RuneScape is about to enter a new era
RuneScape has existed for more than two decades, but RuneScape: Dragonwilds takes Jagex's universe in a very different direction.
Rather than following the traditional MMORPG structure of RuneScape and Old School RuneScape, Dragonwilds is a co-op open-world survival RPG set on the continent of Ashenfall.
The game entered Early Access on PC in 2025 and is now approaching its biggest milestone yet.
RuneScape: Dragonwilds officially launches into version 1.0 on September 15, 2026.
The full launch brings the adventure to consoles, completes its first major story arc and begins the next phase of Dragonwilds' long-term development.
Here's everything you need to know before heading into Ashenfall.
When does RuneScape: Dragonwilds launch?
Version 1.0 launches on September 15, 2026.
On that date, Dragonwilds officially leaves Early Access and expands across PC and consoles.
Confirmed platforms include:
- PC
- PlayStation 5
- Xbox Series X|S
- Nintendo Switch 2
Physical editions have also been announced for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.
How much does RuneScape: Dragonwilds cost?
Jagex confirmed an important detail shortly before launch:
the price will not increase when Dragonwilds leaves Early Access.
The standard game remains:
$29.99 in the United States £24.99 in the United Kingdom.
Players joining at 1.0 therefore receive the complete Kuldra Saga and the free updates added so far without a higher base price.
Is Dragonwilds coming to Xbox Game Pass?
Yes.
RuneScape: Dragonwilds joins Xbox Game Pass on September 15, alongside its worldwide 1.0 launch.
Jagex describes the console launch as the first time the RuneScape franchise has reached consoles in its 25-year history.
What is RuneScape: Dragonwilds?
Dragonwilds is a co-op survival RPG set in the RuneScape universe.
The adventure takes place in Ashenfall, a forgotten continent where dragons have awakened and ancient magic has transformed the land.
Its core gameplay blends familiar survival mechanics with systems inspired directly by RuneScape.
Players can:
- explore;
- gather resources;
- build bases;
- craft equipment;
- level skills;
- complete quests;
- fight creatures;
- learn magic;
- battle dragons;
- play solo or cooperatively.
Jagex describes Ashenfall as a handcrafted fantasy world combining recognizable RuneScape lore with new locations built specifically for Dragonwilds.
Do you need to play RuneScape first?
No.
Dragonwilds is a standalone game.
You do not need an advanced RuneScape account, years of Old School RuneScape experience or extensive knowledge of Gielinor's lore.
Long-time RuneScape players, however, will recognize familiar creatures, abilities, items and references.
That combination gives Dragonwilds an interesting position: familiar enough for existing RuneScape fans while still being accessible to newcomers.
Is Dragonwilds an MMORPG?
Not in the traditional sense.
Despite carrying the RuneScape name, Dragonwilds is not an MMORPG like RuneScape or Old School RuneScape.
It is a cooperative survival RPG.
Players can explore Ashenfall solo or alongside up to three friends, creating a four-player party.
What do you actually do in Dragonwilds?
The core loop combines exploration, character progression and survival.
Your character begins as an ordinary adventurer rather than an established hero.
From there, you gather materials, craft tools, construct structures and improve your skills while exploring Ashenfall.
The progression system preserves one of RuneScape's most recognizable concepts:
skills that become stronger as you play.
Jagex says the complete experience features 13 unique skills that can be trained all the way to level 99.
Do skills really reach level 99?
Yes.
Level 99, one of the most recognizable numbers in RuneScape, remains a major progression milestone in Dragonwilds.
Jagex says players can train the game's 13 skills to level 99.
Progressing through these skills unlocks abilities and spells, helping Dragonwilds retain a distinct RuneScape identity despite operating in a different genre.
Where does Dragonwilds take place?
The game takes place on Ashenfall, a previously undiscovered continent within the RuneScape universe.
Dragons have awakened across the land, and players must explore the region while uncovering its mysteries.
Ashenfall contains multiple distinct areas, including regions added throughout Early Access such as Fellhollow and Umbral Sands.
What changes with version 1.0?
Version 1.0 represents more than removing the Early Access label.
The full release incorporates the content developed throughout Early Access while adding the conclusion to Dragonwilds' first major saga.
Major points include:
- console release;
- existing Early Access content;
- Umbral Sands;
- the Scorned Wilderness update;
- the conclusion of Kuldra's saga;
- continued updates after launch.
Who is Kuldra?
Dragon Queen Kuldra is the central threat of Dragonwilds' first major story arc.
The player's journey across Ashenfall and battles against the Dragon Generals ultimately lead toward her.
Version 1.0 brings the story to its climax through the Scorned Wilderness raid and the confrontation with Kuldra.
But defeating Kuldra does not mean Dragonwilds is ending.
Will Dragonwilds continue after 1.0?
Yes.
Jagex has explicitly stated that version 1.0 is not the end of Dragonwilds.
The studio intends to continue expanding Ashenfall over a multi-year journey.
Future content discussed by Jagex includes:
- new skills;
- quests;
- regions;
- bosses;
- enemies;
- rewards;
- new storylines.
Jagex has also said that Dragonwilds will continue receiving monthly updates after version 1.0.
What comes after launch?
Jagex has already named the next update:
Luminance.
The free update is planned for winter.
The studio also plans to reveal more about its 2027 roadmap after launch and around RuneFest.
Does Dragonwilds support crossplay?
Yes.
Jagex confirmed crossplay alongside its console release announcement.
That is an important addition for a co-op game, making it easier for players across supported platforms to find groups.
Nintendo Switch 2 was announced afterward, so we are avoiding claims about every individual platform combination until Jagex explicitly documents them.
Is there a physical edition?
Yes.
Physical Standard and Deluxe editions have been announced for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
The Physical Deluxe Edition includes items such as:
- a Steelbook;
- embroidered patches;
- holographic character cards;
- a cloth map of Ashenfall;
- digital cosmetic content.
Jagex says the included equipment does not provide an early statistical advantage over equivalent in-game gear.
Is RuneScape: Dragonwilds worth starting in 2026?
For players who have been waiting for Early Access to end, September 15 is the most logical point to jump in.
Version 1.0 combines the content developed since Early Access began, concludes the first major saga and marks RuneScape's arrival on consoles.
It also launches while:
- keeping the same base price;
- joining Xbox Game Pass;
- supporting cooperative play;
- including previous free updates;
- continuing development after launch;
- already having its next update announced.
Dragonwilds still needs to prove how well it can sustain itself over several years, but its 1.0 release represents a significantly more complete experience than its original Early Access debut.
Can Dragonwilds work for players who have never played RuneScape?
That may be one of the most interesting tests for the game.
Dragonwilds uses RuneScape's universe and recognizable ideas without requiring players to have spent thousands of hours in Gielinor.
For players interested in:
- survival games;
- RPG progression;
- crafting;
- building;
- exploration;
- skill-based progression;
- fantasy;
- cooperative play;
Dragonwilds can stand on its own.
For RuneScape veterans, the appeal is different: seeing the franchise explore a genre it has never approached this way before.
RuneScape: Dragonwilds launches version 1.0 on September 15, 2026 for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch 2.
And based on Jagex's current plans, defeating Kuldra will only mark the end of Dragonwilds' first chapter.
