'RuneScape 4' Is in Development
A one-minute trailer dropped at RuneFest showing players riding and battling dragons in the new Unreal Engine MMO.
Summary
Jagex revealed the development of a fourth standalone 'RuneScape' MMO built on Unreal Engine
The project started as an expansion to the studio's open-world survival spin-off before pivoting into a full game
Set in the Sixth Age, the ambitious new entry is designed to coexist alongside the current roster of legacy titles
The iconic world of Gielinor is getting a massive structural upgrade. During its annual RuneFest convention, Jagex officially pulled the curtain back on a heavyweight addition to its gaming portfolio, announcing the development of a fourth major installment in the legendary franchise. Currently operating under the working title of RS4, the upcoming massively multiplayer online game is being constructed from the ground up using Unreal Engine. To give the community a taste of what is on the horizon, Jagex dropped a one-minute trailer accompanying the convention reveal. The video immediately sets a high-octane tone for the franchise’s future, showcasing players actively riding and fighting dragons.
The origins of RS4 trace back to a completely different design blueprint. Initial concepts framed the work as an expansion for RuneScape: Dragonwilds, the studio’s foray into the open-world survival genre, and carried the title Shadows of Ashenfall. However, as the creative process advanced, the mechanics and gameplay loop began to closely mirror the traditional MMO framework that originally put Jagex on the map. This realization forced a massive pivot in the studio’s development strategy, shifting the project from a localized DLC drop to a fully standalone title. Such an evolution signals a deliberate recalibration by Jagex, pulling emergent survival concepts back into the classic MMO format that established its market position.
While it serves as a fresh entry point, RS4 remains firmly anchored in the established lore of the franchise. The game is set entirely within the familiar world of Gielinor but pushes the timeline forward into the Sixth Age. Chronologically, this era unfolds years after the events detailed in RuneScape: Dragonwilds. When players first boot up the new MMO, they will begin their journey deep within the Ashenfall area. This region connects the titles because it was first introduced during the studio’s survival genre expansion before being reimagined for this standalone release.
Crucially, Jagex is positioning RS4 as a portfolio expansion rather than a legacy replacement for modern RuneScape, Old School RuneScape or RuneScape: Dragonwilds. The studio described the upcoming entry as a hugely ambitious project that remains a few years away from an official release. Detailed updates on the title are expected next year.
