RuneScape Unveils Dragonwilds Roadmap Post Early Access Surprise

RuneScape: Dragonwilds has taken the gaming world by surprise with its sudden early access release, arriving just weeks after its first official teaser. Discover what this unexpected launch means for fans and what lies ahead in the game’s development journey.

RuneScape: Dragonwilds Early Access Livestream

Early Access Is Live!

In a thrilling turn of events, RuneScape: Dragonwilds launched into early access without warning. During an exclusive livestream on April 16, developer Jagex revealed that the game is now available on Steam—mere weeks after the debut of its first gameplay trailer.

The announcement stunned the community. The game only appeared on Steam with a wishlist option on April 1, followed by its first official gameplay teaser on April 2. Though first hinted at in 2022, it wasn’t until late 2024 that Jagex opened alpha sign-ups for a “new survival game set in the RuneScape universe.” The official unveiling under the name RuneScape: Dragonwilds came on March 31, 2025—making the early access launch one of the fastest transitions from reveal to release in recent memory.

Targeting Full Release in Early 2026

Jagex has set its sights on an official full release in early 2026. The team emphasized their commitment to delivering a polished, immersive 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.”

Executive Producer Jesse America highlighted that Dragonwilds represents a bold new direction for the RuneScape franchise—one crafted specifically for longtime fans while remaining accessible to newcomers. He described early access as just the beginning of a collaborative development process.

“We’ll be updating the game regularly with new content and features,” America said, “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 Unveiled

Jagex has shared a detailed early access roadmap outlining upcoming content and major features planned for Dragonwilds. At the top of the list is the introduction of Fellhollow, a mysterious new region suspended between life and death.

Fellhollow is governed by Imaru, the soul-eater dragon, and shaped by the chaotic wild anima of Ashenfall and the dark energies of the Underworld. Players will be joined by the legendary RuneScape figure Death, who plays a pivotal role in the unfolding narrative. This expansion will bring new quests, deep lore exploration, exclusive gear, original music, and enhancements to key skills including magic, ranged combat, and farming.

Additional planned features include:

• Lesser Dragons as a new enemy type
• Dragon Slayer gear for elite combat challenges
• Hardcore mode for high-stakes survival
• Creative mode for unrestricted building and exploration
• Ongoing balance improvements and performance optimizations

While exact release dates for these updates haven’t been confirmed, Jagex promises consistent content drops and active community engagement throughout early access.

Exclusive Early Adopter Rewards

Players who join during early access will receive special in-game rewards as a thank-you for supporting the game’s development. According to the Steam store page, Early Adopters will unlock:

● Pioneer’s Scarf
● Pioneer’s Tapestry
● Pioneer’s Cape
● 2 exclusive tracks from the game’s original soundtrack

RuneScape: Dragonwilds is now available on PC via Steam for $29.99. Jagex has confirmed the price will increase at full release. All early access updates will be free, though future post-launch content may be released as paid DLC.

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