Jagex Unveils Fourth RuneScape MMO and Animated Adaptation
- Jagex announces a fourth MMO set in the RuneScape universe, currently titled RS4.
- Co-produced with YouTuber MoistCr1TiKaL, a new animated adaptation is also in the works.
- The game, planned for the Sixth Age of Gielinor, is in early development and a few years away from release.
Jagex has officially announced a new MMO, the fourth installment in the RuneScape series, named RS4. The announcement took place over the weekend at RuneFest in Birmingham.
In addition to the new game, Jagex revealed plans for a RuneScape animated adaptation, developed in partnership with YouTuber Charlie “MoistCr1TiKaL” White. A teaser for the new game can be viewed on YouTube.
According to Jagex, RS4 aims to “bring the world of Gielinor to life in Unreal Engine,” emphasizing the combination of depth, freedom, and community engagement that has characterized RuneScape for 25 years.
Currently in early development, Jagex anticipates that the new MMO is several years away from release and has yet to finalize an official name, despite the historical significance of the numbered titles in the franchise.
Prior iterations included RuneScape 2 in 2004 and RuneScape 3 in 2013; however, Jagex eventually consolidated its offerings under a single live service structure. Notably, the RuneScape portfolio also consists of Old School RuneScape and the spin-off RuneScape: Dragonwilds, both of which remain active.
In a blog post, Jagex addressed the early announcement, noting that developments from Dragonwilds provided a foundation for the new game. The studio aims to extend its community-driven approach to RS4, ensuring that it operates independently from the existing games.
Jagex clarified that the creation of RS4 will not detract from ongoing support for the current titles, as each game maintains its own dedicated team and resources.
The intention, according to Jagex, is that RS4 will coexist with existing RuneScape games, enhancing the overall experience of the RuneScape universe. “The ambition isn’t to replace the RuneScape games you love. It’s to make the RuneScape universe bigger,” the studio stated.
The upcoming MMO is set in the Sixth Age of Gielinor, beginning in the Ashenfall region, which was first introduced in RuneScape: Dragonwilds. RS4 will take place years after the conclusion of Dragonwilds and the defeat of the Dragon Queen Kuldra. Jagex plans to expand beyond Ashenfall into both familiar and new areas of Gielinor over time.
Regarding the animated adaptation, Jagex is collaborating with MoistCr1TiKaL and LA production company Lyrical Media to bring “the world, characters and stories of Gielinor to life.” The project aims to encapsulate 25 years of RuneScape’s history and the more than 300 million player accounts created since its launch.
This week, a clone of Old School RuneScape briefly appeared online before being quickly taken down, inciting backlash from the RuneScape community.
News Courtesy of Eurogamer
