MMORPG news · RuneScape
RuneScape 4 announced: the new MMORPG will begin in Ashenfall
At RuneFest 2026, Jagex unveiled a new MMORPG project with the working title RS4. The game is being built in Unreal Engine, and the adventure will begin in Ashenfall, the region introduced in RuneScape: Dragonwilds. Release is still several years away.
RS4: a separate game in the RuneScape universe
“RuneScape 4” is a convenient name, but RS4 is currently a working title. Jagex describes the project as another standalone MMORPG alongside RuneScape, Old School RuneScape and Dragonwilds. Its announcement does not mean the existing games are closing.
The story takes place in Gielinor during the Sixth Age, years after the events of Dragonwilds. A changed Ashenfall will be the starting point. The developers want to expand beyond this area over time, but have not yet presented a launch content map.
The studio promises lasting character progression and community involvement from an early stage of production. These statements describe the project's direction; specific progression systems have not been shown.
When will RuneScape 4 launch, and when is the first beta?
There is no exact date. Jagex says the game is several years away and promises more information in 2027. It has not revealed platforms, the payment model, account arrangements, combat or skills. Character transfers from the existing RuneScape have not been confirmed either.
You can register your interest on the official website. This does not provide access to a playable beta or promise an invitation on a particular date. That distinction matters, especially as searches for “RS4 beta” and “RuneScape 4 release date” become more common.
What should players watch for next?
The first gameplay material will be most revealing: how groups cooperate, the pace of combat and the importance of skills outside battle. Our take: a new graphics engine alone does not tell us how the game will play. For now, we have a setting and a vision, rather than a ready alternative to the existing RuneScape.
For players of the current game, the official plugin beta announced for 6 October was a separate story. It concerns the live game and is unrelated to RS4's launch. If you are interested in different forms of online RPGs, see our comparison of online D&D and browser MMORPGs.
Source and verification date
Jagex — A new RuneScape age is coming, the official website for the project revealed during RuneFest 2026. The page does not show a separate publication date; we checked its contents on 4 October 2026. The stated plans may change as development continues.