A new chapter for RuneScape is unfolding with the announcement of a co-op, open-world survival crafting game titled RuneScape: Dragonwilds. This marks a major evolution for the iconic MMO franchise.
Jagex, the developer, unveiled RuneScape: Dragonwilds earlier today, and it’s already available for wishlisting on Steam ahead of its early access launch in spring 2025. CEO Jon Bellamy emphasized that it is “an entirely new RuneScape experience set within the iconic world of Gielinor and is a game that deserves the RuneScape name.”
“We’ve assembled a brand-new team filled with seasoned industry professionals dedicated to ensuring that RuneScape: Dragonwilds fits seamlessly within the RuneScape universe, appealing to both our loyal fans and new players,” shares Bellamy.
Dragonwilds supports one to four players, and its core focus on “grinding skills, slaying dragons” will resonate with veterans of RuneScape and Old School RuneScape. Nonetheless, aside from a few shared spells and skills, the gameplay appears to diverge significantly. Expect a distinctly Valheim-inspired experience, where resource gathering, base building, and “light RPG elements” are integral as players navigate the “never-before-seen” continent of Ashenfall.
With Jagex venturing into the realm of open-world survival crafting, the comparison to Valheim is apt, especially since some RuneScape players previously lauded that game for its similar sense of adventure. The aim here is to create “a mix of survival gameplay and RuneScape mechanics,” which is evident from the early trailers.
While Dragonwilds retains a familiar aesthetic, the emphasis on magic is heightened, as showcased in the trailer where characters wield spectral axes to chop down trees and conjure winds to traverse large gaps. Classic spells like Bones to Peaches make a return as well. “Prepare potions, craft gear, and level up to face the continent’s most formidable foes,” the Steam description outlines.
This game is launching in early access, meaning “it’s currently not a finished product and may undergo significant changes during its development,” according to Jagex. The intention is to remain in early access “for as long as necessary,” with a projected full release targeting “early 2026.”
In the lead-up to the complete version of Dragonwilds, Jagex plans to introduce new skills, quests, enemies, seasonal events, resources, items, and “vaults to discover.” It appears more dragons will grace the game as well, with the initial lineup featuring “the first Dragon,” General Velgar, who seems to be a green dragon. The price of the game will likely increase upon departure from early access, and Jagex “may introduce paid DLC after launch.”
Old School RuneScape is especially recognized for involving its community in decision-making through polls, and Dragonwilds is intended to uphold a similar player-first approach. “The best way to create a game we know fans will cherish is to develop it alongside them!” Jagex states on Steam. “We’re inviting players to join us on this journey. RuneScape titles have always thrived with community feedback at their core, and we’re committed to maintaining that approach from the start.”
Initially, I was concerned that introducing this MMO’s first new skill in over a decade could be disruptive, but Sailing in Old School RuneScape feels just like home.