When Did Old School RuneScape Come Out? A Complete History of OSRS

Old School RuneScape has one of the most unusual origin stories in online gaming. It didn't launch as a new game — it was restored from the past and handed directly to its community to shape. Understanding when it came out requires understanding what it actually is, and why the date matters differently depending on how you play.

What Is Old School RuneScape, Exactly?

Before pinning down a release date, it helps to clarify what OSRS actually is. Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a version of RuneScape based on a August 2007 backup of the game's code — preserved just before the game underwent major updates that dramatically changed its direction.

The original RuneScape launched in January 2001, developed by Jagex. Over the years it evolved significantly, eventually receiving a major graphics and mechanics overhaul called RuneScape 2 in 2004, and later RuneScape 3 in 2013. Many longtime players felt the updates moved the game away from what they loved. That nostalgia created the demand for what would become OSRS.

The Official Old School RuneScape Release Date

🗓️ Old School RuneScape officially launched on February 22, 2013.

Jagex released the 2007 build of the game in response to overwhelming community demand. A player poll — one of the first of many that would define OSRS's development philosophy — showed that hundreds of thousands of players wanted access to the older version of the game. Jagex set a threshold: if 500,000 players voted in favor, they would bring it back. That number was reached quickly, and the servers went live.

At launch, OSRS was made available exclusively to paying members. Free-to-play access was added later, in February 2015, expanding the game's reach significantly.

Why 2007 Specifically?

The 2007 build wasn't chosen arbitrarily. That particular snapshot of RuneScape represents what many players consider the game's golden era — before the Evolution of Combat (EoC) system, before the Grand Exchange disrupted the economy in ways some found unfavorable, and before graphical and interface changes that alienated a portion of the player base.

The August 2007 backup had enough content to be a complete, playable game, while retaining the mechanics that defined classic RuneScape gameplay:

• Click-to-move navigation
• Tick-based combat system
• Classic skill progression (Woodcutting, Fishing, Mining, etc.)
• Player-vs-Player wilderness mechanics
• The original quest library

This is why OSRS is sometimes still called "2007scape" in the community, even though the game has evolved substantially since its 2013 re-release.

How OSRS Has Changed Since 2013

One of the defining features of OSRS is that the community votes on every significant update. No major content is added to the game without passing a player poll — typically requiring 70–75% approval. This system means OSRS in 2024 is not identical to the 2007 build that launched it, but every change reflects what the community agreed to.

Notable additions since launch include:

The mobile release in 2018 was particularly significant — it brought OSRS to a new generation of players and dramatically expanded the active player base.

OSRS vs. RuneScape 3: Two Live Games, One Studio

It's worth distinguishing OSRS from RuneScape 3 (RS3), which Jagex also actively maintains. Both games are live simultaneously, with separate development teams, separate updates, and separate player bases.

• OSRS emphasizes community-voted, slower progression and a deliberately retro feel
• RS3 features modern graphics, a different combat system, and more frequent major updates

Players sometimes migrate between both, but the mechanics and economies are entirely separate. Your OSRS account and RS3 account are distinct — progress doesn't transfer.

The Variables That Affect Your OSRS Experience Today

The question of "when did OSRS come out" is straightforward, but the more relevant question for most players is: what does getting into OSRS look like in your situation right now?

Several factors shape this differently for different players:

• Platform: Desktop, iOS, or Android each offer different interfaces and control schemes
• Membership status: Free-to-play gives access to a meaningful portion of the game; members unlocks the majority of content, skills, and quests
• Prior RuneScape experience: Returning players from 2007 will find familiar systems with years of additional content layered on top; new players start from zero with no prior muscle memory
• Time investment: OSRS is designed around long-term progression. Skill training is intentionally slow by modern gaming standards — that's a feature for some players and a dealbreaker for others
• PvP interest: Whether you want to engage with the Wilderness and PvP systems significantly affects which skills, gear, and progression paths matter most to you

🎮 The game that launched on February 22, 2013 still exists at its core — but the surrounding ecosystem of modes, community tools, and added content means two players starting today can have meaningfully different experiences depending on their goals.

Whether OSRS fits your current gaming habits, time availability, and preferred progression style depends entirely on where you're coming from and what you're looking for from the game.