Elderwood: the AI clone of RuneScape and its impact on the community

In brief

Elderwood, a clone of Old School RuneScape, was unveiled on 6 September 2026 by Rohan Varma, an OpenAI employee. The game, which was playable in a browser, initially drew players’ attention but quickly sparked negative reactions due to its poor quality. Jagex, the developer of RuneScape, filed a legal complaint on 9 September 2026, leading to Elderwood’s rapid shutdown.

GAME-scanner analysis

The development of Elderwood using GPT-6 Astra technology raises important ethical questions about the use of AI in the game industry. While the clone offered gameplay similar to Old School RuneScape, it lacked the polish and quality players expect from the original. The RuneScape community, known for its strong attachment to the game’s aesthetic, responded with heavy criticism. This highlights that players are not only looking for new experiences, but also authenticity and quality. Jagex’s swift legal action shows that there are limits to what is considered acceptable in gaming, especially when it comes to protecting intellectual property.

What does this mean for players?

For RuneScape players, the rise and fall of Elderwood is a warning about the impact of AI on the gaming industry. The negative reaction to Elderwood underscores that players value the quality of their experiences. This may encourage developers to pay closer attention to what their communities want. In addition, Jagex’s legal action could deter other developers from starting similar projects, potentially shaping the future of AI-driven game development.