Riot Games appears to be developing a League of Legends action RPG in secret, based on 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 taking shape, with both roles flagging familiarity with the League of Legends IP as a sought-after requirement. Neither listing officially names 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 comes as Riot continues expanding 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 Secret Project Comes to Light
The two contract postings found on Riot’s jobs page reveal tantalising details about the Shanghai-based studio’s secret project. The Combat Game Designer role specifically seeks someone with deep expertise of action games and ARPGs, with particular emphasis on crafting engaging combat experience, responsive controls, and advanced AI systems. This indicates Riot is building something technically complex from scratch, utilising Unreal Engine as the development platform. The posting indicates the team is still in initial phases, continuously refining fundamental mechanics rather than polishing an existing foundation.
Alongside the design position, Riot is recruiting a CG animator with expertise in stylised character work—a recruitment decision that hints at the visual direction the project may take. Given League of Legends’ unique visual aesthetic, this animator would likely 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 committed meaningful resources to investigating what an action-focused League experience might entail. The recruitment approach indicates the studio is building a focused though modest, core team to prototype and validate core gameplay concepts.
- Combat Game Designer role focuses on action-RPG systems development
- CG animator brings stylised character animation knowledge to project
- Early-stage R&D suggests years remain before possible launch
- Unreal Engine selected as main development platform for title
Combat Mechanics and Technical Specifications
What the Job Listings Reveal
The Combat Game Designer posting offers crucial insight into the project’s mechanical ambitions. Candidates must demonstrate extensive knowledge in action-based games and ARPGs, with specific focus on creating engaging combat feel—a hallmark of successful titles in the genre. The role clearly demands developing and refining on combat systems from scratch using Unreal Engine, suggesting Riot intends to develop something fundamentally distinct from League of Legends’ turn-based MOBA mechanics. The emphasis on AI development indicates the studio is designing advanced enemy AI systems, potentially for single-player and co-operative experiences rather than purely competitive gameplay.
The technical requirements outlined in the listings reveal a systematic, process-driven development approach. Candidates are required to work within a compact, nascent team where personal input hold significant importance. The emphasis on “combat feel” rather than simply mechanical balance suggests Riot prioritises user experience and feedback—qualities vital for contemporary action role-playing games. This recruitment approach demonstrates the Shanghai studio is not rushing to production but rather dedicating resources to testing and refining fundamental gameplay mechanics before scaling the project further.
- Extensive knowledge in action games and ARPG design mechanics required
- Combat sensation and player responsiveness prioritised over mechanical balance
- AI systems development suggests likely single-player or co-op focus
- Unreal Engine selected as primary development platform
- Early-stage prototyping phase suggests years until commercial release
Broadening the League of Legends Franchise
Riot Games has traditionally positioned League of Legends as the foundation of an extensive multimedia franchise, yet the company’s gaming ambitions have traditionally centred on the original MOBA title itself. The disclosure of a undisclosed action RPG project in development marks a notable change in strategy, suggesting Riot aims to diversify its game catalogue across different gameplay styles rather than depending exclusively on League’s esports infrastructure. This approach echoes successful franchises like The Elder Scrolls or Final Fantasy, where a main entry coexists alongside secondary games that explore different gameplay styles. By producing an ARPG based in Runeterra, Riot can capitalise on the deep storytelling and established character base whilst reaching players who prefer single-player or co-operative experiences over competitive multiplayer.
The scheduling of these advancements is notably important given Riot’s extensive franchise growth plans. Alongside the action role-playing game project, the company has poured significant investment in the long-gestating League of Legends MMO, hiring Raymond Bartos from World of Warcraft to speed up development following a significant reset in 2024. This two-pronged strategy suggests Riot is working towards an ambitious vision for Runeterra’s digital ecosystem. Rather than going head-to-head with one another, these initiatives appear designed to serve different audience segments—the MMO catering to persistent-world enthusiasts whilst the ARPG appeals to players seeking narrative-driven action experiences. Together, they embody Riot’s most ambitious growth 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 reveal tantalising evidence of the ARPG’s existence, Riot Games has preserved absolute silence concerning an public statement or launch timeframe. The contract positions advertised on the company’s careers page suggest the project remains in early-stage research and development, indicating it could be a considerable time from launch. Industry observers familiar with game development cycles observe that hiring for core positions such as Combat Game Designer commonly represents the beginning stages of production rather than an near-term launch. This careful tempo allows Riot to develop strong combat mechanics and gameplay systems prior to scaling the team further, a practical strategy given the demanding market of action RPGs.
The Shanghai studio’s participation in this endeavour reflects Riot’s global development infrastructure and the studio’s proven expertise in developing immersive gameplay. By situating the ARPG project at this location rather than consolidating efforts at a sole headquarters, Riot illustrates its dedication to decentralised development approaches that have generated favourable results across its product lineup. The company’s track record with League of Legends suggests audiences should anticipate a refined, well-designed experience whenever the ARPG eventually emerges. However, with the MMO also demanding significant resources and attention, the ARPG could not launch until 2027 or beyond, contingent upon completion targets and the company’s strategic priorities.
What Participants Should Anticipate
Should the ARPG reach completion, players can anticipate a single-player or co-operative action experience situated in the expansive universe of Runeterra, leveraging the universe’s established lore and beloved champions. The spotlight on stylised character work and combat feel suggests Riot seeks to create visceral, skill-based gameplay rather than a conventional dungeon crawler. Fans of narrative-driven action titles and those looking for a fresh approach of League engagement may discover the ARPG notably attractive, offering an contrast with the competitive online multiplayer focus that has defined the franchise from the beginning.
