Jagex announces RuneScape 4 and an animated series at RuneFest
At RuneFest in Birmingham, Jagex announced RuneScape 4 is in early development and revealed a RuneScape animated series with Lyrical Animation and creator Charlie "MoistCr1TiKaL" White.
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The story, neutrally told
Mixed · 2Jagex announced at its RuneFest event in Birmingham, UK, on Saturday 3 October 2026 that RuneScape 4 is in development. Radio TimesN “Jagex has officially announced that RunScape 4 is in development.” Read at Radio Times ↗ VarietyLC “announced on stage at RuneFest in Birmingham, UK, on Saturday.” Read at Variety ↗ Centre · 1Radio Times reported that the reveal came at the end of keynotes for RuneScape, Old School RuneScape and RuneScape: Dragonwilds, with a short teaser trailer that appeared to show a new world and engine. Radio TimesN “Shown at the conclusion of a series of keynotes given for RuneScape, Old School RuneScape and RuneScape: Dragonwilds, the reveal showed off seemingly a brand-new world and engine.” Read at Radio Times ↗ Centre · 1According to Radio Times, the project began as a proposed expansion for RuneScape: Dragonwilds before it was judged to have the potential to become something bigger. Radio TimesN “Originally born out of a proposed expansion for RuneScape: Dragonwilds, the project was eventually realised to have the potential to be something far bigger, turning into RuneScape 4.” Read at Radio Times ↗
Centre · 1The game is at an early stage: Mod North said on stage that it may be several years before players can try it, and details are sparse. Radio TimesN “Mod North confirming on stage that it may be several years before we get to see the game for ourselves.” Read at Radio Times ↗ Centre · 1Radio Times said Mod North described it as an MMO, and inferred that it looks like a standalone game separate from RuneScape and Old School RuneScape rather than a successor to RuneScape; this is the outlet's reading, not a confirmed detail. Radio TimesN “So, it certainly looks like RS4 will be a standalone MMO experience separate from either RuneScape or OSRS – and not a successor to RuneScape.” Read at Radio Times ↗ Mixed · 2Jagex also announced an animated series based on RuneScape, being developed by Lyrical Animation in partnership with YouTuber Charlie "MoistCr1TiKaL" White and Jagex; Jagex CEO Jon Bellamy announced it on stage. VarietyLC “Lyrical Animation is developing a new animation series based on “RuneScape” in partnership with creator Charlie “MoistCr1TiKaL” White and game developer Jagex” Read at Variety ↗ Radio TimesN “The animation is being made in partnership with YouTuber Charlie White, better known as MoistCr1tikal.” Read at Radio Times ↗
Left · 1Bellamy said Jagex sees potential to bring Gielinor, the RuneScape world, to life beyond games, and that it wanted players to be the first to know. VarietyLC “We see huge potential to bring Gielinor to life in new ways, both for the millions who already know and love it and for a whole new audience.” Read at Variety ↗ Left · 1White said he has played RuneScape for 22 years, and Lyrical Animation creative director Daniel Dominguez praised the game's storytelling voice. VarietyLC ““I’ve been playing RuneScape for 22 years, and it’s one of my favorite IPs ever,””“RuneScape has such a unique storytelling voice, at once laugh-out-loud funny and effortlessly insightful,”” Read at Variety ↗ Mixed · 2Lyrical Animation will produce the series with White's Meatier Productions; Variety says development is early and more details are expected in 2027. Radio Times says it comes from the production team behind adaptations of Bloodborne and Death Stranding. VarietyLC “Lyrical Animation will produce the project alongside White’s Meatier Productions. Development is in its early stages, and the company expects to reveal more details in 2027.” Read at Variety ↗ Radio TimesN “It's being made alongside the production team working on adaptations of fellow video games Bloodborne and Death Stranding.” Read at Radio Times ↗
Left · 1Jagex first released RuneScape in 2001, and the franchise now includes RuneScape, Old School RuneScape and RuneScape Dragonwilds. VarietyLC “Jagex first released “RuneScape” in 2001”“The franchise now includes “RuneScape,” “Old School RuneScape” and “RuneScape Dragonwilds.”” Read at Variety ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left1 outlet
- Framing
- Variety treats it as an entertainment-industry story about the animated series, led by Jagex's CEO and the partners' quotes. RuneScape 4 is not mentioned.
- Emphasis
- Executive and creator quotes, the 25-year franchise history, White's audience of more than 25 million, and a 2027 update.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not mention RuneScape 4 or the keynote context.
- Charged language
- “dream come true”
- For example
-
“The project will bring the world of Gielinor to the screen, and marks a new step in Jagex’s ambition to expand the “RuneScape” world beyond the gaming ecosystem.” — Variety
Centre2 outlets
- Framing
- Radio Times leads with RuneScape 4 as a big reveal, with the animated series as a second announcement, written from a gaming-fan angle.
- Emphasis
- The RuneScape 4 teaser, its Dragonwilds origins, the several-year wait and the lack of specifics.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not name Lyrical Animation or quote Bellamy.
- Charged language
- “Jagex enters new era”“shrouded in mystery”
- For example
-
“Sadly, just like RuneScape 4, many of the actual specifics of the animation remain shrouded in mystery, so we'll just have to wait to hear more on both fronts.” — Radio Times
Right0 outlets
No right outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
What every side reports
- Jagex announced a RuneScape animated series at RuneFest in Birmingham on 3 October 2026.
- The series is being made with YouTuber Charlie 'MoistCr1TiKaL' White.
- Both the series and RuneScape 4 are at an early stage with few details.
Jagex organisation
Jagex says it sees potential for RuneScape beyond games and wanted players to hear the news first; it presents RuneScape 4 as early in development.
“It’s early days, but we’re excited to explore that potential with Charlie and the team at Lyrical Animation, and we wanted our players to be the first to know.” — Variety
“Mod North confirming on stage that it may be several years before we get to see the game for ourselves.” — Radio Times
Lyrical Animation organisation
Lyrical Animation is developing the series with White's Meatier Productions and praises RuneScape's storytelling.
“Lyrical Animation will produce the project alongside White’s Meatier Productions.” — Variety
UK and Ireland1 outlet
Radio Times reports from the RuneFest angle, with RuneScape 4 first.
“A RuneScape animated series was also officially announced at Jagex's RuneFest in Brimingham.” — Radio Times
Radio Times
North America2 outlets
Variety covers only the animated series, as an entertainment-business story.
“Lyrical Animation will produce the project alongside White’s Meatier Productions.” — Variety
Variety, Screen Rant
Left1 article
-
‘RuneScape’-Inspired Animation Series in the Works From Lyrical Animation and Jagex
Neutral Press-release-style trade report on the animated series built around executive and creator quotes.
Centre2 articles
-
RuneScape 4 announced alongside new animated series as Jagex enters new era
Mixed Fan-oriented news report that highlights RuneScape 4 and notes how little is known.
-
Right0 articles
No coverage yet.
- 3 Oct 21:15 First Radio TimesN RuneScape 4 announced alongside new animated series as Jagex enters new era
- 3 Oct 22:00 +44m VarietyLC ‘RuneScape’-Inspired Animation Series in the Works From Lyrical Animation and Jagex
- 3 Oct 22:20 +1h 5m Screen RantN RuneScape 4 Officially Revealed After 13 Years
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.