RuneFest 2025 Summit Summary
For the first time in half a decade, here's a breakdown of this year's RuneFest reveals!
Varlamore: The Final Dawn - Overview
Official Client: Plugin API & HD Update
Behind the Scenes of Sailing: Volume 3 - Sailng Alpha
As we zoom towards The Final Dawn, we thought you were all due a refresher on everything we’ve discussed so far.
Before we ‘delve’ into it, we have an announcement about the release date. When we first announced The Final Dawn back in September, we predicted an early spring launch. Since then, we’ve been hard at work fleshing out each new core activity and breathing life into the new areas you’ll explore – and we’ve discovered that to truly do this update justice, we’ll need a little more time. This means we’ll be releasing Varlamore: The Final Dawn in July of this year.
But for now, we have some new info to share, including this fantastic trailer from RuneFest, which gives you your first glance at our new Delve boss: the Doom of Mokhaiotl.
If you can’t see the video above, click here.
And that's only a taste! For a full look at everything coming with Varlamore: The Final Dawn, check out the dedicated RuneFest Summit blog here!
There's nothing in the world quite like the dedication of an Old School RuneScape player, and since launching OSRS Mobile, you've really proven your determination to keep on the grind. From a cruise ship in Alaska surrounded by glaciers, to getting 99 Prayer at the top of the Big Buddha in Thailand, clearly you're not ones for XP waste. We've also seen Old School accompany you to hockey games, the dentist and even snuck into school assemblies.
These stories remind us why we're aiming high with our plans for the Official Client. We're dedicated to delivering a client experience that's seamless, beautiful and at the forefront of gameplay innovation. With the Official Client, we want you to be able to play Old School RuneScape like never before.
We have three core missions when it comes to developing the Official Client:
- To launch our own plugin ecosystem – a platform that empowers creativity and drives innovation. We want to give you the tools to redefine how you experience the game, wherever you play it!
- Beautiful graphics – but only if we can guarantee buttery-smooth performance as well. Every detail is being fine-tuned to bring you an experience that’s not just immersive, but familiar and to your preference, no matter the device.
- Seamless cross-play. Whether you’re on PC, Steam, or Mobile , we want OSRS optimised for your device of choice. No barriers, no limits – just play.
To learn more about the progress we've made on achieving these missions, check out the full blog here!
We're planning to launch the Sailing Alpha later this month! Read all about it or check out this hype trailer!
If you can't see the video above, click here instead!
Fresh off the RuneFest presses, we can now announce that the Sailing Alpha will launch later this month!
The Sailing Alpha is a massive, open playtest packed with exciting high-seas adventure. It's a huge milestone for the Old School team, who have been diligently working towards our first new skill ever since you voted on it.
If you’re lucky enough to be at RuneFest, you can swing by the LAN area and give Sailing a try right now – we’re confident that you’ll love what we’ve made so far, although we’re afraid you’ll have to bring your own parrot, eyepatch, etc.
We couldn’t pass up the chance to watch some of you experience Sailing live and in person, so all RuneFest attendees also get exclusive early access to the Sailing Alpha before its official launch later this month.
We hope those of you at home aren’t feeling too much FOMO – at the very least, you can rest assured knowing that the Sailing Alpha is just around the corner. Plus, this event will help us to identify immediate improvements before it goes live and make sure it's ship-shape when you try it out.
Some of you may still have questions or concerns about Sailing, and that’s exactly why the Sailing Alpha matters. It’s your chance to get hands-on and experience the skill for yourself. You already know how Sailing looks in blogs or videos, but we want to know how it feels when you're playing it.
We also want to be clear that the Alpha is NOT the final product for Sailing. While there’ll be plenty of features to enjoy, this skill is very much still in development. Features may still be tweaked or completely overhauled, depending on your feedback. We’d appreciate if you’d keep this in mind while you’re playing the Alpha and sending us your feedback.
The Alpha is expected to take approximately 75 minutes to complete, and it will be open for one week. Let's look at exactly what you can expect to try in the Sailing Alpha when it goes live later this month!
For more information on all things sailing, check out the full blog here!
This section's a little smaller than the others, so there's no dedicated blog - all of the info you need for now is right here!
We're back with another round of tweaks and rebalances, and if the first Project Rebalance showed us anything, it's that small changes can have a big impact! These rebalances are designed to keep the game fresh and exciting, without requiring a massive overhaul.
