RuneScape: Dragonwilds has officially launched in early access on Steam, just two weeks after developer Jagex made its exciting announcement. This new title is an open-world, Valheim-like spin-off of the beloved massively multiplayer online game, RuneScape. In Dragonwilds, players can team up in groups of up to four adventurers, facing the challenges of a harsh world filled with perilous beasts, most notably the formidable dragons that threaten to disrupt their survival.
The essence of RuneScape: Dragonwilds lies in exploration, crafting, and building settlements. Strategic cooperation among players is crucial for survival, as the game tasks them with navigating a dangerous environment teeming with threats. “We’re committed to making RuneScape: Dragonwilds a community-driven game that players want to come back to again and again,” Jagex states on its Steam page. This commitment highlights the importance of community feedback in shaping the game's development.
According to Jagex, the best way to create a game that fans will love is by involving them in the development process from the very beginning. “RuneScape games have always been enriched by community voice at their core, and we’re applying that same approach to RuneScape: Dragonwilds,” the developers emphasize. This focus on community input is expected to be a driving force behind the game's evolution.
As for how long RuneScape: Dragonwilds will remain in early access, the developers anticipate that the game could be ready for an official launch by early 2026. The full version is set to introduce a wealth of new content, including additional systems, spells, skills, quests, enemies, seasonal events, and crafting resources. Players should note that a price increase is expected when transitioning from early access—currently priced at $29.99—to the official launch. However, during the early access phase, players will not incur charges for updates.
Jagex aims to ensure that the player experience is both complete and satisfying, encouraging players to revisit the game with friends. “We want to spend the time to get everything right, ensuring that our players have an experience they’ll want to come back to,” the developer adds. With numerous closed Alpha tests conducted globally, the feedback received has been invaluable in refining the game for early access, and Jagex plans to continue collaborating with the community moving forward.
While RuneScape: Dragonwilds is currently available exclusively through Steam, players should be aware that it requires an Epic Games login to play. This unusual requirement has sparked some backlash within the gaming community, leading to speculation that Jagex may reconsider this decision, similar to how Helldivers 2 addressed its own account issues. For now, players are encouraged to keep this in mind before purchasing their early access copy.
