Jagex has cancelled RuneScape Reignited, the fresh-start character type it unveiled at RuneFest on October 3, after twelve days of pushback from existing players. “It is clear that we missed the mark on this, and so we are not moving forward with it,” creative director Mod Ryan said in a video and blog post on October 15. The December 2 update still goes ahead, and the free members’ trial that was meant for Reignited characters now goes to new and lapsed players instead.
Mod Ryan announced the cancellation in a video and blog post on October 15. Image: Jagex
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What was RuneScape Reignited?
According to Jagex’s original announcement, Reignited was “a new permanent character type” with its own economy and hiscores and “no paid progression available.” Reignited characters would have shared the same worlds as everyone else, plus some Reignited-only worlds, but could not trade with existing “Veteran” characters, use their Grand Exchange or join their boss instances. A Hall of Legends would have reopened world-first achievements, with statues for the players who claimed them. It was due on December 2, with ten days of free membership for Reignited characters.
What players objected to
Three days after the reveal, Jagex said it was re-evaluating the project and apologised: “We have made you, as existing players, feel like you are no longer our focus.” It listed the main concerns it had heard from players:
- Veteran characters would no longer matter, and new players would be treated as more important.
- Veteran worlds would empty out if players moved to Reignited, fragmenting a playerbase many already see as small.
- The limits on how Veteran and Reignited characters could interact “do not feel good,” and untradeable items and cosmetics would be cut off.
- Players felt pressured to restart to stay relevant, and having to pay for a separate membership for a new character “does not feel good.”
An October 9 follow-up floated fixes, including letting players “Reignite” an existing character within their current membership, exclusive Veteran rewards such as a special Max Cape cosmetic, and possibly dropping Reignited-only worlds. In that post Mod Ryan also said RuneScape “today has hundreds of thousands of Members” and has been “trending on a slight decline.” Six days later, the project was gone.
Why Jagex pulled the plug
Mod Ryan tied the decision to one of the game’s most divisive moments: “the last time we didn’t listen to player feedback, combat changed forever. And it has taken us over a decade to recover from that.” He added that the goal is still to grow RuneScape with new and returning players, “but never at the expense of our existing community.”
Players on the game’s subreddit welcomed the reversal, IGN reports, with one writing that it “does go a long way to rebuilding trust.” The Reignited announcement had itself pointed to a year spent removing what Jagex called “integrity-breaking” features such as Dailyscape, Auras and MTX items.
The free 10-day membership trial: dates and who qualifies
| Detail | What Jagex says |
|---|---|
| Dates | December 2 to 12, 2026 (exact timings to be confirmed) |
| Who qualifies | New characters, or any character with no active membership since June 2, 2026 |
| What you get | Access to RuneScape members’ worlds and content |
| Cost | No purchase or subscription required |
| Not included | Old School RuneScape members’ worlds |
| Current members | Not eligible, and no refunds for subscriptions or purchases |
The trial arrives with the Adventure Guide and the first part of the Remastered Journey, which also launch on December 2. “No split worlds, just you, me, and the many players coming in,” Mod Ryan said.
Jagex's updated 2027 roadmap: the December 2 return with a 10-day free trial, then Hoard of Dragons, City of Gnomes and Secrets of Karamja. Image: Jagex
What about Old School RuneScape?
Reignited was planned for RuneScape, the main game often called RS3, and none of Jagex’s Reignited posts described any changes to Old School RuneScape, which runs as a separate game. The new trial does not extend to it either: Jagex says “Old School RuneScape Members Worlds are not included,” and the terms state the offer “does not apply to Old School RuneScape.” OSRS players who want free members’ access in December will not get it through this promotion.
What’s next
Jagex says the 2027 roadmap stands, including a grandmaster quest, an Agility rework and continued “Road to Restoration” changes. Plugins launch on Monday, October 19, with more details promised that day. For more studio news, see our report on Ubisoft closing RedLynx, browse the October 15 news archive, or, if you are looking for another MMO, read our AION 2 classes guide.
Sources: RuneScape (Jagex), Oct 15; Oct 9; Oct 6; Oct 3; IGN; Insider Gaming.
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Featured image: Jagex