Before we dive in, let's talk about what you can expect. While this update follows in the footsteps of our 2024 Project Rebalance, it won't be quite as expansive. Unlike last year's changes, this round is more about refining what's already there, polishing mechanics, and setting up opportunities for future updates.
These kinds of tweaks take time to get right, and we want to make sure we give ourselves enough runway to properly design and develop them. The goal? Improvements that make the game better while also setting the stage for some long-term growth!
We'll give you a sneak peek at a handful that we mentioned at RuneFest but we'll make the full picture clearer later in the year, so remember that this list is nowhere close to exhaustive.
Combat Adjustments
First up - combat! Elemental weaknesses have been a hit, and we’ve been keeping a close eye on when and where players have been enjoying them the most. Based on that, we’re expanding the system with a bunch of new weaknesses and monster interactions.
Halberds have also been a hot topic, and we’re giving them even more reach. Soon, you’ll be able to use them against Zulrah and even those annoying Aviansies. More flexibility, more fun!
Loot Table Changes
We've been taking a close look at loot tables, and some drop rates just don’t add up. Wyrms dropping 6 million Blood Runes in a week? Vyrewatch sentinels contributing 9 million? Seems fine... but Nomad dishing out 33 million? Yeah, that’s a bit much! We want to avoid low-effort activities flooding the game with resources, as that would devalue them and negatively impact other sources. Balancing is key, and we’ll be making adjustments to keep things fair and rewarding.
To smooth things out, we’ll be altering some loot tables - scaling back sources that are overproducing specific resources while giving a boost to NPCs with lackluster loot. In some cases, a small thematic drop could go a long way in making encounters more rewarding. These changes should help keep the economy balanced while ensuring loot remains meaningful across all content tiers.
Slayer Improvements
We've also got a bunch of changes we'd like to make for Slayer, including:
- Reworking the Block List system to give you more flexibility.
- Making sure tanky monsters reward the effort needed to take them down.
- Merging some monsters into broader categories for better assignments.
- Taking a fresh look at Inferno tasks.
- Modifying the Abyssal Sire encounter.
- Adjusting Perk prices so they feel more in line with their benefits.
Looking to the Future
Old School isn’t just about the big, flashy updates. The game has been going strong for over a decade, and we want to keep it thriving for many more. That’s why we’re committed to updates like this - small but impactful changes that keep the game healthy.
These adjustments won’t just make Old School better today; they’ll also create room for future updates. We want every new addition to rest on a solid foundation, ensuring that our game stays as engaging and enjoyable as ever.
Like we mentioned above, we've got loads more to go over and talk through with you later in the year, so hold tight for now and we'll see you soon for a Summer Sweep-Up. Make sure to pack your sunscreen!
We’re thrilled to announce the next stages of Project Zanaris!
Project Zanaris is GO, and behind the scenes our team has been hard at work implementing the core experience. We’ve still got some work to do, but we’re not too far off inviting you to join us on this exciting journey – including in upcoming playtests!
If you’d like to take part in said playtests, then register your interest with the link below.
If you can’t see the image above, click here.
For now, let's take a look at what we showcased during RuneFest 2025!
For more info on Project Zanaris, check out the full blog here!
Deep beneath Kourend resides an entity more powerful than you could comprehend. A ferocious, fiery demon resembling a minotaur whose guile and charm have allowed him to wrest control over other demons, amass hordes of disciples who will sacrifice other humans to honour him, and influence even the politics of Kourend.
It's time to venture down into the depths of the Chasm of Fire and put an end to this demonic charm offensive. It's time to take on Yama himself.
As you might have gathered from our opening exposition, Yama is not for the faint of heart. Daring to challenge a demon this powerful is a task for only the fiercest among you, meaning this brand new boss encounter is something we're targeting for endgame players.
Of course, it gets lonely at the top, so not only will we be balancing Yama with endgame players in mind, we'll be expecting you to bring a friend! Loads of our most talented gamers are looking for content that lets them group up with a pal, so what better replacement for an ornate Theatre than an inhospitable and outright hostile cavern full of fire and demons?! You'll still be able to take him down alone if you'd really like to, but don't expect him to go easy on you - down in these depths, Yama makes the rules.
