Jagex announces RuneScape animated series with Charlie White and Lyrical Animation
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Jagex has announced an animated series set in RuneScape’s fantasy world of Gielinor, extending the franchise beyond its games. The project was unveiled at RuneFest and is being made with Charlie White, known online as MoistCr1TiKaL, and Lyrical Animation.
Few details have been confirmed, including the story, release date and the extent of White’s role. Jagex described the series as a passion project; White is a maxed-out RuneScape player. Lyrical Animation is also working on adaptations of Bloodborne and Death Stranding, while White is involved in an animated adaptation of his Godslap graphic novel.
- RuneScape is getting an animated series.
- MoistCr1TiKaL is partnering with Jagex.
- The story and release date have not been announced.
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RuneScape is an online fantasy game developed by British studio Jagex that has been played by millions of people for over two decades. Players explore a medieval fantasy world called Gielinor through quests and challenges in one of the most popular and longest-running games of its kind.
Video game companies increasingly adapt their popular titles into television series and films to reach audiences beyond dedicated gamers. An animated or live-action adaptation can introduce a game's world and stories to viewers who have never played the game, potentially expanding the franchise's reach to new audiences.
Charlie White, known online as MoistCr1TiKaL, is a content creator with millions of followers who regularly plays games and provides commentary for his audience. Lyrical Animation is an established animation production studio, and both are central to Jagex's strategy of bringing RuneScape to television audiences.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Video game franchises with established worlds and passionate fan bases can successfully expand into animation, as demonstrated by series like Arcane. RuneScape's complex lore and rich visual design translate naturally to animated media, and partnering with a respected content creator known for genuine engagement with the game adds authentic credibility whilst building on his existing connection to the player base. This diversification strategy positions RuneScape to reach audiences beyond gaming and reinforces the company's long-term commitment to its intellectual property.
The case against
Video game adaptations historically struggle to achieve both critical acclaim and mainstream success, raising legitimate questions about resource allocation. An animated series risks diverting creative and financial attention from RuneScape 4's development—the product that matters most to the existing player base. Additionally, building an entertainment property substantially around a content creator's personal brand is largely untested territory and may constrain the show's ability to tell independent, compelling stories that appeal beyond that creator's established audience.
Full account
Game developer Jagex has announced an animated television series based on RuneScape, its long-running fantasy role-playing game. The project was unveiled at the company's annual RuneFest gathering in Birmingham on Saturday, representing a strategic expansion of the franchise beyond its gaming origins. The series will be produced by animation studio Lyrical Animation in partnership with content creator Charlie 'MoistCr1TiKaL' White and his production company Meatier Productions. The announcement signals Jagex's ambition to develop its intellectual property across diverse media formats whilst simultaneously introducing the fictional world of Gielinor to audiences unfamiliar with the games.
RuneScape has commanded a substantial player base since its 2001 launch, establishing itself as one of gaming's enduring massively multiplayer online titles. Players navigate the medieval fantasy realm through quests, combat encounters and cooperative missions across multiple game iterations. White brings considerable prominence to the collaboration, having amassed over 25 million followers across digital platforms and maintained an active relationship with RuneScape for more than two decades. His status as a dedicated player and prominent community figure positioned him as a suitable partner for translating the game's world to screen.
Lyrical Animation, operating under parent company Lyrical Media, contributes substantial credentials in game adaptation, having developed animated projects for major franchises including Bloodborne and Death Stranding alongside original productions. Daniel Dominguez, the studio's creative director, will oversee the series and has highlighted RuneScape's distinctive narrative qualities as a compelling foundation for adaptation. White's involvement extends beyond gaming; he has previously participated in major film productions, contributed voice acting to animated media and games, and maintains ongoing involvement with entertainment ventures including an animated adaptation of his own graphic novel series.
Development remains at an early stage, with Jagex indicating that comprehensive project details will emerge during 2027. Stakeholders have characterised the undertaking as a shared passion project reflecting genuine enthusiasm for the RuneScape universe. The animation series initiative coincides with broader franchise expansion efforts, including the ongoing development of RuneScape 4 and the existing portfolio of multiple game iterations within the RuneScape ecosystem.
Where outlets differ
Source 1 emphasises direct statements from company leadership and creative figures; Source 2 prioritises contextual background and Lyrical Animation's existing filmography
Source 2 mentions RuneScape 4 development, which Source 1 does not reference
Source 2 details White's prior entertainment industry experience; Source 1 omits this biographical information
Source 2 explicitly characterises the project as a 'passion project' through official communications; Source 1 does not employ this framing
Source 1 provides dated announcement details specific to RuneFest; Source 2 offers broader context about Lyrical Media's production portfolio and capabilities
Coverage
- Variety — RuneScape animated series enters early development with Jagex and Charlie White
- Polygon — A RuneScape Animated Show Is Coming With a World-Famous Content Creator Attached
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