RuneScape 4 RS4 MMO | Unreal Engine, Jagex, RuneFest 2026

The world of Gielinor is preparing for a massive technological leap.

Cullen BoyleSenior Staff Writer, Gaming & Anime·October 4, 2026·1 min read

Jagex

The Short Answer

Jagex unveiled RS4, a fourth RuneScape MMO, at RuneFest 2026. Built entirely in Unreal Engine, the game is set years after Dragonwilds following the downfall of Dragon Queen Kuldra, and will use community co-development. It will not replace Old School RuneScape or RuneScape 3.

Key Takeaways

•Jagex announced RS4, a fourth RuneScape MMO, at RuneFest 2026.
•It is the first RuneScape game built entirely in Unreal Engine.
•The story is set years after Dragonwilds, following Dragon Queen Kuldra's downfall.
•It uses the community co-development model popularized by Old School RuneScape.
•RS4 will live alongside OSRS and RS3, not replace them.

CAMBRIDGE, England — The world of Gielinor is preparing for a massive technological leap.

During the RuneFest 2026 celebrations, developer Jagex took to the stage to unveil a stunning cinematic teaser trailer for a brand-new, fourth RuneScape massively multiplayer online game. Currently operating under the working title “RS4”, the project is being built from the ground up to introduce the legendary 25-year-old franchise to a new generation of players.

Following the viral success of the IGN teaser trailer — which racked up over 314,000 views in just a few hours — fans are buzzing with questions about what this new title actually is, and more importantly, how it will play compared to the games they already know.

Here is everything we know about Jagex's ambitious new era.

Moving to Unreal Engine

The most significant difference between RS4 and its predecessors is the core technology powering the game.

Historically, Jagex has relied on its own proprietary engines to run both RuneScape 3 and Old School RuneScape (OSRS). For the first time in the franchise's history, RS4 is being built entirely in Unreal Engine. This shift allows the development team to push modern graphical fidelity, complex lighting, and advanced game design possibilities that simply were not feasible on the older technology.

The developers originally began the project as a massive expansion for Dragonwilds, but the scope quickly ballooned until Jagex realized it warranted becoming a standalone, fourth-generation MMO.

How Will the Gameplay and World Differ?

While OSRS focuses on nostalgic, point-and-click retro mechanics and RS3 leans into hotbar ability combat, RS4 aims to forge a new path by blending modern mechanics with community-driven development.

Narratively, the game takes place years after the events of Dragonwilds, specifically following the downfall of Dragon Queen Kuldra. Players will step into a highly dynamic version of Gielinor where the world is actively changing around them. The gameplay will allow veterans to revisit beautifully reimagined legacy areas while pushing much further into mysterious, previously unexplored regions of the map.

According to Jagex, the gameplay design philosophy is merging the technical advancements learned during Dragonwilds with the highly successful “co-development” polling system used by the OSRS community. This means players will have a direct hand in shaping how the mechanics, skills, and combat systems evolve during early access and alpha testing.

Will It Replace Old School or RS3?

For players worried about losing their thousands of hours of progress in current games, Jagex offered a definitive answer: No.

RS4 is not designed to overlap, replace, or shut down RuneScape 3 or Old School RuneScape. The new game will live entirely alongside them as an independent, standalone experience. Each of the games will maintain their own dedicated development teams and distinct content roadmaps moving forward.

While a firm release date is still a few years away, Jagex has made it clear that the ultimate goal of RS4 is to provide an “additional way to experience RuneScape” for both series veterans and total newcomers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is RuneScape 4 (RS4)?

RS4 is a brand-new, fourth RuneScape MMO announced by Jagex at RuneFest 2026. It is the first RuneScape game built entirely in Unreal Engine.

When was RuneScape 4 announced?

Jagex unveiled RS4 during RuneFest 2026 with a cinematic teaser trailer that racked up over 314,000 views in just a few hours.

Will RuneScape 4 replace Old School or RuneScape 3?

No. RS4 will live alongside OSRS and RuneScape 3 as an independent experience, with each game maintaining its own dedicated team and content roadmap.

What is the setting of RuneScape 4?

The game is set years after Dragonwilds, following the downfall of Dragon Queen Kuldra, in a dynamic Gielinor where the world changes around players.

How is RuneScape 4 being developed?

RS4 uses a community co-development model, blending the technical lessons from Dragonwilds with the polling system popularized by Old School RuneScape.