RuneScape: Dragonwilds – Survival, Dragons, and Magic! Early Access Q1 2025

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Hailing from the persistent online role-playing game, RuneScape, comes RuneScape: Dragonwilds – a team-based, open-world survival game blended with RPG elements. The continent of Ashenfall is imbued with raw magic and teeming with fearsome dragons under the rule of the mighty Dragon Queen. Whether you embark on this magical new land alone or with companions, players in RuneScape: Dragonwilds will be tasked with surviving by enhancing skills, battling foes, and uncovering the mysteries hidden within the lost continent and its dragon-ruled inhabitants.

Game Rant recently had a chat with Jesse America, the executive producer of the upcoming game “RuneScape: Dragonwilds”, set to debut in Early Access during Q1 2025. He explained how the survival sandbox genre meshes harmoniously with the RuneScape universe, and detailed how established RuneScape features have been adapted for use within the open world of “RuneScape: Dragonwilds”. The conversation also touched upon the central roles magic and dragons will play in the continent of Ashenfall. Furthermore, Jesse shared that the Jagex team intends to actively gather feedback from the community during Early Access and devise a comprehensive roadmap for regular monthly, quarterly, and annual updates. (For clarity and conciseness, this transcript has been slightly modified.)

The Survival Genre Was A Natural Fit For RuneScape’s World

As a passionate gamer, I’ve always been curious about the origin of the captivating world of Dragonwilds. Was this immersive universe destined to stand alone from the very beginning, or was it once an integral part of RuneScape? Here’s my take on how I might rephrase that question:

“Hey there, fellow gaming enthusiasts! Ever wondered about the birthplace of Dragonwilds? Was this mesmerizing game always intended to be a standalone title, or did it initially sprout from the vast RuneScape realm?

If I reflect on my past experiences with Jagex, which spans approximately five and a half years, I can confirm that there has been a continuous fascination with the survival genre. This interest dates back quite far. In fact, I suspect that there were endeavors, possibly in RuneScape or Old School RuneScape, to incorporate something similar to a survival game mode within these games. However, to directly respond to your question, no. When we made the decision to create Dragonwilds (originally known by another name), it was evident that this project would be developed using Unreal 5 and would not be linked to our existing games.

Q: What was it like translating survival game mechanics into the world of RuneScape?

In simpler terms, their compatibility feels quite natural, as the skills you master in RuneScape evoke a sense of being in a wilderness, where you chop trees and start fires. This sentiment aligns well. The RuneScape games, particularly Old School, don’t typically guide the player extensively, which is another aspect that resonates with survival and freedom.

In our player questionnaires, we often ask questions like “What defines RuneScape for you?” or “What is RuneScape all about for you?” The truth is, many players find it quite relaxing. They are specifically interested in aspects of RuneScape such as its lore, characters, equipment, skills, and so on. What consistently ranks high among RuneScape players is the sense of freedom they experience. This freedom lets them choose what they want to do during their gaming session.

A survival game, essentially a sandbox type, revolves around freedom. For us, this particular blend was reminiscent of the unique qualities of “RuneScape“. What keeps RuneScape engaging, and what thrives in the world of Gielinor? Survival seemed to be the most suitable fit for that.

The survival game genre, encompassing open world, sandbox, and crafting games like V Rising, Conan Exiles, Valheim, Ark, and Rust, can be considered as “MMO adjacent.” This genre, with its continuous evolution, is currently represented by Dragonwilds, which marks the beginning of its journey. As we move forward, the borderlines between MMOs and survival games may become increasingly unclear, especially in future developments. Therefore, we refer to it as “MMO adjacent,” a term we believe perfectly suits our offerings within the company.

Is there a chance that mechanics from RuneScape or Old School RuneScape might appear in Dragonwilds, or will everything be entirely fresh and new?

One fundamental aspect that plays a crucial role in RuneScape is skill-building, aiming to elevate your skills up to Level 99. This will also facilitate your journey into Dragonwilds. Skill-building forms the essence of our game experience.

