This is not against Americans or anything but I'm just curious as to why Jagex celebrates the 4th of July even though it's meant for mostly Americans. I don't really know too much of their history so the event does not have much importance to me or to maybe others too.

 

And knowing that, why don't they celebrate the world and not just one country? Like a world hat or something neutral. Not sure if Americans make up most of their fanbase, but I'm just confused as to why they thought to do it. Did they ever explain?

 

Anyways, for all you Americans, hope you have a great day today!  :D  

I presume it's mainly to cater to their American players...much in the same way that they have Thanksgiving (although that is celebrated a little more widely I think?). I do remember that had Oktoberfest or something at some point.

 

It's all good for a couple of laughs and a silly hat though, I suppose :-P.

 

Edit: a few interesting statistics here. And some demographics from Youtube video views here. Just in case anyone is curious :P.

Is there a 4th of July event this year? I haven't heard anything regarding it.

Yeah sort of, there's an NPC 'Sam' (after Uncle Sam) in the beach party area near the bank:

 

 

Occasionally balloons will drop, and if you pop a few you have a chance at attaining Sam's hat (which I'm wearing in the picture).

Canada Day was on July 1st. Where's my maple leaf hat?

Yeah sort of, there's an NPC 'Sam' (after Uncle Sam) in the beach party area near the bank:

 

 

Occasionally balloons will drop, and if you pop a few you have a chance at attaining Sam's hat (which I'm wearing in the picture).

 

Clutch, thanks. Didn't know that it appeared this year as I couldn't find it where it was last year.

 

I always liked how Jagex gave a nod to the American players with this event, even though they've never celebrated the fourth of July once in their lives.

I believe it's to entice American players to celebrate on Runescape instead of going out and enjoying fireworks or barbecues. That's why it's such a fun event with fulfilling rewards that brings players from all nationalities American pride.

Or an employee had 20 minutes to kill on Thursday. One of the two.

Hey Jagex, Australia called.

I think a large part of it has to do with how well known a holiday is.

 

Most national holidays aren't really known beyond their own country, but due to the historical significance of 4th of July and Thanksgiving they are kind known by a lot of people regardless of nationality so a little nod to them makes sense.

 

Comparatively they don't do a Guy Fawkes event which is a British holiday that is largely unknown outside Britain.

 

Of course the PR value is real too, since they do barely any work for the american ones largely recycling year after year but it panders to the large american user base.

Ever heard the song "It's my party and I'll cry if I want to"?

Probably the same thinking behind the American crew of those who created the celebration on Runescape. I'm not American and the celebration doesn't bother me.

 

However, I do find it odd when some of these celebrations and events, and particularly their costumes, don't exactly go with the era Runescape is themed to be set in - kind of distracts from the fantasy.

However, I do find it odd when some of these celebrations and events, and particularly their costumes, don't exactly go with the era Runescape is themed to be set in - kind of distracts from the fantasy.

That's largely why I stopped paying attention to holiday events last few years (that, and the shift from mini-quests with fun rewards that take less than an hour to massive, multi-day community events); Jagex have put a lot of time and effort into crafting a unique world with its own brand of interesting immersion, then they do something "fun" and silly like this that utterly destroys that immersion by reminding us of the Real World that a lot of us are trying to get away from for a little bit.