RuneScape hits 25 and Jagex goes full steam ahead in 2026

Jagex is celebrating 25 years of RuneScape. Being handily named “RS25”, they plan on popping the preverbal bubbly with a variety of events, merchandise, and updates to their roster of games.

RuneScape has made a massive comeback in recent years, with Old School RuneScape driving a ton of success. As we’ve previously covered, players enjoy the lack of “Fear of Missing Out” (FOMO), as well as a persistent world that doesn’t leave them behind if they take a break.

2025 felt like Jagex getting back up to speed with everything, with multiple decisions for their protected franchise being well-received by fans. Sailing was introduced as the first new skill in Old School RuneScape towards the end of last year, and didn’t see a total revolt by a playerbase that has pretty much snubbed their nose at change.

Jagex plans on discussing RuneScape 3 & more in series of streams

However, it’s not just the retro throwback that’s being celebrated here, as Jagex reiterates its plan to “center itself on game integrity in 2026”. The company’s first move was to take a vote on its Treasure Hunter microtransaction system, which players decidedly voted to boot from the game.

The company’s plans for RuneScape 3 post-Treasure Hunter will be further discussed on January 19 via a live stream.

Old School RuneScape

Alongside this, the “Old School RuneScape Winter Summit” is set for January 25, where the company will reveal its roadmap for the game.

So far, we know that it’ll involve a new raid, a new Grandmaster quest, and a League for players to get involved in. They also promise “meaningful quality-of-life improvements” that have apparently been “shaped by the community.”

Dragonwilds

It’s not all MMOs around these RuneScape parts, as Jagex released Dragonwilds last year. The survival-crafting game is still in early access, but has amassed a sizeable audience, with Jagex now reporting that it’s sold over a million units as of 2025.

Dragonwilds will have its own announcement stream on January 29. That stream will lay out a year of content, as well as plans for “new platforms” and what the team has planned for when the game’s global launch hits later this year.

Jagex pushing ahead with more community events in 2026

The fan experience is taking center stage in 2026 and beyond, from the looks of things. Not only is RuneFest returning for 2026 on October 3-4 at the Birmingham NEC, but Jagex is heading overseas to the US for Deadman All-Stars Live.

This is a partnership with creator Solomission, and will focus on player-versus-player action. Deadman Mode is a hardcore, open PVP mode, where anyone can fight anyone, wherever they like.

Jagex states that this will be hosted in the Rosemont Theatre in Chicago on June 20.

Then, later this spring, Jagex will be hosting an Old School RuneScape creator LAN event. The first of its kind for the company, this will be detailed later in 2026. Jagex also intends to boost its “creator commitment” through 2026.

Part of this campaign is changing Jagex’s branding. The company will now be known as “Jagex: The RuneScape Company” in official branding.

RuneScape… on vinyl?

Then, of course, there’s the celebratory merchandise. Ever wanted RuneScape on vinyl? Well, Jagex has it. Laced Records is producing a box set containing five vinyls containing the music from the franchise’s history. Every version of the game they’ve produced is included here, from RuneScape Classic to modern day. There’s even a dedicated vinyl to differentiate RuneScape 2 from Old School.

RuneScape, eh? Who would have thought the game we all bumbled around in during school would not only hit 25 years, but has quite literally never been bigger.