Jagex Announces RuneScape 4 MMO Built on Unreal Engine
Jagex has officially announced a new RuneScape MMO, giving fans their first look at what could become the next major chapter in the long-running franchise. The project is currently known as RuneScape 4, although Jagex has confirmed that this is only a working title.
The announcement was made during RuneFest 2026 in Birmingham, UK, where Jagex showed a short concept trailer for the upcoming MMO. The game is still in early development and is not expected to launch for several years.
RuneScape 4 Is Built for a New Generation
Unlike the existing RuneScape games, the new MMO is being developed using Unreal Engine. Jagex says the goal is to bring the world of Gielinor to a new generation while maintaining the freedom, social features and player-driven spirit that have defined the series for more than 25 years.
The teaser showed warriors flying with dragons above a large fantasy settlement, offering a small glimpse at the scale and visual direction Jagex is targeting.
The game will begin in Ashenfall, a location introduced in RuneScape: Dragonwilds. Its story takes place after the events surrounding the Dragon Queen Kuldra, with plans to eventually expand into other familiar and new areas across Gielinor.
The Project Started as a Dragonwilds Expansion
Interestingly, RuneScape 4 was not originally planned as a separate MMO. Jagex revealed that the project started as an expansion for RuneScape: Dragonwilds called Shadows of Ashenfall. As the team explored adding more social features, persistent servers, larger player counts and player trading, the idea grew beyond the scope of an expansion.
The developers eventually realized they were building a full MMO and decided it deserved to become its own game.
Existing RuneScape Games Will Continue
Jagex has stressed that RuneScape 4 will not replace RuneScape, Old School RuneScape or Dragonwilds. The new MMO will have its own development team and will operate alongside the franchise's existing games.
There is currently no confirmed release date or platform list for RuneScape 4. Jagex plans to involve players early in development by sharing ideas, gathering feedback and testing features with the community.
For now, RuneScape 4 remains years away, but it's Unreal Engine foundation and focus on exploration, dragons and large-scale multiplayer could make it one of the biggest changes in the franchise's history.
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