Old School Runescape Statistics [2026]

Old School Runescape has one of the strongest long-term communities in gaming. It launched as a nostalgic callback, but it turned into a case study in how player-driven design, frequent content updates, and cross-platform access can keep a game thriving for more than a decade.

In this article, you’ll get a clear look at how the app is performing today. You’ll see when it launched, how it grew, how many people still play, and what the latest download and revenue numbers look like. If you work in gaming or you’re just fascinated by long-running hits, this breakdown will give you a sharp view of why Old School Runescape continues to stay relevant in 2026.

What Is Old School Runescape?

Old School Runescape is a fantasy MMORPG built around open-ended progression, player freedom, and a community-driven design philosophy. It captures the feel of the 2007 version of Runescape, but with ongoing updates shaped by player voting. The core loop mixes classic questing, skilling, PvE combat, and trading inside a shared economy that still feels unique in today’s market.

At its heart, the game is about long-term goals. You can chase max skills, grind bosses, flip items on the Grand Exchange, or join PvP battles in the Wilderness. There’s no fixed meta pushing you in one direction, which is why the game attracts players who enjoy slow-burn progression, deep systems, and social play.

While Old School Runescape is available on Steam and other platforms, this article focuses specifically on the mobile app. The mobile version brought the full MMO experience to phones without cutting features, which helped the game reach new audiences and keep long-time fans engaged on the go.

Games Like Old School Runescape

If you’re looking for games like Runescape, with a similar feel, progression style, or MMO structure, here are a few strong comparisons:

• Runescape Mobile (the modern version of RS3)
• AdventureQuest 3D
• Ragnarok Origin
• Albion Online
• Villagers & Heroes
• World of Kings
• Lineage 2: Revolution
• Toram Online

These titles share traits like open-ended leveling, social hubs, grind-heavy progression, or fantasy MMO structure, which makes them natural picks for players who enjoy Old School Runescape’s style.

Who Made Runescape?

Runescape was originally created by Andrew, Paul, and Ian Gower. They developed the first version of the game under their company, Jagex, which they founded in 2001.

Jagex has remained the studio behind both modern Runescape and Old School Runescape. Over the years, the company shifted ownership several times, but the core IP and development stayed under Jagex. Old School Runescape is still maintained by dedicated internal teams that work closely with the community through polls and dev blogs.

When Was Old School Runescape Released?

Old School Runescape launched on February 22, 2013 for desktop.

The mobile version arrived later, launching globally on October 30, 2018 for both iOS and Android. This release marked a turning point for the game’s growth, since it opened the doors for returning players and a new generation of MMO fans who preferred to play on their phones.

How Many People Play Old School Runescape?

Old School Runescape continues to rank among the most played mobile games, even after more than a decade on the market. Based on the average results from the last 30 days, the app sits at 112 thousand DAU and 457 thousand MAU (AppMagic, 2026).

Those numbers show how steady the game’s engagement is. The ratio between daily and monthly users also tells a clear story. A large share of the player base logs in regularly, which is common for MMOs built around long-term goals, routine progression, and social interaction.

The MAU figure highlights another point. A base of 457 thousand monthly users is unusually strong for a mobile MMO with a traditional PC feel. It suggests that the mobile version didn’t just bring back returning players. It also attracted new users who discovered the game through app stores or cross-platform word of mouth.

Overall, the current player counts show a healthy, committed community. The numbers may not spike like newer live service titles, but the stability makes Old School Runescape a standout example of long-term retention in mobile gaming.

How Many Downloads Does Old School Runescape Have?

Old School Runescape is also one of the most downloaded mobile games in its genre. The app has reached 12.2 million all-time downloads (AppMagic, 2026), which is impressive for an MMO with deep systems and a slower progression style compared to most mobile titles.

Most of these downloads come from English-speaking markets. The United States leads with 51%, followed by the United Kingdom with 11%, Canada with 7%, Australia with 5%, and the Netherlands with 4%. This breakdown fits the game’s long history and its strong presence in Western markets.

What’s notable is that installs keep growing even years after the mobile launch. Players still find the game through app stores, social channels, and returning PC players who want a portable way to jump back in.

Runescape Ads & User Acquisition Strategy

Old School Runescape sits in a unique position compared to most mobile titles. The majority of its downloads come from people who already know the Runescape universe. Many played it years ago and want that same old-school feel on their phones. Because of that, the game doesn’t rely on massive paid marketing pushes. It already has a built-in audience with strong intent.

