RuneScape: Dragonwilds has taken the gaming world by surprise with its early access launch, coming just weeks after its initial teaser. Dive into the details of this unexpected release and discover what's in store for players during this exciting phase.
RuneScape: Dragonwilds Early Access Livestream
Early Access Available Now!
RuneScape: Dragonwilds made a thrilling announcement during its early access livestream on April 16, revealing that the game is now accessible for early access on Steam. This comes as a shock to fans, as the game had only been available for wishlisting on Steam since April 1 and showcased its first official gameplay teaser on April 2. Although the game was first teased in 2022, it wasn't until late 2024 that Jagex opened alpha testing signups for what was then described as a "new survival game set in the RuneScape universe." The official reveal of RuneScape: Dragonwilds came on March 31, 2025.
Estimated Official Release Date in Early 2026
The developers at Jagex have set their sights on an early 2026 release for Dragonwilds. They emphasized their commitment to delivering a polished and enjoyable experience, stating, "We want to spend the time to get everything right to make sure that our players get a complete, satisfying experience that you’ll want to revisit with friends again and again."
Jagex's Executive Producer, Jesse America, highlighted that Dragonwilds represents a fresh take on the RuneScape universe, designed specifically for fans of the franchise. He noted that the early access phase is just the beginning of their development journey, saying, "Throughout Early Access, we’ll be updating the game regularly with new content and features, while listening closely to the community to deliver an iconic open world survival crafting game that is loved equally by our biggest RuneScape fans and new players alike."
Early Access Roadmap Revealed
Jagex has also shared the early access roadmap for Dragonwilds, giving players a glimpse into the planned updates. A highlight of these updates is the introduction of a new region, Fellhollow, a mystical area caught between life and death. This region is governed by the soul-eater dragon Imaru and is 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, along with new skills in magic, ranged combat, and farming.
Additionally, the game will feature new enemy types such as Lesser Dragons, dragon slayer gear, a hardcore mode, and a creative mode. While specific release dates for these updates are not yet set, Jagex assures continuous improvements throughout the early access period.
Early Access Rewards
Those who purchase Dragonwilds during its early access phase will receive exclusive in-game rewards. According to the game's Steam page, "Early Adopters" will be granted the following:
- Pioneer’s Scarf
- Pioneer’s Tapestry
- Pioneer’s Cape
- 2 pieces of music from the game
RuneScape: Dragonwilds is currently 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, but future post-launch content may be offered as paid DLC.
