Website review
This review may include AI-generated content and is not individually verified. Domain, certificate and other facts come from the observed data on this page.
What is Jagex?
Jagex is the British game studio behind RuneScape, one of the longest-running online role-playing games. The company describes itself as building "living, player-shaped worlds" that evolve over decades, and its identity is closely tied to a single franchise rather than a broad portfolio of unrelated titles.
Its current lineup, as presented on its own site, centers on three related games:
- RuneScape — the long-running classic adventure, described as "25 years in the making."
- Old School RuneScape — a version of the game preserved in an older style, pitched as a "player-shaped" MMO where progress is earned through grinding.
- RuneScape: Dragonwilds — a survival-crafting game set on the continent of Ashenfall, where players gather resources and fight dragons together.
Beyond game development, the site highlights two other activities: a careers section recruiting staff for a "creative, collaborative, player-first studio," and an official merchandise store selling apparel and collectibles.
Who it's for. The games suit players who enjoy long-term progression, shared online worlds and communities that shape the game over years. Dragonwilds is the most accessible entry point for someone who prefers survival-crafting to traditional MMO grinding.
A useful next step. If you're deciding where to start, pick based on the time commitment you want: Old School RuneScape for slow, earned progression, RuneScape for the modern version of the same world, or Dragonwilds for a session-based survival experience. Players interested in the studio itself rather than the games can look at the careers and company-history pages at Jagex.
What is the difference between RuneScape and Old School RuneScape?
RuneScape and Old School RuneScape (OSRS) are two separate, actively maintained MMOs from the same studio, Jagex. Both are set in the world of Gielinor and both are free to try, but they differ in era, tone, combat and how much the game has changed since launch.
The short version: RuneScape is the modern, continuously updated game — the page describes it as "the classic adventure reborn," a "charmingly unpredictable adventure, 25 years in the making." Old School RuneScape is a deliberately preserved version of the earlier game — "Gielinor, like it used to be," a "timeless, player-shaped MMO where every grind matters and every achievement is earned."
How they differ in practice
| RuneScape | Old School RuneScape | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting point | The current, evolving game | A restored older-era build |
| Combat | More modern, ability-driven | Simpler, click-and-wait style |
| Pace | Faster progression, more quality-of-life | Slower, grind-heavy |
| Change over time | Frequent large updates | New content added carefully, often voted on by players |
| Best for | Players who want a big modern MMO | Players who want the version they remember, or a slower long-haul game |
Which should you pick?
- Choose RuneScape if you want the current storyline, more streamlined skilling and combat, and don't mind that systems keep shifting under you.
- Choose Old School RuneScape if nostalgia matters, if you like a community that votes on major changes, or if you enjoy a game where a single level can take weeks and that's the point.
A useful next step: pick one, play the free portion for a few hours, and pay attention to whether you enjoy the pace rather than the graphics. Pace is the real dividing line; everything else follows from it. If you're unsure, OSRS is the safer starting point for a returning player, while RuneScape suits someone who has never played either and wants a more conventional modern MMO.
Note that the same studio also publishes RuneScape: Dragonwilds, a survival-crafting game set on the continent of Ashenfall — a different genre entirely, so don't confuse it with either MMO when choosing.
What platforms can I play RuneScape: Dragonwilds on?
RuneScape: Dragonwilds is available on PC and consoles. Jagex's own news feed describes the launch as "RuneScape's First Ever Console Release," which is a notable first for the RuneScape series.
What that means in practice:
- PC: The natural home for a survival-crafting game, and where you get the widest range of control options (keyboard and mouse, plus whatever hardware you already own).
- Consoles: The significant change. A console release opens the game to players who don't maintain a gaming PC, and it signals that Jagex built the game with controller input in mind rather than treating consoles as an afterthought.
The Jagex site itself does not list specific console brands or generations, so check the official store page or platform listings for the exact machines supported before buying. If you plan to play with friends, confirm which platform they're on first — cross-play support is not something the page evidence confirms.
Next step: decide based on where your group already plays. If your friends are on console and you're on PC, verify cross-platform play before committing; if you're solo, PC gives you the most flexibility for controls and future updates.
For the wider RuneScape lineup and studio news, see Jagex.
How can I apply for a job at Jagex?
Apply through the careers section of Jagex's official site: Jagex lists open roles under its "Join the Jagex Team" careers area, and that is the route the company itself points candidates toward. The page describes the studio as "creative, collaborative, player-first," working on RuneScape titles that have been running for more than 25 years — useful context for framing your application around long-lived, community-driven games.
A practical application path
- Go to the careers page on Jagex and browse by discipline (engineering, art, design, community, publishing, support, and similar).
