RuneScape: Dragonwilds has taken the gaming community by storm with its unexpected early access launch, just weeks following its initial teaser. Dive into the details of this thrilling early access phase and what lies ahead for players.
RuneScape: Dragonwilds made a surprising announcement regarding its early access release. During the early access livestream on April 16, developer Jagex revealed that the game is now accessible for early access on Steam, only a few weeks after its first trailer was released.
The gaming community was taken aback as the game had just opened for wishlisting on Steam on April 1, and showcased its first official gameplay teaser on April 2. The game was first hinted at in 2022, but it wasn't until late 2024 that Jagex began accepting signups for alpha testing of a "new survival game set in the RuneScape universe." The official unveiling of RuneScape: Dragonwilds occurred on March 31, 2025.
The developers are targeting an official release for Dragonwilds in early 2026. They emphasized their commitment to perfecting the game, stating, "We want to take the time to get everything right to ensure that our players have a complete, satisfying experience that you'll want to return to with friends time and again."
Jagex's Executive Producer, Jesse America, highlighted that Dragonwilds represents a fresh take on the RuneScape experience, tailored for the franchise's dedicated fans. He noted that the early access phase marks the beginning of their development journey.
He further elaborated, "Throughout Early Access, we'll be rolling out regular updates with new content and features, all while closely engaging with the community to craft an iconic open-world survival crafting game beloved by both our core RuneScape fans and newcomers."
Jagex also shared the early access roadmap, outlining what players can anticipate during this phase. A major highlight is the introduction of a new region, Fellhollow, a realm that hovers between life and death.
This new area is under the dominion of the soul-eater dragon Imaru, influenced by the wild anima of Ashenfall and the cursed energy of the Underworld. Players will be joined by the iconic RuneScape character Death on this adventure. Expect new quests, lore, gear, and music, alongside new skills in magic, ranged combat, and farming.
Additionally, the game will introduce a new enemy type with Lesser Dragons, new dragon slayer gear, a hardcore mode, creative mode, and more. While specific release dates for these updates haven't been disclosed, Jagex assured continuous enhancements throughout the early access period.
Players who purchase Dragonwilds during its early access phase will be rewarded with exclusive in-game items. As listed on the game's Steam page, "Early Adopters" will receive:
RuneScape: Dragonwilds is now available for early access on PC for $29.99. Jagex has confirmed that the price will increase upon the game's full release. During the early access period, all updates will be free, though future post-launch content may be offered as paid DLC.