Jagex has announced a fourth RuneScape massively multiplayer online (MMO) game, which it revealed at RuneFest 2026 in Birmingham.
According to a release, the event drew over 6,000 fans to the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) over the weekend, making it the largest RuneFest to date. Jagex, the Cambridge-based developer and publisher behind RuneScape, opened the show with a set from the Manchester Video Game Orchestra, which played themes from the series with Jagex staff member Mod Ash joining it on stage. Announcements followed for RuneScape, Old School RuneScape and RuneScape: Dragonwilds.
The new MMO is still early in development and doesn't have a name yet. It is being built in Unreal Engine and will bring Gielinor, the fantasy world where RuneScape is set, to what Jagex called 'a new generation of players'. The company said it wants the game to keep the freedom and community-led spirit RuneScape has had for 25 years while using newer technology, though no release window or platforms were confirmed alongside the concept teaser.
Jagex also confirmed that work has started on an animated RuneScape adaptation. The project is a partnership with content creator Charlie 'MoistCr1TiKaL' White and Lyrical Media, a production company based in Los Angeles. Jagex hasn't yet said where or when the adaptation will be released.
RuneScape Reignited launches in December
For RuneScape itself, the headline update was Reignited, which arrives on December 2nd. Jagex has pitched it as a fresh start for new and returning players, built around a Remastered Journey, an Adventure Guide, a new in-game economy and fresh hiscores. The company described it as 'the ultimate RuneScape experience', and players will get full Reignited access without a membership from December 2nd to December 12th.
Before that, a Plugin API will launch this month, with players getting early hands-on access ahead of its full release. RuneScape's 2027 content will then be split across three story arcs, each tied to existing storylines:
- Hoard of Dragons, starting in January 2027, a sequel to the Dragon Slayer quest
- City of Gnomes, which continues a gnome storyline that began in 2002
- Secrets of Karamja, which adds a new endgame raid
Alongside the arcs, Jagex plans an Agility skill rework, new skilling and solo bosses, area expansions and a new Grandmaster Quest. It will also continue its 'Road to Restoration' quality-of-life updates, with further details available in a recap post on the RuneScape website.
Old School RuneScape opens the gates to Menaphos
Old School RuneScape (OSRS), a separate version of the game, has its own endgame raid on the way much sooner. The Fractured Archive launches on October 20th and is set in an ancient vault beneath Gielinor. It adds a streamlined Boss Rush mode and new best-in-slot rewards (the strongest gear available for a given equipment slot).
A new mode called Hardcore Worlds follows on November 4th. Jagex's description puts survival at the centre of it, with players told to stay alive while taking part in a separate game economy, joining factions led by creators and chasing world firsts.
In 2027, OSRS will open the gates to Menaphos, a city that has been closed to players for 20 years. The update continues Amascut's story through a Master-level quest called Fool's Gold. It also adds the game's first Skilling Dungeon and the Soul Altar, found inside Jalanam, the Pharaoh's Pyramid.
Other plans for next year include more of the Fairytale questline, a Quest month and Dungeons of Gielinor. A Mining and Smithing rework is also on the list, along with Chosen Commander and the Tower of Xorphoros, about which few details have been shared so far.
Dragonwilds builds towards the Blood Crystal Saga
RuneScape: Dragonwilds will get an update called Luminance in December, which serves as a prelude to next year's Blood Crystal Saga. It brings the Elves into Dragonwilds for the first time, along with the Prayer skill and elven-themed customisation for both characters and buildings.
The Blood Crystal Saga begins in early 2027 with Song of Rebellion. Its updates will add enemies such as Moss Giants, Kebbits and Implings, plus the Hunter skill, new areas, quests and gear, and housing decorations based on the classic RuneScape city of Prifddinas. Jagex also plans quarterly updates with new skills like Hunter and Slayer, and monthly ones in between covering side quests, weapons, decorations and quality-of-life fixes.
Official modding support is coming to Dragonwilds in 2027 as well, through a partnership with mod platform CurseForge. It will include dedicated creation tools and an in-game mod browser and installer. According to the release, it will be available on every platform the game is on, consoles included.
Golden Gnome Awards and new merchandise
The Golden Gnome Awards also returned at RuneFest, with 44 awards handed out to content creators, community contributors and cosplayers. Jagex has published the full list of winners in separate news posts for each game.
Jagex has also partnered with Scape Ink on a streetwear range that debuted at RuneFest, following the merchandise it sold at Deadman Live earlier this year. The Scape Ink x Old School RuneScape collection is exclusive to the RuneScape Merch Store. It includes a Slayer Hoodie and tees based on the Wise Old Man, Ancient Magicks and the Bandos Godsword, all using Scape Ink's hand-drawn artwork.
RuneScape and Old School RuneScape are available on PC, Steam, iOS and Android, with cross-platform progression between PC and mobile. RuneScape: Dragonwilds is available on PC via Steam, the Epic Games Store and the Jagex Launcher, as well as on Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