- Pick the role whose requirements match your evidence, not the one with the most appealing title.
- Tailor your CV and cover letter to that specific listing: name the RuneScape product or team you'd be joining, and connect your past work to live-service or player-facing challenges.
- If you have a portfolio (art, design, code, community work), link it prominently; for community or support roles, examples of how you've handled real players are stronger than generic statements.
- Expect a multi-stage process — typically a recruiter screen, then one or more interviews with the hiring team, sometimes with a task or portfolio review. Ask the recruiter about the format early so you can prepare.
Choosing where to focus
| If your background is… | Strongest angle | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Software engineering | Live-service systems, scalability, tooling for long-running games | Legacy codebases can mean slower, more careful change |
| Art or animation | Stylised, long-established art direction across multiple RuneScape titles | Style consistency matters more than personal experimentation |
| Design | Systems, progression, and content that survives years of player scrutiny | Player expectations are entrenched and vocal |
| Community, support, or publishing | Direct player communication and moderation at scale | High-volume, emotionally demanding player contact |
One concrete next step
Before applying, spend an hour playing or watching the specific game the role supports — RuneScape, Old School RuneScape, or RuneScape: Dragonwilds — and note two or three things you'd improve and why. That gives you a specific, credible talking point in the interview and shows you understand the audience the studio is built around.
Where can I buy official RuneScape merchandise?
Buy official RuneScape merchandise from the RuneScape Merch Store, which Jagex describes as the official home of RuneScape merchandise and the largest online range of officially licensed apparel and collectibles. The store is the safest first stop if you want items tied directly to the games rather than third-party designs.
What you can expect
- Apparel such as T-shirts and hoodies.
- Collectibles and standout pieces inspired by RuneScape worlds.
- Officially licensed goods, according to Jagex's own description.
Practical next step
If you are buying for a player, decide first whether you want wearable merch (apparel) or display merch (collectibles). Apparel is easier for everyday gifting; collectibles suit long-time players who already follow specific RuneScape releases. Start with the official store, then compare against general marketplaces only if you need a specific size or an out-of-print item.
What is the history of Jagex and RuneScape?
Jagex is the British studio behind RuneScape, and the two histories are essentially one story: a small browser game that grew into a decades-long, community-shaped world. The company describes itself as building "living, player-shaped worlds" and says it has spent more than 25 years creating RuneScape games designed to last, grounded in integrity, creativity, and respect for players.
The short version
RuneScape began as a free-to-play browser MMORPG in the early 2000s, when being able to run a persistent online world inside a web page was genuinely unusual. That accessibility, plus a steady stream of quests and skills, built a large and unusually loyal player base. Over time the game expanded into a subscription model, added new continents and skills, and underwent a major graphical overhaul that split the audience.
That split is the pivotal moment in the history. In 2013, Jagex released Old School RuneScape, a version rebuilt from a 2007-era backup of the game, after players voted for it. It was meant as a nostalgia offering but became a permanent, independently developed game with its own content, polls and community. Modern RuneScape continued on its own path with updated combat, graphics and storylines.
The most recent chapter is RuneScape: Dragonwilds, a survival-crafting game set on the continent of Ashenfall, where players gather resources, build, and fight dragons together. Jagex describes it as a survival-based adventure, and its arrival on PC and consoles marks RuneScape's first console release.
The three games at a glance
| Game | Style | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| RuneScape | Long-running MMORPG with modern combat and graphics | Players who want the current story, updated systems and a large existing world |
| Old School RuneScape | Slower, grind-heavy MMO with a 2007-era feel and player polling | Players who value earned achievements, nostalgia and community-driven updates |
| RuneScape: Dragonwilds | Survival, crafting and dragon-slaying, solo or co-op | Groups who prefer building and survival over questing and levelling |
What actually shaped the history
- Browser-first design. Running in a web page lowered the barrier to entry and shaped the game's simple, click-based interface.
- Community influence. Jagex has repeatedly framed its worlds as shaped by players, and Old School RuneScape's poll system makes that literal.
- Longevity over novelty. The studio's stated approach is worlds "designed to last," which explains why two versions of the same game coexist rather than one replacing the other.
- Beyond the games. Jagex also runs an official merchandise store with apparel and collectibles, and hires through its careers pages — signs of a studio treating RuneScape as a long-term brand rather than a single title.
How to use this
If you are deciding where to start, pick by appetite rather than chronology: Old School RuneScape if you want the slower, achievement-focused experience, modern RuneScape if you want the current version, and Dragonwilds if you would rather build and survive with friends than quest. For the studio's own account of its culture and timeline, see Jagex.
User reviews (0)