RuneScape Opens Up the Eastern Lands

From Jagex:
The power RuneScape gives its players to decide on key content that will shape its future has resulted in the creation of an entirely new continent – the Eastern Lands. Forming a vast archipelago of exotic islands sprawling across undiscovered seas, gamers can see the treasures of the Eastern Lands in the Gamescom-premiered trailer, now showing below.

In this new land and seascape, players set sail on uncharted seas, where millions of procedurally-generated isles expand the Polynesian-inspired archipelago. Adventurous players can lay claim to an isle and make it their own – as long as the treacherous seas don’t claim their lives first.

The addition of the Eastern Lands was a key player-driven content decision; voted on by over 100,000 RuneScape players. Every year, RuneScape players are given the power to decide which content concepts are taken forward and realized in-game. The decisions made by the player collective can see characters die and geography reshaped as player-driven consequences alter RuneScape’s future.


“RuneScape’s world of adventures never stands still and, 15 years on, RuneScape continues to deliver cutting-edge content thanks to our awesome community who we empower to decide on key new content to bring to the game,” explained Dave Osborne, lead designer, RuneScape.

“This year, our players have driven our biggest content update, the first steps towards an entirely new continent – the Polynesian-inspired Eastern Lands. Its release marks a new chapter in RuneScape’s epic story, and we couldn’t have got here without their support, feedback and passion.”

The islands of Whale’s Maw, Waiko and Aminishi, the first islands on the western edge of the new continent, are now discoverable. On these islands, the indigenous people have never heard of the player’s adventures, so gamers will have to start afresh, building back up their wealth and notoriety –even long-term players will be on a level playing field with newcomers! More and more islands along the Eastern Lands archipelago will be discovered as the continent continues to expand.