Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more

To play RuneScape: Dragonwilds with friends, start a multiplayer world and have its host enable cross-play when loading it if players are on different platforms. Friends can then find cross-play worlds in the in-game world browser. A dedicated server is optional; it is useful when your group wants a world that does not depend on a player hosting the session.

Which platforms can play together?

At the September 15, 2026 full release, Jagex lists PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2 with cross-play. The platform list and release date come from Jagex’s 1.0 launch announcement.

How to join a friend’s multiplayer world

  1. Have the host start a multiplayer world. The host loads the world from the in-game menu.
  2. Choose whether to enable cross-play. The host makes this choice when loading a multiplayer world; it is not automatically enabled for every save.
  3. Ask friends to open the world browser. Jagex says cross-play-enabled worlds appear there, so friends joining across platforms should look for the hosted world in the browser.

Jagex’s 1.0 release announcement documents the host’s cross-play choice and world-browser discovery. Menu labels and invite mechanics can vary by platform; use the in-game prompts rather than relying on a universal button-by-button sequence.

What’s actually slowing this PC down?

Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

When a dedicated server makes sense

Ordinary multiplayer is the simpler choice when a player can host the session. Consider a dedicated server if you want the world to be available without relying on that player’s session, or if your group prefers to manage hosting separately. It requires additional setup and ongoing attention to server versions, configuration, and backups.

#1 Best Overall
Steamforged Games, RuneScape Kingdoms The Board Game Bundle: King Black Dragon, Kalphite Queen, TzKal-Zuk, Culinaromancer, and RuneScape Expansion (5 Items)
  • Immerse yourself in a thrilling tabletop adventure filled with strategy, storytelling, and dynamic character interactions designed to challenge every decision.
  • Experience high replayability through immersive roleplay, unpredictable encounters, and evolving tactical choices that keep every session intense and fresh.
  • Master your destiny with customizable heroes, intricate quests, and deep world-building that fuel creative expression and competitive gameplay.
  • Perfect for RPG enthusiasts seeking complex mechanics, cooperative missions, and richly detailed scenarios that spark imagination and rivalry.
  • Premium components, atmospheric artwork, and narrative depth make this board game a must-have centerpiece for any tabletop gaming collection.
Hosting option Best fit Trade-offs Jagex documents
Player-hosted multiplayer Groups happy to play through a host’s session No dedicated-server setup is needed; the world depends on the player hosting it.
Third-party host Groups seeking the easiest dedicated-server path Jagex describes this route as easiest, with set pricing and secured progression. Check current provider terms and prices directly.
Home computer Groups with a suitable computer and someone able to manage networking More setup, electricity costs, and manual backups.
Cloud computer Groups willing to configure and maintain a cloud machine Jagex describes it as the hardest route, with capacity-dependent costs and manual backups.

Jagex’s dedicated-server guide lists a third-party hosting partner, home hosting, and cloud hosting. The guide’s qualitative comparison is not a guarantee of current provider pricing or service terms.

What self-hosting a dedicated server requires

  • Operating system: 64-bit Windows or Linux.
  • Memory: 2 GB plus 1 GB per player, according to Jagex’s guide.
  • Capacity: The guide states support for up to six players as of update 0.11, published in March 2026. Confirm the current limit against the latest documentation.
  • Network access: The default ports start at 7777 and must be reachable over UDP through relevant firewalls, routers, and your internet provider.
  • Server setup: The guide says the dedicated-server download is a free Steam product. Configuration includes an Owner ID, Server Name, Default World Name, and Admin password.

Back up a local world before migrating it to a dedicated server or making major changes. Jagex’s guide covers save migration and backups as well as the server setup steps.

Rank #2
RuneScape Kingdoms: Shadow of Elvarg
  • Grab your capes and party hats, because we’re going to Gielinor!
  • Inspired by the record-breaking online universe that’s captured the imagination of millions worldwide, RuneScape Kingdoms: Shadow of Elvarg is the official cooperative board game for 1-5 players.

How to find and troubleshoot a dedicated server

Find a public server

  1. Open Worlds, then select the Public tab.
  2. Search for the world’s exact name. The search is case-sensitive, so capitalization must match.

If the server does not appear

  • Check that the game client and server are on matching versions, especially after an update or hotfix.
  • Verify the exact world name, including capitalization.
  • Confirm required configuration is present, including the mandatory server settings described in Jagex’s guide.
  • Inspect server logs for startup or configuration errors.

If the server appears but you cannot join

For a self-hosted server, check that its UDP ports are reachable and that port forwarding is configured correctly where needed. Jagex identifies failed port forwarding as a likely cause when a server is visible but inaccessible.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Use current versions when diagnosing connection problems

Connection behavior can change with patches. Jagex’s September 2026 1.0.0.5 patch notes described fixes for failures connecting when more than two players were already on a multiplayer server, including a specific Xbox case. They also noted a console-related issue involving joins to modded dedicated servers and save corruption. These are version-specific notes, not proof that the same issues affect every current player; update the game and server before troubleshooting.

Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 2
RuneScape Kingdoms: Shadow of Elvarg
RuneScape Kingdoms: Shadow of Elvarg
Grab your capes and party hats, because we’re going to Gielinor!
$49.95
Bestseller No. 5
Map - Old School RuneScape Gaming Desk Mat – Large Extended Mouse & Keyboard Pad
Map - Old School RuneScape Gaming Desk Mat – Large Extended Mouse & Keyboard Pad
Featuring Original Artwork from OSRS Community Artists; Machine Washable; Smooth, Easy-Glide surface
$49.99
Best Value
Map - Old School RuneScape Gaming Desk Mat – Large Extended Mouse & Keyboard Pad
  • Featuring Original Artwork from OSRS Community Artists
  • Machine Washable
  • Smooth, Easy-Glide surface
  • Printed at 300 Dots Per Inch
Rank #4
Sale
RuneScape Kingdoms: King Black Dragon Expansion
  • Deep in the dangerous wasteland to the north east — the place they call the Wilderness — lies the lair of the King Black Dragon. A fearsome, three-headed beast infamous for dealing burning, freezing, electrifying, poisonous death to unfortunate adventurers. But lucky for you, Bob the Cat is here to lend a helping paw! Still, you may want to say a prayer before taking this quest on…
  • The King Black Dragon expansion grows your RuneScape Kingdoms universe with an infamous new boss to face, Bob the Cat to meet, Prayer skill to master, Wilderness location to explore, and a whole new campaign, A Cat’s Tale of Triple Trouble, that will test your dragon-slaying mettle!
  • It’s packed with new side quests, vault cards, and events, plus new items to discover, craft, and equip on your path to victory.
  • Please note, you’ll need a copy of RuneScape Kingdoms: Shadow of Elvarg to use this expansion.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.