RuneScape Crosses $3 Billion in Lifetime Revenue

RuneScape, an open-world MMORPG, has surpassed $3 billion USD in lifetime revenue as Jagex, the Cambridge-based developer behind the franchise, marks 25 years since the franchise’s origins. The figure includes revenue from RuneScape and Old School RuneScape, and was confirmed by the UK game industry trade body, UK Interactive Entertainment.

The milestone comes as Jagex celebrates the anniversary with RS25. A program of livestreams, in-game updates, and announcements covering RuneScape, Old School RuneScape, and RuneScape Dragonwilds, are scheduled throughout January 2026. The Cambridge-based studio now employs more than 600 people, reflecting the long-term scale of a series that began in 2001 as a Java-based browser game.

Jagex CEO, Jon Bellamy, stated the achievement reflects the franchise’s player base, adding that the community is “the largest and most active RuneScape community in our history,” and that the milestone belongs to players as much as the studio.

RuneScape Revenue Growth Underscores Long-Term Strategy

RS25 is positioned as a forward-looking initiative, with planned investment in player support, modernized infrastructure, refreshed systems, and major new content updates. Jagex has also outlined a year-long slate of live RuneScape events across the US and UK, framing the anniversary as a foundation for the franchise’s next phase rather than a retrospective.

In June 2025, Jagex laid off an undisclosed number of staff in non-game development roles as part of operational restructuring. That same month, the company faced criticism over scaling back Pride Month content, a decision Bellamy later said was made to avoid backlash and protect the game’s future.

Creative Industries Minister Ian Murray recognized the milestone, citing RuneScape as an example of globally competitive intellectual property (IP) built and sustained in the UK.