Question #1: Should we add Yama, a new duo-focused endgame boss, to Old School? Rewards will be locked in via poll at a later date.
For more information about Old School's first endgame duo boss, including a first look at some exciting new rewards, click here for the full blog!
Long ago, before the vampyres were united as one, they lived in disparate clans in their ancestral home of Vampyrium. For the Drakan clan, strength ruled above all else. Clan leaders were selected during a brutal festival of combat known as the Night of the Blood Moon. Along with leadership of the clan, the victor of this festival was granted a title: they became known as the Blood Moon.
If you can't see the video above, click here!
Now, thousands of years later, Lord Lowerniel Drakan, the last Blood Moon has returned. He has but one goal: to return his people to the old ways and reclaim his former title, even if he has to sacrifice every life in Morytania to do it.
For Drakan, this is the endgame. Failure is not an option and he does not intend to let anyone stand in his way. No matter what, the Blood Moon will rise once more.
The Myreque storyline has been one of the most beloved narratives in OSRS, captivating players with its dark themes, gripping twists, and unforgettable characters. Since its beginning, we’ve followed the Myreque’s desperate fight against the vampyres of Morytania, from their underground resistance in In Search of the Myreque to the climactic confrontation in Sins of the Father.
Now, after years of anticipation, we are thrilled to present The Blood Moon Rises, a Grandmaster quest that will serve as the end to this legendary tale.
This quest will take players to a new realm - the land of Vampyrium - where they will come face-to-face with Lord Lowerniel Drakan in a battle that will decide the fate of Morytania. Expect high-stakes storytelling, complex puzzles, and some of the most challenging combat encounters yet seen in a quest. Do you have what it takes to end the vampyre dominion once and for all?
Requirements
We're still in the early stages of development, so we don’t have a full list of requirements just yet. What we can confirm is that you’ll need to have completed Sins of the Father and A Night at the Theatre. For skills, we’re looking at multiple requirements of level 70+ and would recommend a combat level of at least 110+.
Question #2: Should The Blood Moon Rises, a Grandmaster quest acting as the finale to the Myreque Saga, be added to the game?
Vampyrium: A New Frontier
The land of Vampyrium is a hostile and eerie environment that has remained unseen by mortals - until now! The realm where Vampyres were first born is dominated by jagged mountains, crimson rivers, and looming castles.
After completing the quest, players will be able to return to Vampyrium. We’re not looking at a massive expansion like Varlamore - think something slightly larger than the Stranglewood from Desert Treasure II. We'll have more details later this year about what you might find in this inhospitable realm, but for now, we can confirm that we're planning one major piece of content and several smaller ones, covering both skilling and PvM.
Question #3: If The Blood Moon Rises is added to the game, should we allow you to return to the land of Vampyrium after the quest?
A Dark Tale Comes to a Close
While the conclusion of the Myreque saga will bring about many changes, Morytania will remain the ominous and dangerous land it always has been. Victory may come at a cost, but for the first time, the people of Morytania will have a future!
The Blood Moon is rising. Are you ready to face it?
Stay tuned for more development updates as we prepare to bring The Blood Moon Rises to life.
You can also discuss this update on the 2007Scape subreddit, the Steam forums, or the community-led OSRS Discord in the #gameupdate channel. For more info on the above content, check out the official Old School Wiki.
Mods Abe, Abyss, Arcane, Archie, Argo, Ash, Ayiza, BigRig, Blossom, Boko, Bruno, Chilly, Criminal, Crystal, Curse, Daizong, Dylan, Ed, Elena, Enigma, Entropi, Errol, Gecko, Gengis, Gizmo, Goblin, Grub, Halo, Harold, Hend, Hornet, Husky, Jalo, Jerv, Keyser, Kieren, Kirby, Kurotou, Leebleh, Lenny, Light, Liron, Lykos, Mack, Manked, Markos, Maylea, Moogle, Morty, Necro, Nin, Nox, Nylu, Ori, Other, Philomel, Pumpkin, Rach, Redfield, Rice, Roq, Ry, Saiyan, Sarnie, Shogun, Shroom, Sigma, Skylark, Smithy, Sova, Squid, Starry, Suharun, Surma, Sween, Tide, Titus, TJ, Tsourorf, Tyran, Veda, Vegard, West, Wolfy & Yume
The Old School Team.
