RuneScape started as a simple game you played in your web browser and has become one of the oldest games still being updated and played today.
While many people got into online gaming with World of Warcraft, RuneScape was my first experience with massively multiplayer online games. Even after more than 20 years, I’m still a dedicated fan and continue to play it regularly.
For those who don’t know, there are currently two different versions of the game: Old School RuneScape and RuneScape 3.
Although it’s called ‘Old School,’ RuneScape’s older version is actually more played than the newer one. It recently hit a peak of over 250,000 players at the same time, which is remarkable considering the game is almost 25 years old.
As the game celebrates its 25th anniversary, Jagex promises a year full of exciting news, improvements, and events in 2026.
A full year of announcements and community focused plans
Jagex has assured fans that RuneScape’s 25th anniversary in 2026 will be a major, year-long event, not just a marketing ploy. They plan a full calendar of updates to the game, along with live events and announcements about the future of the entire RuneScape franchise.
Rather than making one big announcement, Jagex is releasing information in stages. RuneScape Ahead will be revealed on January 19th, followed by the Old School RuneScape Winter Summit on January 25th, and the DragonWilds Summit on January 29th. Each event will highlight different aspects of the RuneScape universe as the franchise expands.
The anniversary celebrations are all about the RuneScape community. Jagex announced that both RuneScape and Old School RuneScape have more players than ever before, and this is reflected in their plans. Old School players can look forward to a detailed content plan for 2026, with a community vote to follow. RuneScape 3 players will receive a new development plan focused on improving the game and addressing concerns about how the game is funded – an issue fans have raised in recent years.
It’s strange to say, but RuneScape has become more than just one game. With Old School RuneScape, RuneScape 3, and DragonWilds, there are now three separate games aimed at different players and with their own unique plans for the future. A year-long anniversary event allows Jagex to support each game independently, rather than pushing them all to update at the same time.
RuneFest is coming back this year as an in-person event at the Birmingham NEC in the UK.
RuneScape is coming to the US for the very first time! Players can experience the game live in Chicago on June 20, 2026, at the Deadman All Stars Live event.
We’re curious – what are you most excited about: the plans for Old School RuneScape, the upcoming improvements to RuneScape 3, or the return of RuneFest? Let us know in the comments, and be sure to vote in our poll!
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2026-01-16 15:43