Jagex Announces ‘RuneScape 4’ and Massive Overhauls at RuneFest 2026

RuneFest 2026 has officially wrapped, and Jagex pulled no punches, delivering a massive slate of announcements for the future of its flagship MMORPG franchise. The biggest headline from the event is the confirmation that a new, fourth RuneScape title—currently carrying the working title ‘RS4’—is officially in development. Built on Unreal Engine, the project is positioned as a next-gen evolution of the series, aiming to leverage modern gaming technology and design, though Jagex has yet to provide a release window.

RuneScape Reignited and Roadmap Updates

While the future looks big, Jagex isn’t ignoring the present. ‘RuneScape Reignited’ launches on December 2, a project the studio describes as a ‘defining moment’ meant to draw back lapsed players and invigorate the current community. It introduces a Remastered Journey, an Adventure Guide, a brand-new economy, and refreshed high scores. To encourage adoption, the studio is offering free Reignited Access for all players, membership-free, from December 2 to 12.

Beyond Reignited, the studio revealed its most expansive roadmap to date for 2027. The content is split into three story arcs: ‘Hoard of Dragons’ in January, ‘City of Gnomes,’ and the ‘Secrets of Karamja’ endgame raid. Players can also look forward to an Agility skill rework and a new Grandmaster Quest.

Old School and Dragonwilds Expansions

Old School RuneScape is also seeing major additions, most notably the long-awaited opening of the Golden Gates to Menaphos. The roadmap includes the ‘Fractured Archive’ endgame raid on October 20 and the addition of ‘Hardcore Worlds’ on November 4. Meanwhile, the newer spinoff ‘RuneScape: Dragonwilds’ is gearing up for the ‘Blood Crystal Saga’ in 2027. This includes the ‘Luminance’ update this December, which introduces the Prayer skill and Elven-themed customization. Notably, Dragonwilds will receive official modding support in 2027 via a partnership with CurseForge, bringing creation tools and an in-game browser to all platforms, including consoles.

Why it matters

The flurry of announcements signals a significant pivot for Jagex, balancing legacy maintenance with next-gen aspirations. For existing players, the ‘Reignited’ initiative and the transition to the Unreal Engine suggest a concerted effort to modernize the aging franchise’s technical foundation, which has long been a pain point for community members.

The inclusion of official modding tools for ‘Dragonwilds’ via CurseForge—spanning PC and console—is a major quality-of-life win for the creative community. Players should keep an eye on the December 2 launch of ‘Reignited,’ as the 10-day window of free access serves as a low-risk opportunity to test the revamped economy and systems before committing to further membership.