After 25 years, RuneScape is getting a new MMO. At RuneFest 2026, Jagex announced RuneScape 4, an all-new MMO built in Unreal Engine. The surprise: the project started as a planned expansion for the survival game Dragonwilds. The bad news: it is still years away.
Quick facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | RS4 (working title) |
| Developer | Jagex |
| Genre | MMORPG, built in Unreal Engine |
| Setting | Gielinor, starting in Ashenfall |
| Release | No date, “a few years away” |
| Platforms | Not announced |
| Announced at | RuneFest 2026, October 3 |
What is RuneScape 4?
Jagex describes RS4 as “an entirely new RuneScape MMORPG, built in Unreal Engine and set in the world of Gielinor”. It takes place in the Sixth Age and begins in Ashenfall, the landmass north-east of Gielinor that players first explored in RuneScape: Dragonwilds, years after the events of Dragonwilds and the destruction of the Dragon Queen Kuldra. Jagex says the world will grow far beyond Ashenfall over time.
RS4 is only a working title. Jagex says it “isn't necessarily the name we'll eventually settle on” and chose it because this is the fourth generation of RuneScape. The studio has not specified which version of Unreal Engine it uses.
The CGI teaser shows a medieval town in a green valley under floating islands, a dragon rider attacked by a three-headed dragon, and a wizard welcoming a new adventurer.
From expansion to standalone game
According to PC Gamer and MMORPG.com, RS4 began as a 2027 expansion for Dragonwilds aimed at persistent servers, high player counts and social features. During playtesting, players asked for a more traditional MMO experience, and the team concluded it deserved to be its own game, Jagex’s fourth pillar alongside RuneScape, Old School RuneScape and Dragonwilds.
Jagex lists three principles for RS4: integrity, permanent progression and community-driven development. It wants to “build with you, not just for you” and has opened an interest page at play.runescape.com/4.
Will RS4 replace Old School RuneScape?
No. It was the community’s first question, and Jagex answered it directly: RS4 is not a replacement for Old School, RuneScape or Dragonwilds. Those games keep their own teams, roadmaps and continued investment. The clearest proof is that all three got busy update schedules at the same event.
RuneScape Reignited: a new character type, ten days free
RuneScape (the main game, often called RS3) gets its biggest change in years: Reignited, a new permanent character type launching December 2, 2026. Reignited characters have their own economy, Grand Exchange and hiscores, with no paid progression. Jagex lists what is gone for these characters: Dailyscape, Auras and real-money items.
Reignited characters share worlds with existing (Veteran) characters and also get Reignited-only worlds. The two types cannot trade but can join the same clans. From December 2 to December 12, Reignited characters get free membership.
RuneScape’s 2027 roadmap is split into arcs of about four months: Hoard of Dragons (January, with Dragon Slayer II and an Agility rework), The City of Gnomes (summer) and Secrets of Karamja with a new raid.
What’s new for Old School RuneScape and Dragonwilds?
- Old School RuneScape, October 20: The Fractured Archive, a new raid in the caverns below Lumbridge.
- Old School RuneScape, November 4: Hardcore Worlds, with separate worlds and economy, one life and no XP boosts.
- Old School RuneScape, 2027 proposals: Menaphos, Fairytale III and reworked Mining and Smithing. These still have to pass a player poll.
- Dragonwilds: the game reached 1.0 on September 15, 2026, gets a free update in December and will support mods through CurseForge in the first half of 2027.
OtaHub’s take
RuneScape, launched in 2001, is one of the longest-running MMOs still online. Jagex building a whole new MMO instead of patching its old engine is a notable move, especially since it grew out of real feedback from Dragonwilds players.
Just don’t expect it soon: “a few years” in MMO terms usually means a long wait, and there are no platforms or business model yet. If you want to return to Gielinor now, the best moment is December 2, when Reignited launches with ten days of free membership.
FAQ about RuneScape 4
When does RuneScape 4 come out?
There is no date. Jagex says RS4 is at the very beginning of development and a few years away, with more details next year.
Will RuneScape 4 replace Old School RuneScape?
No. Jagex says RS4 is not a replacement for Old School, RuneScape or Dragonwilds, which keep their own teams and roadmaps.
What platforms will RuneScape 4 be on?
None have been announced. Jagex has only confirmed that it is built in Unreal Engine.
What is RuneScape Reignited?
A new permanent character type in RuneScape launching December 2, 2026. Reignited characters have their own economy and hiscores, no paid progression, cannot trade with existing characters, and get free membership from December 2 to December 12.
How do I sign up for RuneScape 4 news?
Jagex has an interest page at play.runescape.com/4 and says it will develop the game together with the community from the start.
Sources: Jagex (play.runescape.com/4, RuneScape and Old School RuneScape news), PC Gamer, GamesRadar+, MMORPG.com, RPG Site, TechPowerUp, Insider Gaming, Steam.