Jagex’s early-access survival crafting game RuneScape: Dragonwilds has officially launched its latest update, titled “It’s a Kind of Magic.” Now live as version 0.8 on Steam, this update brings a substantial amount of new content and features—most notably, the long-awaited Magic Skill, a Hardcore difficulty mode, and major improvements to the game’s building system.
The new Magic Skill allows players to level up to level 50, with two powerful Skill Spells introduced as part of the system. These spells open up fresh strategies for combat and utility, expanding the game’s survival mechanics into magical territory for the first time.
Players will also notice significant upgrades in building and crafting. The update includes rebalanced health values for individual building pieces, a visual overhaul for high-tier buildings using oak textures, and a new wear and tear system that makes structural damage more visible during gameplay.
A new Hardcore difficulty setting has been introduced for those seeking a real challenge. Enemies in this mode deal and receive more damage, and upon death, players will lose all items and XP progression permanently, with no gravestone to recover their lost gear—heightening the stakes for each survival decision.
To balance out the difficulty, a new Coziness system has been implemented. When near a claimed bed, players will experience slower depletion of survival meters such as hunger and energy, allowing for longer uninterrupted crafting sessions and base upgrades.
Since its early access debut, RuneScape: Dragonwilds has sold over 600,000 copies, reaching a peak of 52,641 concurrent players on Steam. While recent reviews have been mixed, the overall reception remains “Very Positive,” reflecting a growing and engaged player base.
Jagex has confirmed that development will continue through at least early 2026, promising consistent updates and new features aimed at refining and expanding the Dragonwilds experience.
