Surprise! RuneScape Survival Spin-Off ‘Dragonwilds’ Just Shadow-Dropped on Steam Early Access

Well, that was fast! Just two weeks after its big reveal, Jagex has surprise-launched its new survival spin-off, RuneScape: Dragonwilds, into Early Access on Steam. If you’re a fan of RuneScape, survival crafting games, or both, you can jump in right now.

What is RuneScape: Dragonwilds?

Think Valheim meets the world of Gielinor. RuneScape: Dragonwilds is an open-world survival game where groups of up to four players must brave a harsh landscape filled with dangerous creatures. As the name suggests, formidable dragons are a key threat, ready to make survival a serious challenge.

The core gameplay loop involves:

• Exploring: Discovering the secrets of this dangerous new region of the RuneScape universe.
• Crafting: Creating tools, weapons, and gear necessary to survive.
• Building: Establishing settlements to provide shelter and a base of operations.
• Cooperating: Working strategically with your team to overcome threats and thrive.

It’s a departure from the traditional MMO format of RuneScape, focusing squarely on cooperative survival and base building against tough PvE challenges.

Community-Driven Development

Jagex is emphasizing a community-focused approach for Dragonwilds‘ development during its Early Access phase. On the game’s Steam page, they state:

“We’re committed to making RuneScape: Dragonwilds a community-driven game that players want to come back to again and again… The best way to make a game we know fans will love, is to make it with them!”

They highlight that feedback from closed alpha tests was “fundamental” in shaping the current Early Access version and intend to keep listening closely to player input moving forward.

Early Access Details & Future Plans

RuneScape: Dragonwilds is currently available for $29.99 USD (check Steam for regional pricing). Jagex anticipates the game will remain in Early Access until potentially early 2026.

During this period, players can expect ongoing development and updates, which are included in the initial purchase price. The planned full release aims to feature significantly more content, including:

• More gameplay systems
• Additional spells and skills
• New quests
• More enemy types
• Seasonal events
• Expanded crafting resources

Jagex has confirmed that the price will increase when the game fully launches out of Early Access.

One Curious Catch: Epic Games Login Required

Here’s an unexpected quirk: While RuneScape: Dragonwilds is currently exclusive to Steam for purchase and play, it requires an Epic Games account login to run.

This requirement is puzzling and has drawn some early comparisons to the Helldivers 2 situation regarding PSN accounts. Whether community feedback might lead Jagex to reconsider this requirement remains to be seen. For now, potential buyers should be aware that linking or creating an Epic Games account is mandatory to play, even through Steam.

Ready to Brave the Dragonwilds?

The sudden arrival of RuneScape: Dragonwilds is exciting news for survival game enthusiasts and RuneScape veterans looking for a new way to experience the world. If you’re ready to gather resources, build a fort, and face down some dragons with friends, you can head over to Steam now – just remember that Epic Games login requirement before you dive in!