Jagex has quietly dropped one of the biggest MMO announcements in years: a brand-new, fourth RuneScape MMO is officially in development. News of the project, which fans have already taken to calling “RS4,” broke via a studio communication picked up by GamesRadar, and while details are still thin, two things are crystal clear — the game is being built in Unreal Engine, and it’s “still a few years away” from release.
What We Know About the New RuneScape MMO
According to Jagex, the next mainline entry in the legendary MMORPG franchise is in active development, marking the fourth MMO set in the world of Gielinor. The studio has kept gameplay specifics under wraps — no trailers, no screenshots, and no release window beyond the vague “a few years away” timeframe.
A Modern Engine for a Modern Audience
The choice of Unreal Engine is significant. RuneScape 3 currently runs on Jagex’s aging in-house technology, while Old School RuneScape still chugs along on a codebase rooted in 2007-era Java. Moving the franchise to Epic Games’ industry-leading engine opens the door to modern rendering, large-scale world design, and far easier cross-platform support — potentially including consoles, where Unreal Engine titles thrive.
“RS4 Is Not a Replacement for Any of Our Games”
The most important line in Jagex’s announcement — and the one veteran players will want framed — is the studio’s explicit statement that “RS4 is not a replacement for any of our games.” In other words, RuneScape 3 and Old School RuneScape are not being sunset, merged, or left to rot while the new MMO takes the spotlight.
This matters enormously to a community that has lived through its share of upheaval. Both existing games will continue to receive updates and support, meaning the millions of players who have poured decades into their accounts can breathe easy. Old School RuneScape in particular remains a juggernaut, consistently ranking among the most-played MMORPGs on Steam and maintaining a passionate mobile player base.
Why Jagex Is Expanding the RuneScape Universe
From an industry perspective, this move makes perfect sense. Since being acquired by new ownership in 2024, Jagex has been aggressively broadening the franchise’s reach — from the survival crafting spin-off RuneScape: Dragonwilds to mobile versions and licensed merchandise. A full-fledged modern MMO built on current-gen technology is the logical next step: a way to introduce Gielinor to a new generation of players without forcing longtime fans to abandon the games they love.
The Opportunity — and the Risk
There’s real upside here. A fresh start on Unreal Engine means Jagex isn’t shackled to decades of technical debt, and the RuneScape formula — sandbox progression, player-driven economy, and famously quirky quests — remains genuinely unique in the MMO space. The risk, of course, is the lengthy development timeline. A release that’s “a few years away” means RS4 will launch into a market where MMO players have more options than ever, and community patience will be tested along the way. Still, the early commitment to keeping RS3 and OSRS alive is exactly the right message to send.
Stock Up on RuneScape Membership While You Wait
With RS4 still years out, now is a great time to dive deeper into the existing games. You can pick up RuneScape membership and gift cards at discounted prices on TURGAME.com, giving you access to members-only quests, skills, and worlds across both RuneScape 3 and Old School RuneScape. Whether you’re returning to Gielinor after a long break or training your first ironman, TURGAME has you covered.
Final Thoughts
A fourth RuneScape MMO built in Unreal Engine is an exciting prospect for one of gaming’s most enduring franchises. It’s early days, expectations should be tempered, and hard details are scarce — but the promise that no existing game is being replaced shows Jagex has learned from its community’s history. We’ll be watching this one closely.
Source: GamesRadar