If any gaming franchise was going to get a survival game spin-off, RuneScape probably makes the most sense. It already features a ton of the same mechanics, including crafting, an energy system, and Wintertodt‘s frozen landscape.
So it doesn’t surprise us at all to learn that Jagex is working on that very game. It’s an entirely new game that takes place within the RuneScape universe, but neither RuneScape nor OSRS.

Is This Real?!
Jagex has confirmed the existence of the game in a Tweet (an X?!) along with a solitary detail: it’s being built in Unreal Engine 5. That seems like an incredibly ambitious undertaking for a studio that built its business on browser games, but we’re here for it.
Crucially though, you can sign up for the closed alpha test right now. We took a look through the form and you have to sign an NDA and play the game for at least 10 hours. You get access to the Discord though, and can chat with the developers and other players.
That means you will play a big part in developing this exciting new game.
What Could a RuneScape Survival Game Play Like?
All we can do is speculate, but we imagine it will draw from RuneScape’s mechanics first and foremost. You will likely still increase the level of your skills by performing actions over and over, including gathering materials and perhaps even navigating obstacles using athletics.
But there will likely be a greater emphasis on building stuff. Perhaps you can build your own town? Maybe the world will be built in large by the players? Combat could be more than just clicking and using skills? Only time will tell.
One thing that is possible is that this could easily become the biggest version of RuneScape. If Jagex can pull off a massive open world RuneScape adventure in Unreal Engine 5, it could be an unstoppable juggernaut.
Just don’t expect us to stop playing OSRS. Ever.