I visit the community home relatively often and I don't consider myself very active in the forums. I don't think the place someone is meant to request access matters too much. If you actually visit the forums and post you'll hear about the high level forums (or hlf as everyone but me seems to call them) sooner or later.
Therefore, I don't think this system is worse than the previous one, where Mat would add every single player that maxed. If you want to participate, you can. I do believe, however, that the inbox message previously sent made a difference. Players were congratulated on maxing and were presented the high level forums.
The forums were presented to them as a reward, because they were (I want to believe they still are to some extent) a place where they'll be able to contact Jagex more directly, for offering feedback and generally discussing their concerns about the game. The message also encouraged them to check out the forums and participate in them and it also made clear that the forums were a privilege and not a right, something that sadly isn't happening anymore.
You may ask, could this happen again? I personally think it's possible but it would be very difficult with how accessible end game content is and how many players achieve all 99s these days. Never say never though.
Hi
22-Jun-2013 23:04:37