RuneScape Dev Pulls Trailer After 6-Fingered Knight Leads to Generative AI Allegations
RuneScape developer Jagex has pulled a new trailer after a six-fingered knight led to allegations of generative AI usage from fans. There were some ups and downs for RuneScape players over the weekend. What started with a string of big reveals from RuneFest 2026 ended with social media users voicing their concern that generative AI had been used to make the new trailer for RuneScape 3's Dragon Slayer 2 quest. The backlash was loud enough that Jagex stepped in not only to release an official response on the matter but also to pull the trailer entirely while it investigates "urgently."
The statement, posted on Reddit by social media manager Alex Sween (via Kotaku), acknowledged some of the more undeniable concerns related to the trailer – including the fact that one of its knights has six fingers. The post began by referencing a separate incident involving 100 Thieves and OSRS, noting that the team had taken a "hard line stance" against generative AI earlier this year.
Jagex stated: "We’re aware of the concerns raised about the Dragon Slayer 2 trailer and have taken it down, while we investigate urgently. This trailer was produced by a trusted external partner who had explicitly confirmed that GenAI would not be used. But, among other things, there’s a sixth finger and, well, that’s pretty hard to explain away. For that we apologise. Although uploads of RuneScape's Dragon Slayer 2 trailer can no longer be found on official channels, it is still available via the full RuneFest 2026 livestream."
The team used its statement as an opportunity to reiterate its policy: "We don't use GenAI to create our games, artwork, or creative assets and will not knowingly allow it to be used on our behalf." However, the incident suggested a deeper problem for the MMO developer. Jagex explained that it plans to address its approach to working with partners going forward.
The statement continued by announcing: "Immediately following RuneFest we’re overhauling our review processes," and committing to commissioning creators from the community to ensure the story of Dragon Slayer 2 is told to the standard befitting such an update. The six-fingered knight was seen as the primary evidence, but another bizarre detail—a fully-armored knight wearing what seemed like modern sneakers—also raised fan eyebrows. In follow-up replies, Sween acknowledged that it's something Jagex "should have caught," admitting, "We didn't do well enough and can't simply place the blame elsewhere."