On November 12, 2019, Rune 2 launched as an Epic Games Store exclusive. The very next day, developer Human Head Studios announced it was closing its doors—leaving the game orphaned on day one.
: Human Head immediately resurfaced as Roundhouse Studios under Bethesda Softworks. Rune 2
Despite the behind-the-scenes turmoil, Rune 2 attempted to modernize the cult-classic hack-and-slash mechanics of the original 2000 title. On November 12, 2019, Rune 2 launched as
Rune 2 is best remembered today as a game that had one of the most chaotic and controversial launches in gaming history. While the game itself offered a unique Viking-themed survival-action experience, its legacy is inseparable from the legal and corporate drama that unfolded within 24 hours of its release. The Chaos of Launch Day Despite the behind-the-scenes turmoil, Rune 2 attempted to
: Publisher Ragnarok Game LLC later sued Human Head, alleging they intentionally sabotaged the launch and withheld the game's source code. Core Gameplay: Decapitation & Survival