Jagex Partners with MoistCr1TiKaL for Animated RuneScape Series

Key points

• Jagex CEO Jon Bellamy revealed the animated series at RuneFest 2026 in Birmingham, UK, following the Old School RuneScape keynote.
• The series will be produced by Lyrical Animation in collaboration with Charlie 'MoistCr1TiKaL' White and his production company, Meatier Productions.
• White, who has over 25 million followers, is a longtime RuneScape player and has previously collaborated with Lyrical Animation on the 'Godslap' animated film.
• Development is in early stages, with Jagex promising more details in 2027 to coincide with the game's 25th anniversary.
• The announcement aligns with Jagex's strategy to expand RuneScape into a broader ecosystem, including the upcoming RuneScape 4 MMO built in Unreal Engine.

Background

RuneScape, first released in 2001, is a fantasy MMORPG set in the medieval world of Gielinor. Over 25 years, the franchise has grown to include Old School RuneScape and RuneScape Dragonwilds, generating over $3 billion in lifetime revenue and 300 million accounts. Jagex has been expanding its ecosystem, including the recent console release of RuneScape Dragonwilds and the announcement of RuneScape 4, a new MMO in early development. The animated series represents Jagex's first major foray into non-gaming media for the franchise.

How outlets are covering it

Gizmodo emphasizes the cultural significance of the game-to-TV adaptation trend and highlights White's role as a creator. Jagex's press release focuses on the strategic expansion of the RuneScape brand beyond gaming, noting the potential to reach new audiences. TechPowerUp, while primarily covering the RuneScape 4 MMO announcement, notes the broader context of Jagex's multi-platform strategy. All sources agree on the early stage of development and the 2027 timeline for further details, but differ in emphasis: Gizmodo and Jagex focus on the animated series, while TechPowerUp highlights the MMO's Unreal Engine development and its origins as a Dragonwilds expansion.

Why it matters

The RuneScape animated series marks a significant step for Jagex in diversifying its franchise beyond gaming, leveraging popular digital creators to reach new audiences. This move reflects a broader industry trend of adapting long-standing games into other media formats, potentially expanding the cultural impact of the RuneScape brand. The collaboration with MoistCr1TiKaL, a prominent YouTuber, suggests Jagex is targeting younger, digitally-native audiences while maintaining its core fanbase.

What to watch

Jagex plans to release more details about the animated series in 2027. Development is in early stages, and no specific release date has been announced. The company is also focusing on the development of RuneScape 4, which is expected to be a few years away. Existing RuneScape titles, including Old School RuneScape and Dragonwilds, will continue operating alongside the new projects.