Jagex has set the date for its RuneScape 3 update and it’s making its way to players on Monday, July 22nd. The update will transition RuneScape to Jagex’s proprietary HTML 5 engine and enable new content such as community-focused world events, new mechanics that will allow players to influence the future of Gielinor through their decisions, weekly and monthly competition leaderboards, new audio and interface systems, and more.

A FAQ for the update is available along with additional update details on the RuneScape website. Check out the video below for a word from the devs and a peek at the RuneScape 3 gameplay.

RUNESCAPE 3 LAUNCH DATE REVEALED

JAGEX CONFIRMS LATE-JULY LAUNCH FOR THE MOST SIGNIFICANT UPDATE IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD’S MOST POPULAR FREE-TO-PLAY MMO

Wednesday 3RD July 2013, Cambridge, UK - Jagex, the creators of the hugely popular Guinness World Record holding free-to-play adventure game, RuneScape, is excited to announce that the highly anticipated launch of RuneScape 3 will take place on 22 July.

The biggest upgrade in the game’s acclaimed 12 year history, RuneScape 3 brings next generation browser technology, new gameplay features and heralds in ground-breaking player-driven content.

RuneScape 3 will mark the massively multiplayer online game’s transition to the cutting-edge browser technology of HTML 5, enabling any player to embark on the world’s biggest adventure without the requirement for Java nor any other plugins. The use of the proprietary HTML 5 engine allows for significant enhancements to the player experience such as improved graphics, longer draw distances, an upgraded camera system and superior audio. The addition of seasonal high scores will allow all players in the community to compete on weekly and monthly leader boards.

The launch of RuneScape 3 will also see player decisions directly shaping the future of Gielinor, its inhabitants and scenery for the very first time. It will also mark the beginning of RuneScape’s inaugural community-focused world event, The Battle of Lumbridge. In addition to the technological leap RuneScape 3 sees the world of Gielinor enter the 6th Age, a significant new milestone in RuneScape’s vast heritage, as the gods of RuneScape return to re-exert their authority.

“We received  fantastic praise  from our passionate RuneScape community when we first revealed the development of RuneScape 3, so we’re thrilled to be able to confirm the 22 July launch date for the most significant update in the game’s history,” said Phil Mansell, Executive Producer of RuneScape 3. “Our pioneering use of HTML 5 technology continues to place us at the forefront of browser-based gaming innovation, and will result in a truly amazing gaming experience for players.”

“RuneScape continues to go from strength to strength, and with the launch of RuneScape 3 this year we will no doubt continue on that upward trajectory,” stated Mark Gerhard, CEO of Jagex. “We have a solid line up of the most ambitious innovative content and ground breaking technical innovations ever, all of which will be coming to fruition over the course of the next few months, it’s going to be an incredibly exciting time for the community both past and present.

- Ends -

About RuneScape

RuneScape is the world’s most popular free-to-play online adventure game (as consistently recognised by Guinness World Records) from award-winning independent British development studio Jagex.

Set in a vivid detailed medieval fantasy world, RuneScape’s universe and narrative proudly draws its inspiration from classic role-playing adventure games, delivering an innovative and original experience for millions of players worldwide every day. RuneScape is totally free-to-play, with a popular membership expansion offering even greater scale, variety and ambition, running directly within almost any computer’s browser.

Players are not limited by character classes like most games instead the skills they choose to train define who they become and with its truly open-world gameplay there are no limits to the type of hero players can evolve. Quests are accessible to all as is player-versus-player combat for the brave or daring.

RuneScape’s quintessential British witty tone, finely balanced gameplay, epic questing and completely open non-linear world combine to create a game that has earned its rightful place as the most popular free-to-play online adventure game of all time and continues to push the boundaries as the World’s Greatest Adventure.

About Jagex

Jagex is a multi-award winning games developer based in Cambridge, England. Jagex specialises in the development of high quality browser-based games and is the largest independent games developer and publisher in the UK.

Jagex has a long-standing reputation for creating the world's best online games and for developing hugely popular, high quality, accessible, free-to-play games and for providing an unbeatable community experience for millions of players around the world. Jagex has developed and self-published over 40 online titles, including the world's most popular free multiplayer online game, RuneScape.com.