Riot Games appears to be developing a League of Legends action RPG in secret, according to newly discovered job listings posted to the company’s careers page. Two contract positions at Riot’s Shanghai studio—one for a Combat Game Designer and another for a CG animator—indicate an early-stage project is coming together, with both roles highlighting familiarity with the League of Legends IP as a sought-after requirement. Neither listing formally identifies the project, but the emphasis on action gameplay mechanics and Runeterra expertise clearly suggests the title will be situated in the League universe. The discovery arrives as Riot keeps broadening the franchise outside of its original MOBA roots, having recently recruited Raymond Bartos, a former World of Warcraft lead producer, to oversee its long-delayed League MMO.
Shanghai Studio’s Confidential Initiative Emerges
The two contract postings found on Riot’s careers page reveal intriguing details about the Shanghai-based studio’s mysterious undertaking. The Game Combat Designer role actively looks for someone with extensive knowledge of action games and action RPGs, with specific focus on developing compelling combat feel, responsive controls, and responsive artificial intelligence systems. This indicates Riot is developing something technically complex from the ground up, utilising Unreal Engine as the core technology. The job description indicates the team is still in initial phases, actively iterating on core systems rather than polishing an established base.
Alongside the design position, Riot is recruiting a CG animator with expertise in stylised character work—a hiring choice that hints at the artistic trajectory the project may take. Given League of Legends’ unique visual aesthetic, this animator would probably help establish a cohesive aesthetic for the action RPG. Whilst contract roles at this early phase generally indicate projects remain years away from launch, the combination of these two positions suggests Riot has committed meaningful resources to exploring what an action-focused League experience might entail. The recruitment approach indicates the studio is building a dedicated, albeit small, core team to prototype and validate fundamental gameplay mechanics.
- Action Game Designer role concentrates on action/ARPG mechanics development
- CG animator contributes stylized character animation knowledge to project
- Early-stage R&D suggests considerable time remains before potential release
- Unreal Engine chosen as primary development platform for title
Combat Mechanics and Technical Requirements
What These Listings Demonstrate
The Combat Game Designer posting provides crucial insight into the project’s mechanical ambitions. Candidates need to show extensive knowledge in action games and ARPGs, with specific focus on crafting satisfying combat feel—a hallmark of acclaimed games in the genre. The role clearly demands building and iterating on combat systems from scratch using Unreal Engine, suggesting Riot intends to develop something distinctly different from League of Legends’ turn-based MOBA mechanics. The emphasis on AI development indicates the studio is building advanced enemy AI systems, potentially for single-player and co-operative experiences rather than purely competitive gameplay.
The specification details outlined in the listings paint a picture of a systematic, process-driven development approach. Candidates are required to work within a small, early-stage team where personal input carry substantial weight. The emphasis on “combat feel” rather than merely mechanical balance indicates Riot prioritises user experience and feedback—qualities essential to modern action RPGs. This hiring strategy indicates the Shanghai studio is avoiding hasty moves toward production but rather dedicating resources to testing and refining core gameplay loops before expanding operations further.
- Strong proficiency in action and ARPG design mechanics needed
- Combat sensation and player feedback prioritised over mechanical balance
- Development of AI systems suggests likely single-player or cooperative focus
- Unreal selected as main development platform
- Early-stage prototyping phase suggests years before commercial release
Broadening the League of Legends Franchise
Riot Games has consistently positioned League of Legends as the cornerstone of an extensive multimedia franchise, yet the company’s gaming ambitions have traditionally centred on the original MOBA title itself. The announcement of a undisclosed action RPG project in production marks a significant shift in strategy, suggesting Riot aims to diversify its gaming portfolio across different gameplay styles rather than relying solely on League’s competitive ecosystem. This approach reflects successful franchises like The Elder Scrolls or Final Fantasy, where a flagship title coexists alongside supplementary titles that venture into different gaming experiences. By producing an ARPG set within Runeterra, Riot can tap into the rich lore and established character base whilst reaching players who prefer single-player or co-operative experiences over multiplayer competition.
The timing of these initiatives is notably important given Riot’s wide-ranging franchise expansion strategy. Alongside the action RPG project, the company has poured significant investment in the long-in-development League of Legends MMO, hiring Raymond Bartos from World of Warcraft to expedite the production process following a significant reset in 2024. This parallel development path suggests Riot is working towards an ambitious vision for Runeterra’s interactive landscape. Rather than competing directly with one another, these projects appear intended to cater to different audience segments—the MMO targeting persistent-world enthusiasts whilst the ARPG appeals to players looking for compelling story-based action gameplay. Together, they embody Riot’s boldest expansion of the League franchise beyond its MOBA origins.
| Project Type | Current Status |
|---|---|
| League of Legends ARPG | Early-stage R&D at Shanghai studio |
| League of Legends MMO | Active production with new leadership |
| Original League of Legends MOBA | Ongoing development and seasonal updates |
| Runeterra IP Expansion | Multiple projects across different genres |
Timeline and Development Outlook
Whilst the job postings provide compelling evidence of the ARPG’s existence, Riot Games has maintained strict silence concerning an public statement or availability date. The contract positions listed on the company’s careers page suggest the project remains in initial R&D phases, indicating it could be years distant from launch. Industry observers versed in game development cycles point out that hiring for core positions such as Combat Game Designer typically signals the early phases of production rather than an near-term launch. This measured pace allows Riot to develop strong combat mechanics and gameplay systems prior to scaling the team further, a practical strategy given the intense competition of action RPGs.
The Shanghai studio’s contribution in this initiative reflects Riot’s international development framework and the studio’s demonstrated proficiency in crafting engaging gameplay experiences. By situating the ARPG project at this location rather than centralising operations at a single headquarters, Riot illustrates its support for distributed team structures that have produced successful outcomes across its portfolio. The company’s experience developing League of Legends suggests audiences should anticipate a polished, mechanically sound experience whenever the ARPG ultimately launches. However, with the MMO also demanding significant resources and attention, the ARPG may not materialise until 2027 or beyond, based on development milestones and Riot’s internal priorities.
What Gamers Should Be Prepared For
Should the ARPG be finished, players can anticipate a solo or multiplayer cooperative action experience placed in the vibrant world of Runeterra, utilising the world’s existing lore and beloved champions. The focus on stylised character work and combat feel suggests Riot intends to provide visceral, skill-based gameplay rather than a standard dungeon crawler. Fans of character-rich action titles and those pursuing a alternative take of League engagement may consider the ARPG especially compelling, presenting an contrast with the competitive online multiplayer focus that has shaped the franchise from its launch.
