Riot Games appears to be developing a League of Legends action RPG behind closed doors, 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 flagging 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 set within the League universe. The discovery arrives as Riot keeps broadening the franchise beyond 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 Secret Project Emerges
The two contract postings discovered on Riot’s careers page unveil tantalising details about the Shanghai-based studio’s mysterious undertaking. The Game Combat Designer role specifically seeks someone with deep expertise of action games and ARPGs, with specific focus on crafting compelling combat feel, responsive controls, and responsive artificial intelligence systems. This indicates Riot is developing something mechanically sophisticated from the ground up, utilising Unreal Engine as the core technology. The job description shows the team is still in initial phases, actively iterating on fundamental mechanics rather than refining an existing foundation.
Alongside the design position, Riot is recruiting a CG animator experienced in stylised character work—a recruitment decision that hints at the visual direction the project may take. Given League of Legends’ distinctive art style, this animator would probably help create a unified visual approach for the action RPG. Whilst temporary positions at this developmental stage typically signal projects remain some distance from launch, the combination of these two positions suggests Riot has invested significant effort to exploring what an action-focused League experience might entail. The recruitment approach indicates the studio is assembling a focused though modest, core team to prototype and validate fundamental gameplay mechanics.
- Action Game Designer role focuses on action-RPG systems development
- CG animator brings stylised character animation knowledge to project
- Initial research and development indicates years remain before potential release
- Unreal Engine chosen as primary development platform for title
Combat Design and Technical Specifications
What These Listings Demonstrate
The Combat Game Designer posting offers valuable perspective into the project’s mechanical ambitions. Candidates must demonstrate deep expertise in action-based games and ARPGs, with specific focus on creating engaging combat feel—a defining characteristic of acclaimed games in the genre. The role explicitly requires building and iterating on combat systems from scratch using Unreal Engine, indicating Riot plans to create something fundamentally distinct from League of Legends’ turn-based MOBA mechanics. The emphasis on AI development suggests the studio is building advanced enemy AI systems, potentially for single-player and co-operative experiences rather than purely competitive gameplay.
The technical requirements presented within the listings illustrate a systematic, process-driven production strategy. Candidates are expected to work within a small, early-stage team where individual contributions hold significant importance. The emphasis on “combat feel” rather than simply mechanical balance indicates Riot prioritises player sensation and responsiveness—qualities vital for modern action RPGs. This hiring strategy demonstrates the Shanghai studio is avoiding hasty moves toward production but rather investing time in testing and refining core gameplay loops before expanding operations further.
- Deep expertise in action games and ARPG design mechanics needed
- Combat sensation and player feedback emphasised over balance mechanics
- Development of AI systems suggests potential single-player or cooperative focus
- Unreal Engine chosen as primary development platform
- Early prototyping stage indicates considerable time until market launch
Expanding the League of Legends Franchise
Riot Games has consistently positioned League of Legends as the cornerstone of an sprawling multimedia franchise, yet the company’s game development goals have historically centred on the original MOBA title itself. The announcement of a secret action RPG in development marks a major pivot in strategy, suggesting Riot aims to diversify its game catalogue across different gameplay styles rather than relying solely on League’s esports infrastructure. This approach reflects successful franchises like The Elder Scrolls or Final Fantasy, where a flagship title coexists alongside spin-offs that delve into different gaming experiences. By developing an ARPG based in Runeterra, Riot can capitalise on the rich lore and established character base whilst reaching players who prefer solo or cooperative gameplay over competitive multiplayer.
The scheduling of these initiatives is particularly noteworthy given Riot’s wide-ranging franchise expansion strategy. Alongside the action RPG initiative, the company has invested heavily in the long-in-development League of Legends MMO, bringing on Raymond Bartos from World of Warcraft to expedite the production process following a significant reset in 2024. This parallel development path suggests Riot is chasing an expansive vision for Runeterra’s interactive landscape. Rather than directly competing with one another, these endeavours appear intended to cater to different audience segments—the MMO targeting persistent-world enthusiasts whilst the ARPG caters to players looking for narrative-driven action experiences. Together, they represent Riot’s most aggressive 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 |
Timeframe and Growth Prospects
Whilst the job postings offer intriguing evidence of the ARPG’s existence, Riot Games has maintained strict silence about an public statement or release window. The contract positions advertised on the company’s careers page indicate the project continues in early-stage research and development, suggesting it could be several years away from launch. Industry observers experienced in game development cycles note that hiring for essential positions such as Combat Game Designer generally indicates the early phases of production rather than an near-term launch. This careful tempo allows Riot to develop strong combat mechanics and gameplay systems before expanding the team further, a sensible approach given the competitive landscape of action RPGs.
The Shanghai studio’s contribution in this initiative reflects Riot’s worldwide development capabilities and the studio’s established track record in developing immersive gameplay. By situating the ARPG project at this site rather than consolidating efforts at a unified central hub, Riot showcases its support for distributed team structures that have produced successful outcomes across its product lineup. The company’s track record with League of Legends suggests audiences should anticipate a polished, technically proficient offering whenever the ARPG ultimately launches. However, with the MMO also requiring substantial investment and focus, the ARPG could not launch until 2027 or beyond, based on project milestones and the company’s strategic priorities.
What Players Should Expect
Should the ARPG be finished, players can anticipate a single-player or co-operative action experience set within the rich tapestry of Runeterra, drawing upon the world’s existing lore and iconic champions. The spotlight on stylised character work and combat mechanics suggests Riot aims to deliver intense, mechanically demanding gameplay rather than a straightforward dungeon crawler. Fans of narrative-driven action titles and those looking for a fresh approach of League engagement may discover the ARPG notably attractive, presenting an contrast with the competitive online multiplayer focus that has characterised the franchise since its inception.
