Is RuneScape Dragonwilds free to play

RuneScape fans are eager to jump into Dragonwilds, a new survival spin-off. However, they are left wondering if it would follow a similar free-to-play model to the original MMORPG. Unlike the predecessor, the game takes a very different approach, but does it mean you will have to pay upfront? Let us dive into the details and clear up the confusion about the availability and the pricing of the game.


RuneScape Dragonwilds isn’t free to play. Unlike the classic RuneScape, which offers a free base game with optional membership upgrades, Dragonwilds is a standalone survival game with an upfront cost. It is currently available with Early Access on Steam for $29.99. There is no free trial or a demo of the game.

The price grants the players full access to the early version. It includes future updates during the game’s Early Access phase. So, if you want to explore Ashenfall as you craft, build, and survive the dragon attacks, you will need to make the payment first.

Original RuneScape thrives on the freemium model, offering free base games and paid expansions. But the RuneScape Dragonwilds is a completely different beast. It is the survival-crafting game with co-op play. This means that the development cost and the gameplay structure are different.
Jagez is treating the game as the premium title and not the MMO. It will be a paid survival game with continuous updates. As it is a separate project, charging upfront helps fund the ongoing development rather than being reliant on microtransactions.

Currently, there is no indication that RuneScape Dragonwilds will be free. The developers have confirmed that the price will increase after the early access. This means that the currently available game at $29.99 is the cheapest it would ever be.
Unlike some of the games that transition later on after launch to a free-to-play model, Jagex has not hinted at such possibilities. So, if you are waiting for the free version of the game, there’s a chance you might be waiting forever.

During the early access, all the game updates will be free. However, post-launch, the expansions could be paid DLCs. This means that while the game would not be free, major content drops post-launch might come at an extra cost.
For the players waiting for the free version of the game, know that it is going to be a paid experience, start to finish. So, if you want it, get it during Early Access before the game’s price goes up. It is available now on Steam for $29.99.