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Jagex’s new game is RuneScape: Dragonwilds, a standalone survival-crafting adventure set in the RuneScape universe and powered by Unreal Engine 5. It is not a remake or engine upgrade of the RuneScape MMORPG: players explore a new continent, Ashenfall, gather resources, build, fight and progress through skills alone or in online co-op.
What is RuneScape: Dragonwilds?
Dragonwilds is an open-world fantasy survival game from Jagex. Its setting, Ashenfall, is a previously forgotten continent where dragons have awakened. Players investigate the threat, take on quests and eventually pursue the Dragon Queen. Jagex describes the game as powered by Unreal Engine 5; its official announcement introduces the world and premise at Jagex’s announcement.
The game is listed for single-player and online co-op. Its basic loop is familiar to survival-game players: explore, collect materials, craft equipment, build a base, improve skills, use magic, and battle enemies and bosses. That structure makes it a separate RuneScape-world adventure, not a new version of the persistent MMORPG.
What Unreal Engine 5 means—and what it doesn’t confirm
Jagex has confirmed Unreal Engine 5 as the game’s engine. That means the studio is building Dragonwilds with a modern 3D development platform suited to creating a detailed fantasy world. It is a notable technical departure from the technology behind the long-running RuneScape games, but it does not mean those MMORPGs are moving to Unreal Engine 5.
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- RUNESCAPE AT ITS CORE! - Embark on quests, level your skills and explore a beautiful hand-crafted world. This all-new adventure blends high-fantasy and iconic RuneScape lore on a brand new continent. RPG systems reward you with unique abilities and spells as you progress through each skill. Battle legendary RuneScape creatures like Zogres, challenge Black Knights and the entirely new and fearsome Garou, all set to a sweeping soundtrack of reorchestrated RuneScape classics and hours of brand new music.
- GRIND SKILLS, SLAY DRAGONS - Locate them, throw down the gauntlet and carve your path to the Dragon Queen herself. Your progress will be under constant threat from the looming shadow of the Dragons, as you arm yourself and prepare to rise to face them. Follow the trail of destruction and uncover the mysteries of the continent to learn not just how to confront the dragons, but how to overcome them. Prepare potions, craft gear and push yourself to do battle with the most powerful force on the continent. The smart money's on the dragon. But we do love an underdog!
- SURVIVAL THROUGH SORCERY - Summon a spectral axe to fell trees in an instant! Blink away from danger in a cloud of magic. Turn bones into... peaches? The Anima-rich landscape of Ashenfall offers you a power unlike any other. Conjure a tornado of fish from a lake! Explode ore veins with a snap of your fingers! Journey through the vibrant regions of Ashenfall, discover why wild magic spills from the fractured lands and harness that power to survive!
- COMMUNITY DRIVEN, PLAYER CENTRIC - Like all RuneScape games, community is at the heart of everything we do. We've shaped our entire roadmap based on player feedback, leading us to launch dedicated servers earlier than planned, introduce new combat and new quest content. Working together we're continuing to develop RuneScape: Dragonwilds. Whether you're adventuring with friends or going it alone, every opinion matters, and it's up to you to help us shape the future of our game.
The engine announcement does not, by itself, confirm that Dragonwilds uses specific UE5 features such as Nanite, Lumen, World Partition or hardware-accelerated ray tracing. Nor does it establish a particular frame rate or graphics setting. Treat those as unconfirmed unless Jagex publishes game-specific details.
How it connects to RuneScape
Dragonwilds draws on RuneScape lore, creatures, skills, music and visual motifs, but adapts them to survival gameplay rather than reproducing the MMORPG’s structure.
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- World and enemies: Ashenfall is a new continent, and the game features familiar fantasy elements and creatures including Zogres and Black Knights.
- Skills and magic: Skill progression informs character development, while skill-based abilities called “Skill Spells” bring magic into the survival loop.
- Music: The soundtrack combines new music with reorchestrated RuneScape material.
- Progression: Players craft and improve gear, explore dungeons and vaults, complete quests, and face bosses—including the first dragon encounter, General Velgar, in Early Access content.
There is no identified transfer of RuneScape or Old School RuneScape characters, accounts, skills or progression into Dragonwilds. RuneScape membership is not listed as a requirement.
What players do in Ashenfall
- Explore Ashenfall and locate useful materials, quests and points of interest.
- Gather resources and craft tools, weapons, armor and other equipment.
- Build and expand a base to support survival and preparation.
- Develop skills and use magic-based survival abilities.
