Update hints

An update hint is a message which offers clues about an impending update that Jagex releases on one of its official off-site accounts. Currently Jagex posts hints on Twitter and Facebook. The hints are in the form of a picture, a different picture for each account, both referring to the same update. Together the images provide clues about an update scheduled to be released within a short time.

Response
The Twitter hints initially filled a void left by the removal of Behind the Scenes due to the time pressure they put on developers. Players missed knowing what would be released in the coming weeks, so Jagex started posting hints on Twitter which still provide players with a small amount of information about upcoming updates when they were ready to be released, thus no longer putting pressure on developers to meet a deadline.

After Behind the Scenes returned, players were given the unprecedented opportunity to see upcoming content instead of just hearing it, since previous Behind the Scenes and twitter hints were never accompanied with images. Any time a new hint is posted, players eagerly speculate on what it means, and many threads are created on the RuneScape forums containing theories and guesses.

Twitter
Jagex has four English Twitter accounts, @OfficialJagex, which is used for general Jagex news, @JagexMobile, which is used for news about Jagex's mobile games, @WarofLegends, which is used for news about War Of Legends, and @RuneScape, which is specifically for RuneScape, and is where the hints are released. The actual hints are pictures accompanied by "coming soon" message that does not offer any additional insight into the content of the hint. The images are attached to the Twitter messages using TwitPic, an image hosting service designed to be linked to a Twitter account. Jagex's TwitPic account is Runescape. Jagex also has a number of foreign language twitter accounts.

Historical
Originally, Jagex only had one Twitter account, @OfficialJagex, where all their messages were posted. However soon after Jagex made separate accounts for each of their major products. Initially the hints posted were a few sentences with no accompanying pictures. However after the return of Behind the Scenes in June 2010, the hints were changed to the current system. A list of all of these text-only twitter hints can be found here.

Facebook
Jagex started posting update hint images on their Facebook account RuneScape, on 4 July 2010, a day before the release of Love Story. The images are usually different than the ones released on Twitter, but are about the same update.On 13 July 2011, the Facebooks Svenska, Polska, Español and Norsk were removed, leaving 3 other language Facebooks left. The images are usually released on the same day, and together they can reveal many aspects of an upcoming update. Sometimes hints are also posted on the following languages Facebook pages:

Nederlands * Français * Deutsch

Hints

 * {|class="wikitable"

!Release date, first hint(s) !Twitter image hint(s) !Facebook image hint(s) !Update !Article(s) (Released: 14 September 2011) (Grandmaster quest)
 * 16 September 2011
 * Loytaltyshoptwitterhint.jpg
 * Newloyaltyrewardsbrazilfacebookhint.jpg
 * Newloyaltyrewardsbrazilfacebookhint.jpg
 * Loyalty Programme Shop, (New auras, colours, costumes, emotes, and titles)
 * 9 September 2011
 * ROTMTwitterhint.jpg
 * ROTMFacebookhint.jpg
 * ROTMTwitterhint.jpg
 * ROTMFacebookhint.jpg
 * Ritual of the Mahjarrat
 * The Ritual of the Mahjarrat
 * 26 August 2011
 * BODTwitterHint.jpg
 * BODFacebookhint.jpg
 * BODFacebookhint.jpg

(Released: 31 August 2011) (Master quest)
 * The Branches of Darkmeyer
 * Branches of Darkmeyer
 * 19 August 2011
 * Twitter hint Tzrek Jad.jpg
 * Twitter hint Tzrek Jad.jpg

(Released: 23 August 2011) (New items)
 * Facebook hint 19_8_11.png
 * New Rewards for Minigames
 * New rewards for Minigames
 * 12 August 2011
 * Twitpic_update_hint_12_august_2011.jpg
 * Dutch_facebook_hint_august_12_2011.jpg
 * Dutch_facebook_hint_august_12_2011.jpg

(Released: 17 August 2011) (minigame improvements)
 * Temple Trekking: Revamped
 * Temple Trekking rework
 * 5 August 2011
 * Twitpic_hint_5.7.11.jpg
 * fbwarriorsguild2.jpg
 * fbwarriorsguild2.jpg

(Released: 9 August 2011) (area improvements)
 * Graphical and Audio Updates
 * Graphical updates
 * 20 July 2011
 * [[file:Clan citadel twitpic hint.jpg|200px]]
 * [[file:Clancitadelfbimage6.jpg|200px]]
 * [[file:Clancitadelfbimage6.jpg|200px]]













