Old School RuneScape (OSRS) just reachieved a historic milestone after many years, reaching over 200,000 concurrent players on July 20th an astonishing feat for a game that originally launched over two decades ago. The surge was so strong that developer Jagex issued a quick server patch to stabilize the MMO under its unexpected load. The player count rise appears to be due to a few different factors.
Much of OSRS’s recent return to popularity boom can be traced back to a wave of disillusioned World of Warcraft streamers and fans. Frustrated with Blizzard’s current state of WoW, prominent streamers like Sodapoppin, AnnieFuchsia, and Guzu have flocked to Old School RuneScape over the summer. Their audiences have followed suit, many of whom are experiencing RuneScape for the first time or rediscovering it years later and picking back up where they left their accounts.
The charm of OSRS lies in its timeless design, player-driven economy, and evergreen content. Unlike modern MMOs that demand you restart with every expansion, OSRS lets you build one character indefinitely. As streamer Shobek put it:
"I find it so fresh that I can play a character that will not be irrelevant one year later."
Beyond the streamer hype, OSRS’s sustained popularity is thanks to its dedicated community and transparent developers. Many streamers have praised Jagex’s open communication and consistent update cadence. One of the biggest upcoming content drops is Varlamore Part 3: The Final Dawn, launching this Wednesday July 23rd. While it’s mostly targeted at mid-to-endgame players, there's still fresh content for new adventurers joining Gielinor. Here is a video that gives you all the details you need to know about it with a behind the scenes look.
OSRS also has its first new skill ever Sailing scheduled to arrive later this year. Though controversial among veterans, the new skill could serve as an exciting entry point for newer players and those wanting some fresh content in the game after so many years.
Once the free alternative to WoW for broke kids in the early 2000s, Old School RuneScape has evolved into one of the most respected MMOs today. Its modest system requirements, grind-heavy gameplay, and open-world freedom are resonating with players tired of scripted expansions and meta shifts in other MMOs.
"Old School RuneScape is peak," fans are now saying vindicating a loyal community that’s stuck around for decades.
With massive streamer attention, exciting updates like Varlamore Part 3 and Sailing, and a surging population, OSRS is more alive in 2025 than ever before. Whether you’re a newcomer or a returning vet, there’s never been a better time to start playing. Are you hopping in and grinding some exp?
As always, stay tuned to Gamefragger.com for more updates as we get them.