Jagex has officially announced RuneScape 4, a new massively multiplayer online game set within the RuneScape universe. The reveal took place at RuneFest, the annual celebration for the RuneScape franchise.
Initially conceived as an expansion for RuneScape: Dragonwilds titled Shadows of Ashenfall, the project evolved significantly. Executive producer Jesse America explained that player feedback requesting more social mechanics for the survival game led the team to incorporate persistent servers, high player counts, and player-to-player trading, features more typical of a Jagex MMO. This shift in scope led to the realization that the project deserved to be its own standalone game.
RuneScape 4 is being developed using Unreal Engine. Early visuals suggest a focus on dragons, with players able to engage in combat with them and also ride them. America indicated that RuneScape 4 is a studio-wide effort, involving all of Jagex.
The future of Jagex's existing titles—RuneScape (also known as RuneScape 3), Old School RuneScape, and RuneScape: Dragonwilds—remains unconfirmed. However, America referred to RuneScape 4 as the studio's fourth pillar, implying continued support for the other games. The development of RuneScape 4 is in its early stages, with no release window, platform details, or further gameplay information yet available.