RuneScape 4 Announced: Jagex Reveals New Unreal Engine MMO

Jagex has announced a fourth RuneScape MMO, built in Unreal Engine and set in the Sixth Age, plus an animated adaptation with MoistCr1TiKaL.

Did you ever think you'd see a new RuneScape MMO? Well, Jagex just announced one at RuneFest in Birmingham, England. It's a fourth RuneScape game, built in Unreal Engine, and it's coming... eventually. The project is still in early development, so don't expect a release for at least a few years. It doesn't even have an official title yet—Jagex is calling it RS4 as a working title.

So what do we know? The game 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." That's a mouthful, but it basically means modern visuals and design. Jagex currently runs RuneScape, Old School RuneScape, and the spinoff RuneScape: Dragonwilds. This new one is not a replacement for any of them. Each has its own dedicated team and will continue to get updates. As Jagex puts it, "We'll be designing RS4 to sit alongside them as an additional way to experience RuneScape and the world of Gielinor."

Story-wise, RS4 is set in Gielinor during the Sixth Age, but it begins in Ashenfall—a landmass to the north-east that was first explored in Dragonwilds. The game takes place years after the events of Dragonwilds and the destruction of the Dragon Queen Kuldra. Time has passed, the world has moved on, and Ashenfall has changed. But that's just the starting point. Jagex says the adventure will grow beyond Ashenfall over time, moving into familiar places and opening up new stories across Gielinor.

Why announce it so early? In a blog post, Jagex explained it wants to build on the tech development from Dragonwilds and lean on the community co-development it established through RuneScape and Old School. They think having different RuneScape experiences can make the whole family stronger. Players might spend most of their time in one game, move between several, or discover Gielinor for the first time through RS4. The ambition isn't to replace the games you love—it's to make the RuneScape universe bigger.

But that's not all. Jagex also announced a new RuneScape animated adaptation, partnering with YouTuber Charlie White (aka MoistCr1TiKaL) and LA-based production company Lyrical Media. The goal is to bring the world, characters, and stories of Gielinor to life in a new animated format. No release date or platform details yet, but it's another sign Jagex wants to expand the franchise beyond games.

RuneScape has been around for 25 years and has seen over 300 million player accounts created. It's one of the longest-running video games in the world. With RS4 and an animated series, Jagex is clearly looking to the future. So, what do you think? Are you excited for a new RuneScape MMO, or are you happy with the current ones? Will you be picking this up when it eventually launches? Let us know in the comments!