Honestly:
Jagex evolved a text-based game into a graphical one, pushing their medium a step further (Runescape was originally a MUD - TMYK)
Jagex practically loving pioneered web games (actually Runescape is still pretty unique in that it's a web-based game not based around waiting for stuff)
Their fees were never that steep honestly get over it, yes they locked a lot of stuff away but the modern industry is worse - if they were doing something with a retail product odds are there wouldn't be a free component at all
They're also working on a HTML5 client for Runescape, pushing for new tech adoption that will benefit everyone
Also apparently the new combat system is available to free players and the entire loving game is different from last time I was bored enough to look at it. They're certainly not neglecting free players
Runescape might not be a particularly great game but it's a pretty big piece of gaming culture and history at this point, and Jagex themselves as a company are pretty loving cool. I can't honestly see them taking a lot of creative control over the game, so really, nothing to worry about here.
