New dawn for RuneScape revealed in detail
Jagex, creator of the iconic RuneScape franchise, has announced the start of a new and ambitious era for the game as it celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2026. Unveiled during this year’s extensive RuneScape Ahead video premiere today, the roadmap sets out an ambitious series of content updates for the game, alongside an integrity-focused roadmap filled with fundamental changes to the game.
This new era for RuneScape follows the complete removal of the Treasure Hunter daily activity mechanic, following a community vote in November 2025 that saw nearly 125,000 players decide on its future. Its elimination from the game represents a major step forward in the company’s drive toward player-first design and transparency.
RuneScape Ahead Highlights
The Road to Restoration (Integrity Roadmap): Central to the year ahead is a comprehensive modernisation of RuneScape’s core systems, elevating and enhancing the player experience. The roadmap - The Road to Restoration - is a commitment from the studio to tackle the game’s biggest and most requested quality-of-life improvements in order to grow the game’s appeal, and improve consistency across the in-game world of Gielinor. The extensive roadmap includes a new look for the game with updates to the UI and improvements to its visual integrity, combat style modernisation, API plugin support, game rebalancing, overhauls to both ‘dailyscape’ content and Auras and improvements to the Grand Exchange trading system.
Player Avatar Refresh: Additionally, April will see a complete refresh of the character avatar. Long requested by players, the overhaul will see updates to models, animations, hairstyles, and clothing. Additional updates will be assessed and introduced based on community feedback.
Journey to Havenhythe: As part of the year ahead, players will also experience the release of Havenhythe, the largest area expansion in the game’s 25-year history. Launching in multiple parts throughout the year, the progressively vampiric Havenhythe will see the introduction of new quests and early-game bosses, as well as an increased level cap of 110 for the Hunter skill. Further story and boss content will follow later in 2026.
Welcome Home: Players will also gain a whole new level of control over their Player Owned Houses allowing them to create a space that feels personal, welcoming and worth visiting. Alongside an increase to 120 the Construction skill will get a new recipe system that lets players unlock and build furniture inspired by in-game achievements, adventures and victories.
Leagues Returns!: Following a successful debut in 2025, this autumn will also see the limited-time game mode, Leagues II, come to RuneScape. Tweaked and finely tuned with community feedback, expect new overpowered relics, new tasks and challenges, and new rewards… all with a Leagues twist. Progression through the tiers will also be supercharged, enabling players to experience the ferocity of the mode quicker than before.
RuneFest 2026: Jagex has also announced further details on its fan-centric event RuneFest, which was announced last week during the RS25 premiere. 6,000 fans will be able to attend and participate in the biggest ever in-person celebration of all things RuneScape on 3rd-4th October 2026, when RuneFest returns to the NEC in Birmingham, UK. Attendees can expect two stages of live reveals, developer sessions, behind-the-scenes insights, and unforgettable community moments. Tickets go on sale later in this spring at RuneFest.com.