Jagex has announced that a fourth RuneScape game is in development, built with Unreal Engine. The reveal came during RuneFest, the studio's annual fan convention, where a working title of RS4 was confirmed alongside a minute-long teaser trailer.
The teaser gives away little, but footage suggests players will be able to ride and fight dragons. According to Jagex, the project is still years away and has been described as a hugely ambitious undertaking.
RuneScape 4 setting and story details
RS4 will take place in the same world of Gielinor as the other RuneScape titles, but is set in the Sixth Age — years after the events of RuneScape: Dragonwilds. Players will begin their journey in the Ashenfall region, which was first introduced in Dragonwilds, the studio's 2024 open-world survival game.
The new MMO was originally conceived as an expansion to Dragonwilds called Shadows of Ashenfall. During development, the project evolved into something closer to Jagex's traditional MMO structure, leading the team to pivot and turn it into a full standalone game, according to Polygon.
RS4 will not replace existing RuneScape games
Jagex was quick to clarify that RS4 is not meant to replace any of its older titles. In a statement, the studio said it is designing RS4 to sit alongside RuneScape, Old School RuneScape and RuneScape: Dragonwilds as an additional way for players to experience Gielinor.
The company's current MMO lineup spans over two decades of releases, and the team emphasised that existing games will continue to be supported alongside the new project.
RuneScape animated series in the works
Beyond the game, Jagex also announced a RuneScape animated series developed by Lyrical Animation in partnership with YouTuber MoistCr1TiKaL. The show is in early development, and Jagex plans to share more details next year.
