RuneFest 2026: RuneScape Four teased; Reignited launches Dec. 2

At RuneFest 2026 in Birmingham, Jagex confirmed multiple updates for the RuneScape franchise, including an early-stage project referred to as RuneScape Four and a new trial mode called RuneScape: Reignited that begins December 2.

Reignited will allow new characters to start at level three and access members-only content for a 10-day trial without payment. Characters in the mode will use a separate in-game economy and have independent progression. Players in Reignited can compete for world-first achievements and have their progress recorded in a dedicated Hall of Heroes. The mode is designed to coexist with regular and Iron Man account types while keeping separate progression rules.

For the main RuneScape game, Jagex outlined three major content arcs for 2027: Hoard of Dragons, The City of Gnomes and Secrets of Karamja. Hoard of Dragons will include the Dragon Slayer II quest and an Agility Rework intended to change player movement. The developer also previewed a new raid tied to those storylines and said further details will follow in coming months.

Jagex confirmed a new full entry in the franchise, referred to by staff as RuneScape Four, is in early development. When asked for details, event staff replied, “we can’t really talk about that right now.” Developers said work on RuneScape Four grew from the Dragonwilds effort and player feedback requesting larger worlds and expanded account systems.

Old School RuneScape received its own set of updates. New bosses include Ripgut and Gemstone Dragons, and the game will receive additional dungeons and a series of remade quests presented in the title’s classic style. Hardcore worlds, a permadeath option where characters are lost on death but may be moved to normal worlds afterward, will launch on November 4 and offer exclusive rewards for players who remain on those servers. The Golden Gates of Menaphos will be adapted for Old School rules, and a new quest, Fairytale III: Nexus of Power, will pit players against the Fairy Godfather in a race to secure a powerful artifact.

On site at the convention hall, more than 6,000 attendees filled panels and exhibit spaces. Many appeared in cosplay and met members of the development team and community moderators during Q&A sessions and panel discussions. Developers observed that a large portion of the player base uses PC as their primary platform while using mobile devices for play sessions on the go.

Reignited prompted mixed response during the post-announcement Q&A. Some players welcomed an accessible fresh-start option; others raised concerns about the impact of a parallel economy and separate progression on the broader player community. Jagex noted the mode will not be entirely segregated from the main games and said it may adjust the mode based on player feedback after launch.