(Released: 26 July 2011) (Clan updates)
 * Clan Citadels are Here!
 * Clan Citadels
 * 16 July 2011
 * N/A
 * [[file:Clan and clue.jpg|200px]]
 * [[file:Clan and clue.jpg|200px]]

(Released: 18 July 2011) (Event)
 * Cryptic Clue Fest 3
 * Cryptic Clue Fest III
 * 9 July 2011
 * [[file:Runescape update hint 10.7.11 - Twitpic.jpg|200px]]
 * [[file:Runescape update hint 10.7.11 - Facebook.jpg|200px]]
 * [[file:Runescape update hint 10.7.11 - Facebook.jpg|200px]]

(Released: 12 July 2011) (Firemaking, Fletching, Slayer & Woodcutting improvements)
 * Jadinko Lair
 * Jadinko Lair
 * N/A
 * [[file:Fb2.jpg|200px]]
 * N/A
 * [[file:Fb2.jpg|200px]]

(Released: 5 July 2011) (intermediate quest)
 * Salt in the Wound
 * Salt in the Wound
 * 24 June 2011
 * [[file:Twitter hint 23-7-11.jpg|200px]]
 * Facebook hint aura slot.png
 * Facebook hint aura slot.png

(Released: 28 June 2011) (New items, emotes and equipment slot)
 * Members' Loyalty Program
 * Members Loyalty Programme
 * 11 June 2011
 * Twit hint 11.06.11.jpg
 * Twit hint 11.06.11.jpg


 * fbtrollgame.jpg

(Released: 14 June 2011) (New Distraction and Diversion)
 * Troll Invasion
 * Troll Invasion
 * 4 June 2011
 * update hint.jpg
 * update hint.jpg


 * Update hint 6 June 2011.jpg

(Released: 7 June 2011) (Master quest)
 * Deadliest Catch
 * Deadliest Catch
 * 27 May 2011
 * [[file:Dung quest hint may 2011.jpg|200px]]
 * [[file:Dung quest hint may 2011.jpg|200px]]


 * 27-05-11 FB hint.jpg





(Released: 1 June 2011) (Repeatable Miniquests )
 * Fremennik Sagas
 * Fremennik Sagas
 * 21 May 2011
 * Draynor bank update hint.jpg
 * Draynor update hint.jpg
 * Draynor update hint.jpg

(Released: 25 May 2011) (New headwear) (Released: 16 May 2011) (Mining improvements) (Released: 3 May 2011) (New capes)
 * Death Hats, Draynor and Upgrades
 * Death hats
 * 14 May 2011
 * Twitter hint - Dwarf Lava Mines.jpg
 * Facebook hint - Dwarf Lava Mines.png
 * Lava Flow Mine
 * Lava Flow Mine
 * Lava-flow mine
 * 30 April 2011
 * Veterans Cape Twitter teaser.jpg
 * New capes and chicken hint.jpg
 * Capes of Distinction
 * Capes of Distinction
 * Capes of Distinction
 * 16 April 2011
 * Easter_2011_hint_1.jpg
 * Easter_2011_hint_1.jpg

(Released: 19 April 2011) (Holiday event)
 * April-16-2011hint.png
 * Holly and Hawthorn (Easter 2011)
 * 2011 Easter event
 * 9 April 2011
 * Clan camp twitter hint.jpg
 * Clan_wars_facebook_hint.jpg
 * Clan_wars_facebook_hint.jpg

(Released: 12 April 2011) (Clan updates)
 * Clan Camp, Support and Web Pages
 * Clan Camp
 * 2 April 2011
 * Hint_02.04_Twitter.jpg
 * Hint_02.04_Facebook.jpg
 * Hint_02.04_Facebook.jpg

(Released: 4 April 2011) (Magic improvements)
 * Livid Farm
 * Livid Farm
 * 25 March 2011
 * Twitter_hint_26-03-2011.jpg
 * Twitter_hint_26-03-2011.jpg

(Released: 28 March 2011) (Master quest)
 * N/A
 * A Clockwork Syringe
 * A Clockwork Syringe
 * 13 March 2011
 * Pirate hint march 2011.jpg
 * Pirate hint march 2011.jpg

