Old School RuneScape is renowned for its enchanting and diverse musical score. From the lively jazz of ‘H.A.M Fisted’ and the vibrant ‘Flute Salad,’ to the nostalgic ‘Harmony’ and the deeply cherished ‘Forever,’ Jagex’s audio team consistently crafts captivating melodies. However, when it comes to sheer impact and popularity, all these fantastic tracks undeniably fall short of the legendary ‘Sea Shanty 2’. With OSRS’s brand-new Sailing skill on the horizon, many players felt this was the ideal moment for Jagex to release a much-anticipated sequel to this quintessential anthem. Naturally, we put the burning question to the development team: “When can we expect Sea Shanty 3?”
With its distinctive trill and charmingly cheesy vibe, ‘Sea Shanty 2’ has firmly established itself as the signature Old School RuneScape tune. Earlier this year, OSRS experienced a massive surge in player numbers, drawing in a wave of new adventurers to Gielinor, including prominent content creators. Many of these newcomers were greeted by the classic melody upon reaching Port Sarim, further cementing the track’s status. Even celebrated EDM artist Alan Walker paid homage, treating the Tomorrowland festival to his own techno rendition as the game’s popularity reached fever pitch.
For years, players have pondered the possibility of a ‘Sea Shanty’ trilogy, and the impending launch of Sailing seemed to offer the perfect chance for a fresh, modern take. Unfortunately, it appears the odds are against it, despite the developers’ own wistful desires. “It was the first thing I requested from the audio team,” senior game designer Elena Nordmark revealed, adding with a touch of regret, “I don’t think they took me too seriously.” It seems even Jagex itself couldn’t sway the creative muse.
While this news might tempt some to stage a virtual riot in Varrock, Nordmark did hint that the team has “some other exciting news coming soon,” though she couldn’t “spoil too much” at the moment. So, at the very least, there’s something special brewing to ease the disappointment. Honestly, the lack of ‘Sea Shanty 3’ isn’t entirely surprising, and design director Kieran Charles perfectly articulated the sentiment:
“How do you do a sequel to perfection?”
Indeed, it’s a monumental challenge. We’ll be sharing more insights from our full conversation with the Jagex team about all things Sailing in the coming days. In the meantime, if you’re looking for new adventures, explore other fantastic free MMOs available now, or discover the latest MMOs making waves in the genre.
If you find yourself disagreeing with Charles’ profound statement, feel free to join our community Discord server and share your arguments. Or, if you have strong opinions on the Sailing update, we’re all ears—or rather, all oars!