In a fascinating use of free will, Old School RuneScape player spent 4,304 hours catching 275,196 shrimp and 257,064 anchovies to max out his fishing skill in the worst way possible
An Old School RuneScape player made headlines for spending 4,304 hours maxing out their fishing skill through the most inefficient method possible. The achievement involved catching 275,196 shrimp and 257,064 anchovies—a valid but far from optimal training path.
The article frames this accomplishment as a philosophical exploration of free will and human agency. While most players optimize their progression routes, this player consciously chose an extraordinarily tedious alternative, demonstrating personal autonomy and the capacity to pursue self-imposed challenges within a game world.
The player has expressed surprise at the attention their achievement has garnered, stating “This is getting entirely too much attention.” Nevertheless, the story underscores the diverse ways Old School RuneScape’s dedicated community engages with the game. Rather than competing for efficiency or competitive rankings, players often find meaning in their own unconventional goals and grinds. This particular achievement is a testament to both individual persistence and OSRS’s enduring appeal, where players can set and pursue genuinely absurd challenges simply because they choose to.