A: Similar to RuneScape, will there be a blend of skills involving combat, such as fighting or magic, along with skills that are not combat-related, for instance, cooking or woodcutting?

Indeed, you’re correct. We possess the ability to woodcut and cook. Cooking plays a crucial role in survival when venturing into the wilderness. Discovering delightful recipes and enhancing that skill, along with other skills you will progress, is essential to the core gameplay mechanics of Dragonwilds.

That’s awesome. I loved the cooking in RuneScape.

As a dedicated gamer myself, I can tell you that it’s fascinating to think about the individuals behind the scenes who are meticulously crafting the core gameplay mechanics of

A: Is the narrative structure of Dragonwilds also non-linear like RuneScape, where players can complete quests in any sequence, or does it follow a more conventional linear pathway?

This story has a sandbox-like quality, offering ample space for any tale we can imagine. The main structure revolves around a significant peril, a looming menace, and an immense, legendary, epic history behind the events of Ashenfall. Questions like why specific incidents occurred and how Ashenfall came to its current form are central to the storyline. With such a vast, expansive narrative, it’s designed to accommodate numerous future plot developments, seasonal stories, yearly quests, and more – ensuring a wealth of content for years to come. In essence, it has been carefully crafted in this way.

The Continent of Ashenfall: A Land Of Wild Anima Magic, Strange Beasts, And Powerful Dragons

A: What fascinates me about the continent of Ashenfall is its pervasive wild magic. Can you explain how this will impact the gaming experience for players?

In this world, living beings have been influenced by the emergence of anima from the earth. From the very beginning of the game, you can harness this energy to power your magical skills. However, as the game progresses, you’ll notice that creatures have undergone transformations due to the magical energy emanating from the ground. This is something we refer to as the “anima twist.” For example, an ordinary animal in the starting zone might seem familiar at first, but as you venture deeper into Ashenfall, it will appear and behave quite differently due to this “anima twist.

We aren’t discussing anything gory or frightening, as we aim to maintain a fun, light-hearted, and occasionally humorous atmosphere, while still keeping things visually appealing. This, combined with the magical activities you perform, is shaped by the energy emanating from the earth, which we refer to as anima.

A: Is it assured that Dragonwild offers alternatives for those preferring a more physically-based game, where the emphasis is on wielding weapons such as swords or bows instead of magic?

Sure thing!

In the game, we isolate combat magic as its own feature because it is another skill that can be leveled up. This section includes using fire spells, air spells, and other quick-damage moments. If you prefer not to engage with this aspect, it’s easy enough by never equipping a staff or wizard’s gear, instead always wearing heavy armor and wielding a sword and shield. You won’t need to interact with combat magic at all in that case. However, if you want to leave the spell-casting to your friends, feel free to do so – it’s entirely up to your choice!

Speaking from the heart as an ardent player, when it comes to mastering the art of survival magic within the captivating world of RuneScape, there’s a familiar set of skills at your disposal: woodcutting, cooking, construction, among others. As you progress and level up, you’ll discover a variety of enchanting spells designed to aid your survival adventure. These spells are primarily functional in nature, but they can be overlooked if you so choose. However, I must say, they significantly simplify your journey through the game.

In the previews, you might have noticed it – it’s the unique feature called astral projection where instead of manual tree-chopping, it’s done magically. I must admit, chopping down trees in our game provides a great sense of fulfillment. There are team members at the studio who dedicate their time solely to initiating new games and then clearing the entire starting zone of trees. It’s incredibly therapeutic, if you haven’t tried it yet, just imagine the soothing background music while felling trees.

If you’re not interested in that, there are a few spells where you can simply twirl two or three trees and then transform them into wood using another spell. It’s the convenience we offer that sets us apart, something that makes us stand out just a bit from the rest.

Question: Since the name of the game is Dragonwilds, it’s obvious that dragons will have a significant presence. Could you provide additional details on how dragons will interact with players, particularly in combat scenarios?

The fundamental narrative or overarching storyline that I shared initially, which serves as the backdrop for the events in Ashenfall, is essentially what governs and drives the dragons. From the onset of your gaming journey, dragons are an integral part of this world, causing trouble and disturbances. By the time you’ve amassed enough power to consider taking action against them, you might find yourself exhausted by their constant aerial presence and harassment.

