RuneScape Mobile members-only beta starts today

If you are not a RuneScape fan, then you probably weren't aware that there are two different versions of RuneScape available on PC. One is called Old School RuneScape, and the more modern version is known merely as RuneScape, though it's sometimes called RuneScape 3. Old School RuneScape is set for release on Android this October 30th, and while the regular version of RuneScape is also coming to Android, an official release date is still unknown. The good news is that if you would like to try it out, a members-only beta has officially started today.

In order to play in this beta, you will need a subscription to the game. A one-month membership will run you .99. As far as I can tell, there is no need to join the beta on a separate web page, but access is only offered on a first come, first served basis. If you can't get into the beta right now, you'll have to wait until Jagex opens more slots.

Currently, a few issues are plaguing this beta release, so the experience is hardly perfect. Freezing can happen, some tutorials can't be completed, and the UI could surely use some more work. This is a beta, after all, so you should definitely expect a few issues here and there. At the very least it is mostly playable, which is a good sign.

If you'd like to stay up to date with anything to do with RuneScape and its impending release on Android, you can keep an eye on RuneScape News for the latest info. Past that, your guess is as good as mine as to when we will see the official release of RuneScape on Android. The current members-only beta inevitably means we are edging closer to an official release, but there's clearly a lot more work to be done before it's ready for the masses. But if you'd like to give it an early look despite a few issues, make sure to hit that install button in the widget below. Oh, and don't forget to purchase the required membership on the official website.

PRESS RELEASE

The biggest ever RuneFest heralds the launch of RuneScape Mobile’s Members Beta.

All the announcements from RuneFest, RuneScape and Old School’s player convention, as the annual event has its biggest attendance ever.

RuneScape Mobile begins its Members Beta on Android today.

New RuneScape event launches and brings the Four Riders of the Apocalypse to Gielinor.

Old School RuneScape to poll the elven city of Prifddinas and a Zeah expansion.

World premiere of ‘RuneScape Live’ performed by The Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra.

Monday 8th October 2018, Cambridge, UK – Access to RuneScape Mobile’s new Members Beta is being made available from today, Jagex has announced. This limited Beta marks the next step in bringing RuneScape to mobile devices, as the development team continues to work closely with the RuneScape community to deliver the optimum player experience over the coming months. Jagex made the announcement at RuneFest, its biggest ever player convention, held this past weekend at Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre.

RuneScape Mobile, which on full release will be available on both iOS and Android devices for free-to-play and subscribing players, features full, cross-platform interoperability with PC platforms, allowing for adventures to continue while on the sofa or on the move. The milestone announcement follows hot on the heels of Old School RuneScape Mobile, which has been enjoying a successful Members Beta over the summer, and is scheduled to launch on mobile devices on 30th October.

Further announcements from RuneFest came thick and fast this weekend:

RuneScape: new World Event launches today, ‘Mining and Smithing’ rework incoming.

The RuneScape team announced that ‘Till Death Do Us Part’, an all-new World Event in RuneScape and the first since 2016, launches today. Taking place throughout October, the event sees the game’s version of the Four Riders of the Apocalypse emerge on Gielinor.

Additionally, the team introduced new quests and fan-voted content that will launch this winter, including the Mining and Smithing rework; the time-looping, investigative adventure ‘Needle Skips’; and the final part of the Elite Dungeons trilogy, a new boss encounter for hardy adventurers that sheds light on the mysterious Ambassador.

Old School RuneScape: The Lost City of the Elves in 2019, and an expansion to Zeah announced.

Headline announcements for Old School RuneScape saw the team confirm key content soon to be polled to players. This includes the elven city of Prifddinas, which launched in RuneScape in 2014. If successfully polled, the city would be reinterpreted and introduced into the nostalgic iteration next year. Entry to the city relies on the completion of a new Grandmaster quest, ‘Song of the Elves’ – which will conclude an Old School RuneScape questline for the first time since the game launched in 2013.

