With RuneScape: Dragonwilds bringing longtime fans and newcomers to Ashenfall, developer Jagex is gearing up for the next chapter of its MMORPG, or massive multiplayer online role-playing game, journey. As announced during this year’s RuneFest, the annual celebration of all things RuneScape, a fourth mainline entry — tentatively titled RS4 — is in the works and being developed on Unreal Engine.
An accompanying minute-long trailer doesn’t give much away, but old-timers will recognise the Wise Old Man, who’s looking better than ever, and the familiar notes of the soundtrack in the opening moments. Players can also expect to ride and fight alongside dragons in the game, which is set in the same world in the Sixth Age, years after the events of Dragonwilds. There’s no release date just yet, with Jagex confirming that it’s “still a few years away”.
The official blurb reads, “Headlining RuneFest was the first glimpse of an ambitious new chapter for RuneScape: a fourth RuneScape MMO, built for a new generation of players. Still early in development, the as-yet-unnamed title will bring the world of Gielinor to life in Unreal Engine, combining the depth, freedom and community-led spirit that have defined RuneScape for 25 years with the technology and game design possibilities of today.”
RS4 will add to the team’s current offerings that include RuneScape, Old School RuneScape, and Dragonwilds, and isn’t meant to replace any of them. Instead, it’s designed to “sit alongside them as an additional way to experience RuneScape and the world of Gielinor,” coming 25 years after its initial release. The long-running title has welcomed over 300 million player accounts since, with the forthcoming instalment originally conceived as an expansion to Dragonwilds.
As part of its plans to expand beyond gaming, Jagex is also partnering with YouTuber MoistCr1TiKaL on a new animated adaptation. Development is in the early stages, and more details will be unveiled next year. Other major RuneFest announcements include RuneScape Reignited, a fresh take on the MMORPG launching on 2 December that introduces a sequel to the popular “Dragon Slayer” quest, a new Secrets of Karamja endgame raid, an Agility Skill rework, and more, an updated roadmap for Old School RuneScape, and the Blood Crystal Saga for Dragonwilds.
It’s not all excitement, however — the use of generative AI in a cinematic reveal for the Dragon Slayer sequel quest has drawn ire from fans, especially since the studio reinforced its stance against it only a few days ago. “This trailer was produced by a trusted external partner who had explicitly confirmed that GenAI would not be used. But, among other things, there’s a sixth finger and, well, that’s pretty hard to explain away. For that we apologise,” clarified Jagex.
“Our position is clear at Jagex: we don’t use GenAI to create our games, artwork or creative assets, and will not knowingly allow it to be used on our behalf. This is the second time in quick succession that concerns about generative AI have arisen through partners we trusted, and for us that highlights an issue with our own processes which we must address.”
A release date has yet to be set for both RS4 and the animated RuneScape adaptation.
Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.
