Lyrical Animation is developing a brand-new animated television and streaming series based on the iconic massively multiplayer online role-playing game “RuneScape,” in a high-profile creative partnership with popular content creator Charlie “MoistCr1TiKaL” White and game developer Jagex. The major entertainment project was officially announced 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 upcoming project is designed to bring the rich, expansive fantasy world of Gielinor from computer monitors and consoles directly to the screen. For Jagex, this ambitious adaptation marks a major strategic step forward in the company’s long-term vision to expand the “RuneScape” intellectual property far beyond the traditional gaming ecosystem, transforming a beloved quarter-century-old gaming brand into a multi-platform entertainment powerhouse.
Addressing the audience during his keynote presentation at RuneFest, Bellamy emphasized the profound historical connection between the game’s developers and its dedicated global community over the past twenty-five years.
“For 25 years, our players have helped shape ‘RuneScape’s’ extraordinary world, its characters and its stories,” said Bellamy while outlining the future of the franchise. “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 launched by Jagex back in 2001, “RuneScape” has steadily evolved over more than two decades into one of the most enduring, influential, and massively popular fantasy multiplayer online role-playing games in the history of the interactive entertainment industry. Within the virtual realm of Gielinor, players have historically been given the freedom to forge their own unique, individualized paths through open-ended gameplay that emphasizes extensive quests, immersive combat, world exploration, and cooperative social adventures. Over the years, the overarching franchise has successfully expanded to encompass multiple distinct titles and iterations, including the modern flagship “RuneScape,” the nostalgic and fiercely popular “Old School RuneScape,” and the continuing rollout of related projects such as “RuneScape Dragonwilds.”
Central to the creative momentum of the new animated adaptation is Charlie White, widely known to millions across the internet by his online persona “MoistCr1TiKaL.” As a longtime, dedicated member of the “RuneScape” community who has openly documented his passion for the game over many years, White brings both authentic fan credibility and immense digital reach to the partnership, having amassed a massive following of more than 25 million people across his various video channels and digital media platforms.
Reflecting on his deep personal history with the franchise and his transition into an official production partner, White expressed immense enthusiasm for the upcoming adaptation.
“I’ve been playing RuneScape for 22 years, and it’s one of my favorite IPs ever,” said White. “I’m so excited to be working with the team on this project.”
Production duties for the animated series will be spearheaded by Lyrical Animation in direct collaboration with White’s own production banner, Meatier Productions. The creative forces behind the studio are already mapping out how to successfully translate the distinct tone of the games into an episodic television format that appeals both to veterans of the MMORPG and to newcomers unfamiliar with the lore of Gielinor.
Daniel Dominguez, the creative director of Lyrical Animation, elaborated on the unique tonal challenges and creative opportunities presented by the source material during the announcement.
“RuneScape has such a unique storytelling voice, at once laugh-out-loud funny and effortlessly insightful,” said Dominguez. “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.”
As development on the project is currently in its early stages, executives from Lyrical Animation, Meatier Productions, and Jagex have indicated that comprehensive production details, casting announcements, visual style guides, and distribution timelines will be kept under wraps for the time being. The companies have announced that they expect to share further updates and reveal more concrete details regarding the series to the public in 2027.
