Jagex has officially revealed that a fourth RuneScape MMO is in development, with the new project being built in Unreal Engine and designed as another long-term game within the RuneScape universe. Unveiled during RuneFest 2026 on October 3, the project is currently referred to as RS4, although that is a working title rather than its confirmed final name. Development remains at an early stage, and Jagex has not announced a release window.
The studio described the upcoming MMO as a new interpretation of Gielinor intended for a new generation of players. Jagex says it wants the project to preserve the depth, freedom and community-led qualities that have defined RuneScape over the past 25 years while taking advantage of modern technology and game design. A reveal trailer accompanied the announcement, but the studio has deliberately kept specifics about gameplay, combat, progression and platforms under wraps for now.
Importantly, Jagex says the new MMO is not intended to replace either RuneScape or Old School RuneScape. In a message to players following the announcement, the studio said RS4 is being developed by a separate team and is planned to exist alongside its two established MMOs. Jagex also said development of the new project does not change the resources, commitment or ongoing support allocated to RuneScape and Old School RuneScape, addressing an obvious concern for players of games that have accumulated years of characters and progression.
That distinction is particularly significant given the amount of work continuing on the existing RuneScape lineup. RuneScape Reignited launches December 2 with a fresh economy, separate hiscores and a redesigned experience for players starting from level 3, while the main game also has a substantial 2027 content roadmap. Old School RuneScape is likewise continuing with new raids, quests, systems and areas rather than being transitioned toward the newly announced MMO.
RS4 will also exist alongside RuneScape: Dragonwilds, Jagex’s survival-crafting spin-off, which expanded the franchise beyond its traditional MMO structure. Dragonwilds itself uses Unreal Engine 5, giving Jagex experience developing a modern RuneScape project with Epic’s technology before the new MMO reaches players. Jagex has not confirmed which version of Unreal Engine will ultimately power RS4, so the announcement should not yet be interpreted as confirmation of a specific Unreal Engine release.
What the engine change means for the way RuneScape plays is also unknown. Jagex has not shown enough of the project to establish whether RS4 will retain the interaction and combat structure associated with the existing MMOs or move toward a more contemporary action-oriented design. Likewise, there are currently no confirmed details about its business model, account systems, character progression, cross-platform support or how closely its version of Gielinor will follow locations familiar to existing players.
The announcement formed part of a much larger RuneFest 2026 presentation celebrating RuneScape’s 25th anniversary. Jagex also announced an animated RuneScape adaptation being developed with Charlie White, better known as MoistCr1TiKaL, and production company Lyrical Media, alongside major roadmaps for RuneScape, Old School RuneScape and Dragonwilds. Together, the announcements reflect Jagex’s broader effort to expand RuneScape into a larger franchise rather than concentrating everything around a single live game.
For now, the most concrete details about RS4 are that it is a new RuneScape MMORPG, it is being developed in Unreal Engine, and it has a dedicated team working separately from the studios supporting the existing MMOs. Jagex has stressed that development is still early, meaning fundamental details and a release date may remain unannounced for some time. The reveal nevertheless marks the first confirmation that another full MMO entry is being developed alongside the RuneScape games already operating today.
