Jagex has unveiled a brand new RuneScape MMO, which is planned to run alongside the other games in its long running fantasy series. The studio revealed the project at RuneFest Birmingham this weekend, describing it as an "entirely new RuneScape MMORPG." For now it carries the working title RS4, a nod to it being the company's "fourth generation" of RuneScape, though Jagex made it clear that this won't be the final name. A short teaser trailer is the only footage shown so far.

One of the biggest changes this time around is the engine, as RS4 is being developed in Unreal Engine. The game takes place in Gielinor during the sixth age, set years after the events of the recently released RuneScape Dragonwilds, and the story begins in Ashenfall. In a new blog post, Jagex shared its plans for the world: "Our ambition is for this adventure to grow far beyond Ashenfall over time, moving into places you know and love, as well as opening up new places and stories across Gielinor."

According to Jagex, RS4 is "still a few years away." The studio explained that it chose to announce the game this early so players can be involved in shaping it from the start. "For 25 years, RuneScape has been shaped by its players. We've learned that our games are at their best when we build with you, not just for you. So we want to do that from the beginning, and that means bringing you into the development journey earlier than you might expect - sharing ideas, testing things, listening and learning as we go."

Jagex also made a point of reassuring fans that RS4 isn't meant to replace any of its current titles, including Old School, RuneScape, and Dragonwilds. The studio says each of those games will keep its own "dedicated teams, exciting roadmaps and continued investment." Reflecting on the series' history, Jagex added: "25 years ago, Runescape began with a world, a small team and a community that helped turn it into something far bigger than anyone could have imagined. Now we get to start another adventure together."