Jagex is venturing into fresh territory by introducing a new survival experience within the beloved RuneScape universe. The developer has officially announced RuneScape: Dragonwilds, an open world survival game designed for cooperative play, with early access slated for release this spring.

Set in a sprawling new continent known as Ashenfall, Dragonwilds supports one to four players working together to sharpen their skills, establish camps, grow stronger, and fend off formidable enemies, especially dragons. The continent itself is divided into two regions featuring five distinct biomes, with more areas potentially arriving post-launch. While Ashenfall isn't part of RuneScape’s traditional landscape, long-time fans will discover nostalgic references sprinkled throughout, such as a wizard’s tower or a familiar castle reminiscent of classic RuneScape locations.

Dragonwilds presents players with a fresh yet familiar world populated by creatures both new and reimagined. Expect to encounter classic RuneScape beasts like rats, trolls, cows, and, of course, dragons, but with a twist. The wild magic of Ashenfall has reshaped these creatures into nature-infused versions, featuring appearances altered by plants, thorns, and other organic elements.

Skill Mastery and Nostalgic Gameplay

At the heart of the Dragonwilds experience is skill development, incorporating classic RuneScape activities like cooking and woodcutting. However, the new game reimagines these skills with innovative mechanics. During a sneak peek at the Game Developers' Conference, a player demonstrated the use of wind runes to glide through the air, enhancing traversal options significantly.

Additionally, a fresh take on woodcutting involves a technique humorously dubbed ax-tral projection, where players can line up a series of trees and hurl a spectral axe to chop them all down simultaneously.

Early Access

RuneScape: Dragonwilds is expected to enter early access on PC this spring, with a broader launch, including consoles, planned for 2026. Fans eager to learn more can tune into a deep-dive reveal hosted by Jagex on Twitch on April 15 at 9:00 AM PT.

With Dragonwilds, Jagex aims to deliver an exciting new survival experience while remaining true to the RuneScape legacy. As the game's early access launch approaches, anticipation continues to build among both veterans and newcomers alike.