Even so, Jagex still runs ads, and they’re smart about how they do it. The most effective campaigns lean straight into nostalgia. One of their top video ads speaks directly to fans of old Runescape. The narrator opens with a line like “oh fuck here we go again, I haven’t been in Gielinor in 5 years, let’s see what’s changed.” The video cuts quickly between classic gameplay scenes, reminding viewers of the grind, the progression, and the familiar humor that made the game iconic. It works because it speaks to the exact emotion that brings people back.

Another strong ad uses music as the hook.

It starts with the caption “if you recognize this song, you had a good childhood,” followed by a rock band playing a modern version of the legendary Sea Shanty 2 theme. Anyone who played Runescape in the 2000s knows the tune instantly. The ad turns that recognition into immediate interest.

They also run UGC-style ads, but with a twist. Instead of generic influencer clips, the creators are actual long-time players talking about their old accounts, their first memories, or the way the game looked when they were younger. It feels more authentic than typical mobile UGC content, and it reinforces the nostalgia angle.

Overall, the UA strategy is simple but well executed. Old School Runescape doesn’t need aggressive acquisition tactics. It only needs to remind the right people of how much they loved the game in the first place.

Old School Runescape Revenue

Old School Runescape ranks among the top-grossing mobile games in its category. The app has earned $93 million in all-time revenue (AppMagic, 2026), which is impressive for a title that avoids aggressive monetization and stays true to its subscription-first model.

Most of that revenue comes from the United States, making up 67% of total earnings. That lines up with the install distribution, but it also reflects spending behavior in the MMO and RPG markets. US players tend to invest more in long-term progression games, especially ones tied to nostalgia.

In the broader market, $93 million signals a successful product with strong retention and predictable revenue. Most mobile MMOs struggle to maintain stable earnings unless they push new content constantly or run aggressive in-app events. Old School Runescape doesn’t need that. Its core appeal comes from long-term goals, familiar systems, and a community that sticks around. That stability is rare, and it’s the reason the game continues to perform well even without flashy monetization mechanics.

How Does Runescape Make Money?

Old School Runescape uses a straightforward monetization strategy built around in-app purchases. The app is free to download and free to play, and the game’s economy stays consistent across mobile, PC, and Steam. The two main sources of revenue are membership subscriptions and bond purchases, both of which expand the experience without locking core gameplay behind paywalls.

Membership

Membership is the primary driver of revenue. It unlocks the full version of the game, including extra skills, larger areas, more quests, better training methods, and access to the broader player economy. For many users, membership is where Old School Runescape delivers most of its depth.

The pricing on mobile includes:

• 1 Month Membership for $12.49 or $13.99
• 3 Month Membership for $29.99
• 12 Month Premier Membership for $99.90

Membership works the same on every platform, so mobile users get full parity with desktop players. This is a big reason retention is strong. Players who commit to long-term progression tend to stay subscribed for months at a time.

Bonds

Bonds are the second major revenue source. A bond is an item you can buy with real money and trade for in-game currency or redeem for membership time. This system creates a legal way for players to exchange real money for gold without breaking rules. It also gives non-spending players the ability to gain membership by buying bonds from others using in-game wealth.

Mobile prices include:

• Old School Bond x1 for $8.99
• Old School Bonds x3 for $26.95
• Old School Bonds x5 for $44.95
• Old School Bonds x10 for $89.90

Bonds serve two key purposes. They help fight real-money trading, and they give players flexibility. Someone who plays a lot but doesn’t want to spend cash can earn their way into membership. Meanwhile, players with less time but more disposable income can shortcut the gold grind by buying bonds.

Why This Monetization Works

Old School Runescape’s monetization succeeds because it fits the game’s identity. The audience values fairness, progression, and stability. Subscription access feels honest. Bond trading keeps the economy active without turning into a pay-to-win system. And because both options have existed on PC for years, the mobile version feels natural rather than forced.

This mix keeps spending healthy without pushing users into microtransaction loops. It’s a rare model on mobile, but one that fits perfectly with the game’s long-term community and MMO structure.

Final Thoughts

Old School Runescape shows how strong design, community input, and nostalgia can keep a game thriving long after its original release. The mobile version didn’t just bring the classic experience to a new platform. It helped the game grow, reach new audiences, and stay competitive in a market filled with faster, flashier titles.

The data shows a clear pattern.

Steady engagement, consistent downloads, reliable revenue, and a loyal base that treats the game as a long-term hobby. That combination is rare in mobile gaming, especially for an MMO built on a subscription model. Old School Runescape proves that when the core experience is strong and the audience is deeply invested, you don’t need aggressive monetization or constant reinvention. You just need to keep delivering the experience people fell in love with.

Data Source

1. AppMagic, 2026. App Data

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