- Fight creatures and bosses, explore dungeons and uncover vaults.
- Advance through quests and work toward confronting the Dragon Queen.
Jagex’s Steam listing describes the game’s modes, systems and Early Access content. The experience is closer in broad structure to a co-op survival-crafting game than to a traditional RuneScape session.
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- Immerse yourself in a thrilling tabletop adventure filled with strategy, storytelling, and dynamic character interactions designed to challenge every decision.
- Experience high replayability through immersive roleplay, unpredictable encounters, and evolving tactical choices that keep every session intense and fresh.
- Master your destiny with customizable heroes, intricate quests, and deep world-building that fuel creative expression and competitive gameplay.
- Perfect for RPG enthusiasts seeking complex mechanics, cooperative missions, and richly detailed scenarios that spark imagination and rivalry.
- Premium components, atmospheric artwork, and narrative depth make this board game a must-have centerpiece for any tabletop gaming collection.
Release date, platforms and what is included
Dragonwilds entered Steam Early Access on April 15, 2025. As of August 18, 2026, it remains in Early Access. Jagex has scheduled version 1.0 for September 15, 2026, so the full release is still in the future. Jagex’s launch announcement lists PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch 2 for the full launch.
The June 23, 2026 Umbral Sands update added a region, a dynamic environmental system, a new mount type, a boss fight against Fuzan, the Blazing Tyrant, and Simplified Chinese, Japanese and Korean support. Jagex says the 1.0 release will include the Scorned Wilderness update; Umbral Sands is already an Early Access update, not a future launch addition.
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- Grab your capes and party hats, because we’re going to Gielinor!
- Inspired by the record-breaking online universe that’s captured the imagination of millions worldwide, RuneScape Kingdoms: Shadow of Elvarg is the official cooperative board game for 1-5 players.
Jagex’s platform announcement says PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium subscribers will receive access on PS5 at launch. Availability is subject to the applicable subscription and regional terms. The sources cited here do not establish cross-play or cross-save, so do not assume shared play or progression across platforms.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Price and the Early Access trade-off
The Steam page currently lists the Early Access game at $29.99 in the U.S. Jagex says the price will increase when the game leaves Early Access, but has not stated the future price. Jagex also says Early Access updates are not planned to be charged separately and that paid DLC may follow launch. Regional pricing and store prices can change.
Best Value
Buying now means paying for the version currently available, not a finished 1.0 campaign. Early Access content can change, and the full scope of remaining launch content and the final price are not specified in the cited materials. Consider waiting if you want the completed release before deciding. If you are comfortable playing an unfinished game and want to try its current systems, the Steam listing provides the purchase and Early Access details.
PC requirements
These are the requirements currently listed on Steam. They are store-listed specifications, not a promise of a particular frame rate, resolution or graphics preset.
| Specification | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 10; 64-bit processor and operating system | Windows 10; 64-bit processor and operating system |
| Processor | Intel Core i3-8100 or AMD Ryzen 5 1600 | Intel Core i5-10600 or AMD Ryzen 5 3600 |
| Memory | 8 GB RAM | 16 GB RAM |
| Graphics | Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB, AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT, or Intel Arc A750 8 GB | Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070 6 GB or AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT 8 GB |
| DirectX | Version 12 | Version 12 |
| Storage | 25 GB available space | 25 GB available space |
| Network | Not stated in Steam’s minimum requirements | Broadband internet connection |
Check your PC against the listing before buying, especially if it has less than 8 GB of RAM or an older graphics card. Meeting a minimum specification does not guarantee smooth performance at a chosen resolution or quality setting, and a PC that runs RuneScape 3 is not automatically capable of running Dragonwilds well.
Account requirement on Steam
Steam lists Epic Online Services as a required third-party account requirement and supports linking it to a Steam account. The listing also identifies a third-party EULA, so Steam users should expect an account step beyond a Steam-only login.
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Who should play it—and who may want to wait?
- RuneScape fans: Consider it for the setting, creatures, skills and musical callbacks, but not as a replacement for RuneScape or Old School RuneScape.
- Survival-game fans: The gathering, crafting, building, exploration and boss progression are the main attraction; the RuneScape setting is the franchise-specific layer.
- Solo players or small groups: The listing supports single-player and online co-op. It does not describe the game as a persistent MMO.
- Players with older PCs: Compare your hardware with Steam’s listed minimums and remember that those figures do not guarantee a particular performance level.
- Players who want a finished game: Waiting for the scheduled September 15, 2026 version 1.0 release avoids buying during Early Access.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
