Old School RuneScape has always been more than a game about clicking rocks, grinding skills, or chasing efficiency. At its heart, it is a living archive of memories, personalities, and shared history—and few people embody that spirit more completely than Mod Ash. In a recent episode of the official Old School RuneScape podcast, players were given a rare, expansive look behind the scenes, not just into development philosophy, but into the mind of the man many affectionately call "God Ash.”

Hosted by Mod Aiza and Mod Sween, the conversation unfolded less like a formal interview and more like a trip down memory lane—equal parts technical insight, absurd anecdotes, and genuine emotion. It was a reminder of why OSRS gold continues to resonate so deeply with its community over two decades after RuneScape first appeared on the internet.

From Pub Chats to Live Streams

One of the earliest themes of the discussion was nostalgia—not just for the game itself, but for how Jagex used to operate. Mod Ash reflected on the era when Old School live streams happened weekly, with developers packed onto couches in the same room, answering questions in real time. While those sessions could become repetitive or exhausting, they fostered a sense of closeness that's harder to replicate in a world of remote work.

Stories flowed freely: post-stream pub visits, inside jokes from Twitch chat, and legendary moments like Mod Alfie eating a raw onion live on stream as part of a forgotten in-game wager. These unscripted moments weren't just entertaining—they humanized the developers and strengthened the bond between players and the people building their world.

Still Coding, Still Caring

Although Mod Ash now serves primarily as a product manager, his hands are far from idle. He revealed that he's been helping with Sailing, Old School RuneScape's first-ever new skill, assisting the development team by polishing features and clearing technical backlogs. From crew-based ship repairs to fine-tuning mechanics, Ash has quietly returned to RuneScript, contributing wherever his experience can help push the project over the finish line.

What stood out wasn't the specific features, but his enthusiasm. After watching the Sailing team work for over a year and a half, Ash described how satisfying it felt to once again leave his fingerprints in the codebase. It was less about ownership and more about stewardship—ensuring the feature lives up to Old School's standards.

What "Old School” Really Means

A major topic of discussion was identity. How does Old School RuneScape remain "old school” while continuing to evolve in 2025?

For Mod Ash, the answer has always been community alignment. From the moment OSRS was revived, the goal wasn't simply to preserve a snapshot of 2007, but to correct the course—to build the version of RuneScape players wished they had. This philosophy gave rise to polling, high pass thresholds, and an almost obsessive commitment to player feedback.

Sailing, a highly polarizing proposal, was handled differently from past attempts like Warding. Instead of presenting a finished concept, Jagex first asked a simple question: do you even want a new skill? From there, the idea was narrowed step by step, each stage validated by player surveys and polls. According to Ash, the consistently strong support for Sailing—and later for its individual features—has reinforced confidence that the team is still walking the right path.

A Different Way to Play

The conversation eventually turned inward, revealing how Mod Ash played RuneScape before joining Jagex. His self-imposed rules would feel alien to many modern players. For a long time, he refused to fire arrows unless absolutely required, earning Ranged XP through oddities like Gnomeball. He obsessed over keeping his skill levels balanced, inspired by forum threads where players manually calculated the standard deviation of their stats.

These quirks weren't for show. They weren't content ideas or challenges shared online. They were private joys—ways of finding fun in a sandbox with no rules telling him how to play.

That philosophy shapes how Ash views modern efficiency culture. While he understands why players chase optimal XP rates and guide-driven progression, he worries about new players being told there is a "correct” way to experience RuneScape. In his eyes, suggesting activities is fine—insisting on them is not.

RuneScape, he argued, should feel like visiting a new city. Recommendations enrich the experience. Following someone around and correcting every decision does not.

The Game as a Social Space

Ash's reflections highlighted something easy to forget: RuneScape was once closer to a chat room than a traditional MMO. Players logged in not just to train skills, but to talk—to share life stories while fishing or woodcutting. Even mainstream media noticed. A Wall Street Journal article once dismissed RuneScape as "not much of a game,” but acknowledged its power as a social platform.

Ironically, that critique captured part of its magic.

For Ash, RuneScape's interconnected skill systems—fletching leading to ranged, crafting feeding combat—were what hooked him initially. But what kept him invested was the freedom to do strange, inefficient, but personally satisfying things. Wearing obscure outfits. Grinding niche content. Playing simply because you could.

Popularity, Fame, and Perspective

Despite being one of the most recognizable figures in OSRS, Mod Ash remains baffled by personal fame. He's always comfortable talking to players—about the game, about systems, about feedback—but struggles to understand why people care about him as an individual.

Yet, he also recognizes what that attention represents. RuneScape mattered to players, just as it once mattered deeply to him. If remembering the faces behind the game is a sign of that impact, he's willing to accept it—even if it still feels strange.

His anecdotes ranged from being recognized in cafés to a surreal evening where a mysterious industry professional bought him wagyu burgers and drinks, only to vanish without a trace. Whether that person worked at Jagex or not remains a mystery—but it perfectly captured the oddity of being Mod Ash in the wild.

Creative Freedom and Lasting Pride

When asked about his proudest moment at Jagex, Ash didn't hesitate: Making Friends with My Arm. The quest stands as a rare example where he had nearly total creative control—writing the story, dialogue, code, environment layout, and even the music.

It's absurd, heartfelt, and unmistakably Old School. From troll wedding vows to recurring musical motifs, the quest represents the kind of playful creativity that defines buy RuneScape gold at its best. That players still enjoy it years later is a point of genuine pride.

A Legacy That Can't Be Undone

As the podcast drew toward its close, the tone shifted from nostalgic to reflective. Ash spoke candidly about time, age, and the changing industry. Owners may come and go. Systems will evolve. But what RuneScape has meant to people—and what it continues to mean—cannot be erased.

For someone who started as a player clicking rocks in the early 2000s, that legacy is enough.

Old School RuneScape endures not because it refuses to change, but because it remembers why it exists. And as long as voices like Mod Ash's help guide it forward, Gielinor's soul remains in safe hands.