Jagex just dropped the biggest curveball of RuneFest 2026: RuneScape 4, the first new mainline MMO in the franchise since 2013, officially in early development on Unreal Engine and set years after the events of Dragonwilds in the Sixth Age of Gielinor. The working-title project started life as a Dragonwilds expansion before playtesters pushed it into full MMO territory, complete with a dedicated team and a promise it won't replace RuneScape, Old School, or the survival spinoff. A teaser trailer showed dragon riders and Ashenfall vistas, but no release window, platforms, or name beyond RS4. Meanwhile, the existing RuneScape is getting RuneScape Reignited on December 2—a fresh character type with its own economy, hiscores, no paid progression or Treasure Hunter, plus a 10-day free members window to rope in lapsed players and newbies alike.

Community chatter on X is split between hype for modern visuals and worry about another split player base, with some calling the fresh-start economy a necessary reset and others feeling it steps on veteran loyalty. Jagex emphasized community co-development from day one and confirmed the whole studio is involved, but the multi-year timeline means this is a long play. The Reignited refresh launches alongside the biggest 2027 roadmap in RuneScape history, including Hoard of Dragons, City of Gnomes, and a new endgame raid, while Old School gets Menaphos Golden Gates and its own raid drop. An animated series with MoistCr1TiKaL consulting is also in the works.

This is Jagex betting the farm on expansion without cannibalizing the 25-year legacy—four pillars now, each with dedicated teams, all feeding the same Gielinor universe. Whether the Unreal Engine leap lands or just fragments the crowd further is the real endgame question.