They’ll play a significant part in your gaming journey, and let’s not forget, you’ll conquer them alongside your friends. Currently, we have an extensive plan for content and updates that lie ahead. We’ll be discussing these details during our live stream on April 15th. Additionally, expect to encounter more dragons, dragon-like beings, and dragon-themed items within the game. This will create a unique gameplay cycle with its own perks, essentially serving as an end-game activity, correct?

This experience caters to the bravest among us, yet as we observed in Alpha, others can immerse themselves endlessly in a playful environment, constructing homes, tending to their miniature estates, and delighting in the game at their own pace. In essence, there’s something for everyone here.

A: Who’s the ruler of the dragons in Ashenfall, the Dragon Queen? Can you give us some insights on her character – is she an enemy that players must confront directly, or rather a danger that simmers beneath the surface?

As a gamer, I’m excited to share that encountering the Dragon Queen won’t happen right away in our game. Instead, it’s set further down the line, creating an extended narrative arc. Initially, you won’t engage her in combat; instead, your journey will be filled with challenges leading up to this epic battle. This approach allows us to keep the game fresh and engaging for a long time, ensuring there’s plenty of content for players to explore before they can finally defeat the Dragon Queen.

A: In RuneScape, I cherish the amusing experiences, such as the time they provided a ring that transformed me into an egg for Easter. I wandered around the map taking selfies as an egg in various locations. Will we see similar humor in Dragonwilds?

One of our writers is a seasoned developer from the world of RuneScape, having previously worked as a content designer there. He’s particularly skilled at infusing our quests and lore with the same kind of humor he helped create in RuneScape. Consequently, you can expect to find similar elements in our game. As we continue to grow and develop, we aim to maintain that blend of humor, intelligence, and tone found in what you’ve described.

RuneScape: Dragonwilds Will Have A Regular Update Schedule And Seek Community Support

A: Is it expected that Dragonwilds will also host seasonal events or special occasions like holidays and large, time-limited festivities, much like RuneScape does?

Absolutely! We plan updates throughout the year, with significant ones happening each season – spring, summer, fall, and winter. These larger updates are packed with exciting features that we can label as such. Additionally, we have events and special content planned for each quarter of the year.

To begin, correct? As our conversation with the community evolves about the direction of this game and what they envision for its future, we may introduce targeted suggestions for particular timeframes. Since we enjoy events ourselves, being avid MMO players, it’s only natural that we’ll incorporate them into the game.

A: With Dragonwilds’ rapid development timeline, we’ve moved from alpha testing to announcing the game just a week ago, and aiming for an Early Access release in Q1 2025. Can you imagine what it’s been like for our team as things progress so swiftly?

For us, the alpha testing phase was a captivating period. We managed to gather a substantial number of players to test our alpha version, reaching approximately four to five rounds, each growing progressively larger. In the final stage, over 12,000 individuals were participating, which was quite an impressive figure. The feedback we received during this testing phase proved incredibly valuable.

A few individuals suggested that it might be beneficial to release the game earlier through Early Access, so they could provide feedback and help shape its development. This idea aligns with our own thoughts regarding the game. You should know that Jagex values player input when deciding what features the game needs. Whether it’s positive or negative feedback, we always take the community’s opinions into account. For Dragonwilds, this means we will continue to adapt, implement changes, and create new content based on your feedback.

Two years ago, during our initial stages of development, I always followed the motto: let’s launch ahead of time. We didn’t want to employ early access as a marketing strategy for our final product, as that doesn’t align with Jagex’s values. It’s not in our nature. Instead, I preferred to release early, in a polished state, and then gather feedback from the community about where we should head next and what they’d like to see. We design extensive features, some of which might not appeal to all players or suggest alternative directions for us to explore.

Absolutely! Our momentum isn’t just for show; it’s fueled by genuine excitement throughout our team. It’s not a marketing ploy, but rather, we’re genuinely thrilled to put this game into players’ hands and engage with the community about our future plans.

