic armour, and the footwear of the 'Gators.