Furthermore, players will be polled on an expansion of the Old School-exclusive continent of Zeah. If successful, the content would see its unexplored lands to the west uncovered and expanded in 2019 with the release of the Kebos Lowlands, and feature a raft of new adventures and activities for players to explore.

World premiere of ‘RuneScape Live’ performed by The Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra

RuneFest began courtesy of the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra and the world premiere of RuneScape Live: Gielinor in Harmony, a musical extravaganza that took the audience on an orchestral and story-driven journey through the world of Gielinor. Featuring a brand-new storyline written by RuneScape’s narrative team, which saw a RuneScape and an Old School RuneScape player complete a quest in each other’s game world, Gielinor in Harmony set the tone for the revelries to continue.

RuneFest itself presented thousands of players with an immersive festival experience set in Rellekka, the Viking-inspired northern lands of RuneScape. In addition to keynote reveals and announcements, players completed activities based on the game’s Fremmenik Trials, attended behind-the-scenes talks hosted by developers, and went hands-on with both RuneScape and Old School Mobile.

Phil Mansell, CEO, Jagex said:

“RuneFest is at the heart of our living games philosophy, and it has played an enormous part in growing our RuneScape games to become a $1billon success story. It brings the games, our players, and the Jagex team together to share an incredible experience that exists outside of the game. This was the biggest and best RuneFest ever, and reflects the continuing strong growth in the communities playing our games. RuneScape Live was also incredible, and I thank our team and the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra for an unforgettable night.

“We had a great time revealing our plans for RuneScape and Old School RuneScape over the coming months, and it was brilliant to see the reaction from our players both at RuneFest as well as on the live stream. We’re just three weeks away from bringing Old School RuneScape to mobile devices, which has already been incredibly well received by players. The announcement that RuneScape Mobile is also beginning its limited Members Beta from today, and will open to more members over the coming weeks and months, means that both our communities will soon enjoy their adventures through Gielinor while on the move.

“Every year, RuneFest delivers a fantastic celebration of the games and our community, but it’s also a great opportunity for us to look ahead to what’s to come. Thank you to everybody who travelled to RuneFest’s new home at Farnborough, and we’re looking forward to returning next autumn.”

- Ends -

Notes for Editors

More information about the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra can be found at www.rpo.co.uk/about/rpco

About Jagex

A leader in creating deep and engaging live games, Jagex’s flagship MMORPG, RuneScape, has welcomed over 250 million player accounts to its world. Today the RuneScape franchise exists beyond running games in live operations; our titles are living games that connect and inspire millions of players, with content and experiences both inside and outside of inexhaustible game worlds. Both RuneScape and Old School RuneScape, on PC and coming to mobile, offer ever-evolving, highly-active worlds and our community-focussed development ethos empowers players to have a real say in how each game is shaped. Now we’re expanding and extending our portfolio with fresh franchise titles and new IP to bring life to the living games of the future. Jagex employs over 320 people at its Cambridge headquarters. In 2016 Jagex became part of Fukong Interactive Entertainment, a global games group publicly listed in China. Career information can be found at www.jagex.com

About RuneScape

Step into a medieval fantasy world that’s packed with epic adventures, fascinating characters and a passionate community that helps to mould the game itself. Unashamedly British in humour, RuneScape embraces an unconventional world where you’re free to play and explore the way you want to. An MMO unlike any other – become the hero you were born to be at www.runescape.com.

About Old School RuneScape

Launched in 2013, Old School RuneScape is the industry-leading collaboration between players and developers. Embracing its nostalgic heritage, hundreds of thousands of active players control the direction of the game with an in-game polling system. Featuring adventures for solo play through to 100-player strong raids, Old School RuneScape caters for every brave adventurer. Since 2016, Old School RuneScape has established itself as a competitive game with the seasonal free-for-all Deadman Invitationals, where winners receive cash prizes and membership. Play now at http://oldschool.runescape.com.