RuneScape’s first major update of 2020 reveals secrets of the past and begins an epic new storyline that sets up a dramatic year ahead.
Jagex, creators and custodians of the iconic living game RuneScape, today introduces Archaeology. This powerful new skill offers a major addition for the game, introducing intricate gameplay and beginning an epic new storyline that is steeped deep in lore. Players will journey on an adventure across five massive new locations to unearth mysteries that will reveal secrets from Gielinor’s rich history. The launch of this new skill also teases the highly anticipated Elder God Wars Dungeon, which will see the titans that created the world rise up again, coming later this year.
Archaeology is the 28th skill to come to RuneScape, and the most powerful in the game’s 19-year history. Skills are a key feature in RuneScape and bring a whole new way to level your avatar. The skill is available up to level 20 for free-to-play players, giving them plenty of chance to explore the first dig site. It sees players excavate and restore artefacts using their gathering talents, while the discovery of ancient relics will unlock powerful game-wide perks. As players explore the expansive dig sites they’ll also uncover ancient training methods for new powers – Ancient Summoning and Ancient Invention.
Kharid-Et, the first dig site players will encounter, lies beneath the sand near the city of Al Kharid. Built by the followers of the powerful god Zaros, this fortress was thought to be lost during the God Wars, but hidden within its depths are lost weapons and ancient magics.
Further locations include:
- Everlight: Uncover items and try to extinguish the lighthouse at the heart of this former Icyene settlement.
- The Infernal Source: Located underneath the Wilderness Volcano, players will learn about Zamorak’s connection with demons, and the origins of demons in Gielinor.
- Stormguard Citadel: A former Armadylean fortress and laboratory with a connection to the Temple of Ikov.
- Warforge!: An abandoned Bandosian military installation for goblins in Feldip Hills.
Archaeology arrives with a level cap of 120 for RuneScape members. There will be a six-month grace period where players won’t be able to use bonus experience, experience lamps of other boosts to train this skill – the race is on to be the first to grab the highly desirable Completion Capes!
An elite skilling outfit for Archaeology is also available which grants players exciting perks such as increased excavation success rate, unlimited teleports to dig site camps and more. There’s also the adorable new skilling pet, Archie the child mummy!
Archaeology is far more than simply a skill, offering new materials, new buffs, stupendous rewards and epic locations. Far greater mysteries await discovery and through mastering Archaeology, players will gain powers that will provide significant advantages in the upcoming The Elder God War Dungeon, releasing later this year.
Ryan Ward, Executive Producer, RuneScape:
“Archaeology is the most powerful and ambitious skill to come to RuneScape. It has been 18 months in development and become a labour of love for the team. The reaction to our announcement at RuneFest last year has been wonderfully affirming and we’re all so excited to see players uncover the secrets of the forgotten past and gain the power they’ll need to take the fight to the Elder Gods later in 2020.”
The Archaeology update is the latest in several RuneScape releases set to uncover Gielinor’s ancient past. Starting from last year’s A Land Out of Time, Archaeology is the next step toward revealing some troubling developments.
About RuneScape
More than 19 years in the making and acclaimed by PC Gamer as “one of the most endearing and unique MMOs available”, RuneScape is an ever-expanding, living game that’s bursting with activity and life. Set in a medieval fantasy land, begin by creating a character and then embark on epic journeys through a vast sandbox world that’s full of gods, warring races, unexplored dungeons, and glittering riches. Propelled by the game’s narrative, choose your own path through enthralling quests, and progress through 27 diverse skills to shape a single character in a classless world. RuneScape Mobile Early Access is now available for RuneScape members on Android, featuring cross-platform play between mobile and desktop editions, enabling players to seamlessly jump between devices and take their adventure anywhere. In RuneScape, you get to be the hero you always wanted to be and, with new content added almost every week, there’s always a new and adventurous experience to look forward to. Become the hero you were born to be at www.runescape.com.
About Jagex
A leader in creating deep and engaging experiences on PC and mobile, Jagex was founded in 2001 and is today one of the UK’s biggest and most respected video game developers and publishers. Famed for its flagship MMOs RuneScape and Old School RuneScape, Jagex has welcomed more than 270million player accounts to its world and created a $1bn lifetime franchise revenue. Today the RuneScape franchise exists beyond running games in live operations; our titles are living games that connect and inspire millions of players, with content and experiences both inside and outside of inexhaustible game worlds. Both RuneScape and Old School RuneScape, on PC and mobile, offer ever-evolving, highly active worlds and our community-focussed development ethos empowers players to have a real say in how each game is shaped. Jagex is expanding and extending its portfolio with fresh franchise titles, new IP and, in 2018 launched Jagex Partners, delivering third-party publishing and operational services exclusively for the living games of the future. Jagex employs more than 360 people at its Cambridge headquarters and is on the hunt for talented people to work across the business to help the company to achieve yet another year of record growth and player satisfaction. For more information visit, www.jagex.com.