Jagex announced a fourth Runescape MMORPG, currently carrying the working title RS4, at the RuneFest 2026 convention in Birmingham, United Kingdom, expanding the franchise into Unreal Engine with a project set in Gielinor starting from Ashenfall.
The announcement places the game years away from release as the studio begins development. Rather than replacing existing titles, RS4 is designed to sit alongside Runescape, Old School Runescape, and Runescape: Dragonwilds as a standalone fourth pillar of the studio.
Studio Expands Dragonwilds Expansion Into RS4
The project began as an expansion for Runescape: Dragonwilds under the internal name Shadows of Ashenfall, initially slated for release in 2027. According to Dragonwilds Executive Producer Jesse America, player demand for social mechanics prompted the team to design persistent servers, high player counts, and player-to-player trading.
“We actually made designs for an expansion that would lift up Dragonwilds into the realm of the typical Jagex game with persistent servers, high player counts, and lots of social features. A social hub, player-to-player trading, all of that good stuff you see in the MMOs.”
Jesse America, Dragonwilds Executive Producer, via PCGamesN
Early prototypes convinced developers that the scope had outgrown an ordinary survival game expansion. The team realized that the direction pointed toward an entirely separate MMORPG. This follows a legacy of numbered franchise releases that began with the original RuneScape in 2001, followed by RuneScape 2 in 2004 with full 3D rendering, and RuneScape 3 in 2013 with overhauled art and systems, while America noted that this venture involves the entire studio working together collaboratively.
Studio Details Unreal Engine Technology and Early Plans
Built in Unreal Engine, the project takes place in Gielinor.
Jagex acknowledged that revealing the project a few years away
from release is exceptionally early, motivating an early disclosure to gather feedback throughout production. The teaser trailer revealed a medieval town in a verdant valley beneath floating islands, featuring an adventurer riding a dragon while under attack by a three-headed dragon, alongside a wizard watching from below.
Studio Confirms RS4 Will Coexist With Existing Titles
Studio representatives emphasized that RS4 will not supplant any current games in the franchise. RuneFest 2026 also featured extensive roadmaps for Old School Runescape, Runescape 3, and Dragonwilds, confirming continued investment across all existing titles.
Old School Runescape is scheduled to open the Golden Gates to Menaphos alongside a new endgame raid called The Fractured Archive on October 20, followed by Hardcore Worlds on November 4. Meanwhile, Runescape 3 prepares for a December 2 relaunch under the title Runescape Reignited, accompanied by community plugin support and a 2027 roadmap spanning three story arcs: Hoard of Dragons, City of Gnomes, and Secrets of Karamja. Associate Creative Director Ryan Philpott described the relaunch as an opportunity for players to start from scratch with a new character to experience the game as if it were brand new, supported by a remastered journey and adventure guide.