The sprawling fantasy world of Gielinor is officially making the leap from computer screens to television and streaming formats. Lyrical Animation is currently developing a brand-new animated series based on the legendary massively multiplayer online role-playing game franchise "RuneScape," joining forces with prominent online creator Charlie "MoistCr1TiKaL" White and game developer Jagex.
The major multimedia announcement was delivered live on stage by Jagex CEO Jon Bellamy to an enthusiastic crowd of passionate fans during the annual RuneFest convention held in Birmingham, United Kingdom, on Saturday. The ambitious adaptation aims to translate the beloved lore, iconic locations, and distinctive atmosphere of the twenty-five-year-old gaming franchise into a narrative-driven animated medium.
For the creators and executives involved, the project represents a monumental step forward in Jagex’s long-term corporate ambition to expand the "RuneScape" intellectual property far beyond the traditional boundaries of the gaming ecosystem. While the franchise has spent over two decades anchoring itself firmly in the PC and mobile gaming landscapes, this forthcoming television or streaming venture signals a new era of mainstream multimedia exploration for Gielinor and its inhabitants.
Addressing the audience at RuneFest, Bellamy emphasized the deep emotional connection that millions of players have forged with the game over the past quarter of a century. He noted that the ongoing endurance of the property is a direct result of the community’s active participation in shaping its history.
"For 25 years, our players have helped shape ‘RuneScape’s’ extraordinary world, its characters and its stories," Bellamy said on stage, highlighting the collaborative spirit that has defined the MMORPG since its inception. "When we talk about the future of ‘RuneScape,’ we don’t just mean games. We see huge potential to bring Gielinor to life in new ways, both for the millions who already know and love it and for a whole new audience. It’s early days, but we’re excited to explore that potential with Charlie and the team at Lyrical Animation, and we wanted our players to be the first to know."
Originally released by Jagex back in 2001, "RuneScape" has steadily evolved over the decades into one of the most enduring, influential, and commercially successful fantasy multiplayer online role-playing games in internet history. Across generations of players, the franchise has offered an open-ended, sandbox-style virtual experience where participants can freely forge their own unique paths through the expansive medieval fantasy world of Gielinor.
Whether engaging in complex questlines, battling formidable monsters, mastering varied skill sets through dedicated grinding, or embarking on cooperative adventures with friends and clanmates, players have continually found reasons to return to the digital realm. Over the years, the core brand has expanded to encompass multiple distinct iterations to cater to different player preferences, most notably featuring the modern iteration simply known as "RuneScape," the nostalgic time-capsule phenomenon "Old School RuneScape," and newer expansions such as "RuneScape Dragonwilds," cementing its status as a multi-generational gaming titan.
A vital driving force behind the new animated adaptation is the involvement of Charlie White, widely known across the internet by his online moniker "MoistCr1TiKaL." White brings a wealth of authentic community credibility to the production table, having spent more than two decades immersed in the culture of the game. With a massive digital footprint encompassing more than 25 million followers across his various channels, streaming platforms, and social media networks, White is not merely an external celebrity partner, but a lifelong devotee of the source material.
Reflecting on his personal history with the franchise and his surreal journey from a dedicated player to an official executive producer on an adaptation, White expressed profound enthusiasm for the upcoming venture.
"I’ve been playing RuneScape for 22 years, and it’s one of my favorite IPs ever," White shared, underscoring the deep personal stakes he holds in ensuring the project honors the legacy of the game. "I’m so excited to be working with the team on this project."
The adaptation will also lean heavily on the specific comedic and dramatic sensibilities that have made the source material so memorable to its player base. Daniel Dominguez, the creative director of Lyrical Animation, pointed out that the franchise has always possessed a very specific literary and tonal voice—one that effortlessly balances absurd, laugh-out-loud internet humor with surprisingly insightful narrative beats and world-building.
"RuneScape has such a unique storytelling voice, at once laugh-out-loud funny and effortlessly insightful," Dominguez remarked, discussing the creative challenges and opportunities inherent in translating an MMORPG into a structured animated narrative. "To be allowed to help bring that to life for its millions of fans alongside our dear friend Charlie again is a dream come true."
Under the current production structure, Lyrical Animation will spearhead the creation of the series, working in direct collaboration with White’s production banner, Meatier Productions, alongside Jagex itself to maintain strict adherence to the lore and spirit of Gielinor.
Because the project is still in the very earliest stages of its development pipeline, specific details regarding the narrative focus, the exact format and episode count, visual art styles, casting, and targeted streaming or broadcast platforms have not yet been finalized or publicly disclosed. However, representatives from Lyrical Animation and Jagex have indicated that they expect to share further announcements, concept art, and developmental updates with the public and the gaming community sometime in 2027.
