RuneScape 4: RS4 Starts After Dragonwilds and Is Still Years Away

Archive photograph, Cambridge Science Park by Hugh Venables, via Wikimedia Commons, under CC BY-SA 2.0. Resized and converted to WebP without cropping. This photograph and its responsive adaptations remain licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

Jagex is developing a new RuneScape MMORPG under the working title RS4. It uses Unreal Engine, begins in Ashenfall years after RuneScape: Dragonwilds and is still a few years away. It will run alongside RuneScape, Old School RuneScape and Dragonwilds, with each existing game continuing under its own team and roadmap.

The official RS4 announcement answers the project’s identity and setting questions after its RuneFest reveal. It leaves platforms, accounts, membership, combat and skills for later announcements.

Is RuneScape 4 the final name?

RS4 is a working title. Jagex says it may choose a different final name and describes this as its fourth-generation RuneScape project. “RuneScape 4” identifies the new MMO people are asking about; it should not be taken as a settled product title.

It is a separate MMORPG in development, rather than an announced update for the existing RuneScape client.

Will RS4 replace RuneScape or Old School?

Jagex explicitly rules out replacing RuneScape, Old School RuneScape or Dragonwilds. Its plan is an additional independent game in the same universe. The existing games retain dedicated teams, roadmaps and continued investment.

That answers the replacement question. It does not answer whether players can share accounts, membership or progress between games: Jagex has not revealed those arrangements.

Ashenfall, the Sixth Age and Dragonwilds

RS4 takes place in Gielinor during the Sixth Age, starting in Ashenfall, the northeastern landmass explored in Dragonwilds. Jagex places the story years after Dragonwilds’ events and the destruction of Dragon Queen Kuldra, with Ashenfall having changed during that interval.

The setting establishes a story connection. It does not establish imported saves, the same playable protagonist or the same survival systems. Jagex has not said players must complete Dragonwilds before starting RS4.

Ashenfall is the starting point. Jagex wants to expand into familiar and new parts of Gielinor over time, but has not announced a launch map or expansion schedule.

Dragonwilds continues separately, including its Luminance update and 2027 roadmap.

Release timing: years away, with more details in 2027

Jagex says RS4 is “still a few years away.” There is no announced release year, date, public alpha or beta window. The statement does not support assigning it a 2028, 2029 or 2030 launch.

The October 2026 announcement promises more information next year about the world, game, team and opportunities to get involved. That places the next planned information update in 2027, rather than establishing when RS4 becomes playable.

The official page lets players register their interest. Registration is not an announcement of immediate test access.

Unreal Engine and the development approach

Jagex confirms Unreal Engine, without naming a version. Dragonwilds’ technology should not be used to fill that gap.

The studio highlights permanent progression, integrity and community involvement as design principles. It intends to share ideas, test them and listen to players early, drawing on its experience with the existing RuneScape games. It has not announced an Old School-style polling system, paid early access or a crowdfunding campaign for RS4.

What remains unannounced?

The concept trailer and Reignited distinction

The concept teaser is available on Jagex’s official RS4 page. Treat it as the project’s early presentation, rather than evidence of confirmed playable mechanics or a final visual target.

RS4 is also distinct from RuneScape Reignited. Reignited launches December 2, 2026 as a fresh-start character type inside the existing RuneScape, with a separate economy and hiscores. RS4 is a new independent MMORPG that remains years away. Reignited’s date and rules do not apply to it.

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