(Released: 15 March 2011) Graphical updates to Trolls (Released: 8 March 2011) (Smithing improvements) (Released: 1 March 2011) (Intermediate quest) (Released: 21 February 2011) (Event) (Released: 15 February 2011) Demonic ashes Shortcuts (Prayer, Crafting & Agility improvements)
 * Troll-Update.jpg
 * Ring of Wealth, Shanties, Trolls and Dungeoneering
 * Bard Roberts and the Stanky Penguins
 * 6 March 2011
 * Artisan's Workshop update hint.jpg
 * FB Hint 6 Mar 2011.jpg
 * Artisans Workshop
 * Artisans Workshop
 * Artisans Workshop
 * 27 February 2011
 * Em4hint.jpg
 * EW4 FaceBook Hint.jpg
 * Elemental Workshop IV
 * Elemental Workshop IV
 * Elemental Workshop IV
 * 18 February 2011
 * Twitter hint 18Feb2011.jpg
 * Facebook hint 18 Feb 2011.jpg
 * Attack of the WildyWyrms!
 * Attack of the WildyWyrms!
 * WildyWyrm
 * 12 February 2011
 * Update Teaser Shortcut Improvement.jpg
 * Pottery hint fb.jpg
 * Skill Bonanza: Urns, Ashes and Shortcuts
 * Skill Bonanza: Urns, Ashes and Shortcuts
 * Urns
 * 4 February 2011
 * The Prisoner of Glouphrie Twitter hint.jpg
 * The Prisoner of Glouphrie Facebook hint.jpg
 * The Prisoner of Glouphrie Facebook hint.jpg



(Released: 9 February 2011) (Master quest)
 * Prisoner of Glouphrie and Gnome Graphical Rework
 * The Prisoner of Glouphrie
 * 28 January 2011
 * Wilderness twitter hint.jpg
 * Wilderness twitter hint.jpg


 * Wilderness_fb_hint.jpg

(Released: 1 February 2011) Trade limit
 * The Wilderness and Free Trade Return!
 * Wilderness
 * 14 January 2011
 * Hati wolf twitter hint.jpg
 * Hatiwolfhintfb.jpg
 * Hatiwolfhintfb.jpg

(Released: 17 January 2011) (Event)
 * Hati – The Winter Wolf
 * Hati
 * 7 January 2011
 * Nex_hint_1.jpg
 * Nex_hint_2.jpg
 * Nex_hint_2.jpg







(Released: 10 January 2011) Nex (GWD)
 * God Wars Dungeon - The Ancient Prison
 * Ancient Prison
 * 31 December 2010
 * 31 dec twit hint.jpg
 * Facebook_update_hint_jan_2.jpg
 * Facebook_update_hint_jan_2.jpg

(Released: 4 January 2011) (Master quest) (Released: 20 December 2010) (Event)
 * King of the Dwarves
 * King of the Dwarves
 * 17 December 2010
 * Twiiter xmas event 2010 1.jpg
 * 2010 Christmas event fbhint1.jpg
 * O' Little Town of Daemonheim (Christmas 2010)
 * O' Little Town of Daemonheim (Christmas 2010)
 * 2010 Christmas event
 * 10 December 2010
 * [[file:Hitsplat hint update image.jpg|200px]]
 * Hitsplat hint update image fb.jpg
 * Hitsplat hint update image fb.jpg

(Released: 14 December 2010) Damage soaking
 * Damage Soaking and New Hitsplats
 * Hitsplats
 * 3 December 2010
 * D def twitter.jpg
 * D def facebook.jpg
 * D def facebook.jpg







(Released: 7 December 2010) (Warriors' Guild rework)
 * Warriors' Guild and Dragon Defender
 * Dragon defender
 * 26 November 2010
 * Do No Evil hint1.jpg
 * Do No Evil hint2.jpg
 * Do No Evil hint2.jpg









(Released: 1 December 2010) (Master quest)
 * Do No Evil
 * Do No Evil
 * 12 November 2010
 * Twitpic Herblore Habitat.jpg
 * Twitpic Herblore Habitat.jpg


 * Herblore habitat.jpg







(Released: 24 November 2010) (Herblore, Farming & Hunter improvements)
 * Herblore Habitat
 * Herblore Habitat
 * 30 October 2010
 * N/A
 * Warped 1.jpg
 * Warped 1.jpg



















(Released: 2 November 2010) (New floors; batch 3)
 * Dungeoneering – The Warped Floors
 * Dungeoneering
 * 16 October 2010
 * RS Halloween 2010 twitter.jpg
 * RS Halloween 2010 twitter.jpg