A: How is the timeline for your team’s Early Access launch and subsequent phase shaping up? Are we expecting to receive substantial amounts of feedback and make numerous revisions during this time?

As an enthusiast, I’m excited to share that we’re gathering feedback primarily through our vibrant Discord server and our devoted community. Mod Doom and a few more recent additions to our crew will jot down key points as they arise, with the specifics depending on how things unfold. There might even be instances where members of our development team join streams or engage directly with the community for real-time feedback, which we’ll diligently document.

We propose to maintain an open dialogue with our community by providing regular updates on our development priorities and features. We’d like to hear your thoughts on what you consider most important, and suggestions for improvements. We strive to release updates at least once a month, although unforeseen circumstances might occasionally cause delays. Even when life or technical issues get in the way, we aim to consistently deliver quality-of-life fixes and smaller updates.

Every three months, we plan to roll out an update that focuses on meaningful content for our players, accompanied by a specific theme. And once a year, we intend to make a substantial change to the game that significantly alters its experience. This approach represents our commitment to supporting and evolving the game over time.

We strive to avoid becoming a survival game that launches and then fades into obscurity, leaving players wondering if there will be any further updates. Instead, we aim to incorporate the consistent content delivery characteristic of MMOs into our schedule, ensuring players feel that new content is forthcoming and can rely on us for regular updates.

As a game enthusiast, I’m always on the lookout for ways to engage with fellow gamers, especially within communities like Dragonwilds. Once this game is available in Early Access, here’s how you can get involved and share your feedback:

1. Register an account: Sign up for an account on the official Dragonwilds website or platform where it will be launched. This will grant you access to community features like forums, social media groups, and more.

2. Join the conversation: Participate in discussions by posting your thoughts, questions, or experiences about the game within these community spaces. Sharing your insights can help improve the game and foster a richer gaming experience for everyone involved.

3. Provide feedback: Keep an eye out for official feedback surveys or polls that may be released during Early Access. Your input is crucial in helping the developers make necessary adjustments and improvements to Dragonwilds.

4. Play and report bugs: As you explore Dragonwilds, don’t hesitate to report any issues or bugs you encounter. This will help ensure a smoother gaming experience for all players.

5. Be an active member: Engage with other community members, offer support when needed, and contribute positively to discussions. Together, we can create a vibrant and welcoming Dragonwilds community!

B:It’s as simple as hopping onto our Discord server. That’s where you can interact directly with Mod Doom, me, and other team members. During the alpha phase, we were all there, and now even more Jagex folks have joined the Discord and started chatting with us!

A: Are you about to embark on the adventure of Dragonwilds during its Early Access phase? Since it’s an expansive sandbox game that doesn’t guide players through their journey, here are some tips for newcomers:

1. Explore and Experiment: The world of Dragonwilds is vast and full of surprises. Don’t hesitate to explore every nook and cranny to uncover hidden secrets or resources.
2. Prioritize Your Goals: With so much to do, it can be overwhelming. Set clear goals for yourself and focus on achieving them one at a time.
3. Learn the Mechanics: Familiarize yourself with the game’s mechanics, such as resource gathering, crafting, and dragon taming. This will help you navigate the game more efficiently.
4. Be Patient: Remember that mastery takes time. Don’t rush through the game; instead, take your time to learn and grow in the world of Dragonwilds.
5. Collaborate with Others: If possible, team up with other players for shared experiences, collaborative projects, or simply to offer mutual support. Teamwork can make your journey more enjoyable and productive.

I suggest interacting with the Non-Player Characters (NPCs) for some insightful dialogue. We aren’t like an RPG that constantly guides you, but listening to the NPCs, following their guidance, and exploring on your own will lead to fun discoveries.

Q: Anything else you’d like to tell Game Rant’s readers about RuneScape: Dragonwilds?

On April 15th, we invite everyone to tune in for our live stream event. We’ll unveil even more of the game, delving deeper into the creative process behind its artistry, music, and design. It promises to be an exciting showcase, so mark your calendars and join us!

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2025-04-13 15:26