Jagex Announces RS4, a New Unreal Engine RuneScape MMO
Jagex has revealed RS4, a fourth mainline RuneScape MMORPG built in Unreal Engine and set in the Ashenfall region.
Jagex announced RS4, a new in-development MMORPG and the fourth mainline entry in the RuneScape franchise, at RuneFest in Birmingham, England. The project is being built using Unreal Engine and is targeted at a new generation of players, with a release not expected for at least a few years. The studio announced the title early to build on technology development from its recent game, RuneScape: Dragonwilds.
Set in Ashenfall, continuing the Sixth Age story
RS4 will be set in Gielinor, specifically during its ongoing Sixth Age narrative. The story begins in Ashenfall, a continent north-east of Gielinor first explored in RuneScape: Dragonwilds. The game will take place years after the events of that title and the destruction of the Dragon Queen Kuldra. Time has passed, the world has moved on, and Ashenfall has changed. Jagex notes that Ashenfall is only the beginning of RS4’s story.
Designed to coexist with existing RuneScape games
The new MMO is not a replacement for Jagex's current live-service operations. The studio currently operates RuneScape, Old School RuneScape, and RuneScape: Dragonwilds, each with its own dedicated team and continued investment. RS4 is designed to sit alongside them. "We’ll be designing RS4 to sit alongside them as an additional way to experience RuneScape and the world of Gielinor," Jagex said. The studio will lean on community co-development practices from its older titles and believes different RuneScape experiences can strengthen the whole franchise. Players may focus on one game, move between several, or discover Gielinor for the first time through RS4. The ambition is to make the RuneScape universe bigger, not to replace existing games.
Built on RuneScape’s core values with modern tech
The project aims to combine the depth, freedom, and community-led spirit that has defined RuneScape for 25 years with modern technology and game design. Over 300 million player accounts have been created in RuneScape over its lifetime, making it one of the world's longest-running video games. The ambition is for RS4 to grow beyond its initial Ashenfall setting over time, moving into familiar places and opening up new areas and stories across Gielinor. The new MMO will add more regions post-launch, including both familiar and brand-new areas.
No title, no release window, but active franchise expansion
RS4 remains a working title, and no official name or release window has been announced. Development is in its early stages. Meanwhile, Jagex is advancing a packed content schedule for its existing games through 2027 and has started work on an animated adaptation of RuneScape in partnership with Charlie White (MoistCr1TiKaL) and Lyrical Media.
The studio detailed numerous upcoming updates. Key releases for 2027 are structured across multiple story arcs and games.
| Game | Update / Content | Launch Period / Details |
|---|---|---|
| RuneScape | RuneScape Reignited | Launches December 2; non-members get full access Dec 2-12 |
| RuneScape | Plugin API | Arrives this month with early hands-on access |
| RuneScape | 2027 Story Arcs | Hoard of Dragons (Jan), City of Gnomes, Secrets of Karamja |
| RuneScape | 2027 Features | Agility rework, new bosses, area expansions, Grandmaster quest |
| Old School RuneScape | The Fractured Archive raid | Launches October 20 |
| Old School RuneScape | Hardcore Worlds | Launch November 4 |
| Old School RuneScape | Menaphos Opening | 2027; includes Fool's Gold quest, Skilling Dungeon, Soul Altar |
| Old School RuneScape | Other 2027 Content | Fairytale questline, Quest Month, Mining/Smithing rework, more |
| RuneScape: Dragonwilds | Version 1.0 | Has launched |
| RuneScape: Dragonwilds | Luminance Update | December, prelude to 2027 Blood Crystal Saga |
| RuneScape: Dragonwilds | Blood Crystal Saga | Begins early 2027 with Song of Rebellion update |
| RuneScape: Dragonwilds | Quarterly/Monthly Updates | Adds skills like Hunter, Slayer; side quests, gear, QoL improvements |
| RuneScape: Dragonwilds | Official Modding | Arrives 2027 via CurseForge partnership, on all platforms including consoles |
Jagex emphasized its live-service philosophy, noting that both RuneScape 2 and RuneScape 3 titles were later dropped in favor of treating RuneScape as an ongoing service. The studio's strategy is one of expansion. "In fact, we think having different RuneScape experiences can make the whole family stronger." RS4 will begin in Ashenfall and grow over time to include familiar and brand-new areas across Gielinor, adding more regions as the game evolves post-launch.