 * RS halloween 2010 facebook.jpg



(Released: 18 October 2010) (Event) (Released: 12 October 2010)
 * Partying is Such Sweet Sorrow (Halloween 2010)
 * 2010 Hallowe'en event
 * 11 October 2010
 * RS twitter charmsprites.jpg
 * RS facebook hint charmsprites.jpg
 * Charm Sprite Hunting
 * Charm Sprite Hunting
 * Charm sprites (Hunter improvements)
 * 1 October 2010
 * The Void Stares Back - Twitter Hint.jpg
 * The Void Stares Back Facebook hint.jpg
 * The Void Stares Back Facebook hint.jpg



(Released: 6 October 2010) (Released: 1 October 2010)
 * The Void Stares Back
 * The Void Stares Back (Grandmaster quest)
 * 26 September 2010
 * Oktoberfest twitter hint.jpg
 * Oktoberfest twitter hint.jpg
 * Behind the Scenes - October (2010)
 * Behind the Scenes - October (2010)
 * Oktoberfest (Event)
 * 19 September 2010
 * Tweet hint 19 09 2010.jpg
 * Fb hint 19 09 2010.jpg
 * Fb hint 19 09 2010.jpg

(Released: 21 September 2010) (Released: 7 September 2010) (Elite tasks; hard for Lumbridge and Draynor Tasks) (Released: 1 September 2010) (Released: 25 August 2010) (New activity)
 * Gunnar's Ground
 * Gunnar's Ground (Novice quest)
 * 6 September 2010
 * RS Elite Achievement diary Twitter hint.jpg
 * RS Elite Achievement diary FB hint.jpg
 * Elite Achievement Diaries
 * Elite Achievement Diaries
 * Tasks
 * 31 August 2010
 * RS court cases 2 twitter hint.jpg
 * RS court cases 2 facebook.jpg
 * Court Cases: Back in Session
 * Court Cases: Back in Session
 * Court Cases (New cases; batch 2)
 * 22 August 2010
 * Rs conquest twitter hint.jpg
 * RS conquest facebook hint.jpg
 * Conquest
 * Conquest
 * Conquest
 * 15 August 2010
 * RS twitter hint dungeoneering batch 1.75.jpg
 * RS twitter hint dungeoneering batch 1.75.jpg


 * RS facebook Dungeonnering update 1,75.jpg

(Released 19 August 2010) (New floors; batch 2) (Released: 10 August 2010) (Experienced quest) (Released: 4 August 2010) (New clues and rewards) (Released: 19 July 2010) Ring of Kinship (batch 1.5) (Released: 5 July 2010) (Master quest) (Released: 24 June 2010) (Novice quest) (Released: 15 June 2010) (New Distraction and Diversion) (Released: 9 June 2010) (New Distraction and Diversion)
 * Dungeoneering - The Occult Floors
 * Dungeoneering
 * 8 August 2010
 * RS a VOID dance twitter hint.jpg
 * RS a VOID dance facebook hint.jpg
 * A Void Dance
 * A Void Dance
 * A Void Dance
 * 25 July 2010
 * RS TT UPDATE.jpg
 * RS facebook TT.jpg
 * Elite Treasure Trails and New Rewards
 * Elite Treasure Trails and New Rewards
 * Elite clue scrolls
 * 11 July 2010
 * Dungeoneering Twitter hint.jpg
 * RS Facebook dung.jpg
 * Dungeoneering Update
 * Dungeoneering Update
 * Resource dungeons
 * 4 July 2010
 * Love stories.jpg
 * Love Story Facebook.jpg
 * Love Story
 * Love Story
 * Love Story
 * 21 June 2010
 * Twitter hint void quest.jpg
 * N/A
 * Quiet Before the Swarm
 * Quiet Before the Swarm
 * Quiet Before the Swarm
 * 14 June 2010
 * Ancient Effigies.jpg
 * N/A
 * Ancient Effigies
 * Ancient Effigies
 * Ancient effigies
 * 6 June 2010
 * Court cases twitter.jpg
 * N/A
 * Court Cases
 * Court Cases
 * Court Cases
 * }

Other hints
All of these images, with the exception of first ones, hinting bloom lighting effects, are found on http://www.runescape.com/kbase/guid/media along with other images. In these images some unreleased updates are shown.