Old School RuneScape has an update on the upcoming official clients, what this means for available modes, the mobile version, and approved third-party clients like RuneLite.
The team announced an official HD mode and a new client plug-in API at the 2023 Winter Summit. These additions will bring OSRS in line with some of the third party clients like RuneLite and HDOS, and will also extend to the mobile version of the game, offering new options.
HD and SD will both be options when the new client experience is available. The team has an internal beta and they've been working to make sure that HD looks in line with expectations for an HP gaming experience. The core HD experience features updates to the game world, including unique lighting. All of this is still in development because they are optimizing performance on different platforms and making sure that you can switch between them as soon as seamlessly as possible. SD mode will still be available and that will be the classic experience you know and love.
The plug-in API is also on the way for both desktop and mobile. This will eventually give the community the ability to create their own plugins using these tools and share with others. Of course, this brings up the issue of security. Before they open this up more widely, they have to determine how to keep this safe as possible. Jagex is working with a few developers and plug-in makers to get things rolling and they will start creating plugins through the API soon. The team is working on moderation milestones.
With the arrival of the improved official client, the Legacy Java client will be retired.
The mobile version will also have a UI rework, which accompanies HD mode and SD mode and the plugins changes. they're also working on making the mobile client more like the desktop one.
A number of quality of life changes are also on the way, many via community requests like the ability to view high scores, sub menus inside the mini menu to organize things better, and even bank tags.
