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 highlighting familiarity with the League of Legends IP as a desirable qualification. 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 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 Confidential Initiative Comes to Light
The two contract listings discovered on Riot’s careers page unveil intriguing details about the Shanghai-based studio’s secret project. The Combat Game Designer role specifically seeks someone with deep expertise of action games and action RPGs, with particular emphasis on developing compelling combat feel, intuitive mechanics, and responsive artificial intelligence systems. This indicates Riot is developing something mechanically sophisticated from scratch, using Unreal Engine as the development platform. The job description indicates the team is still in initial phases, continuously refining core systems rather than polishing an existing foundation.
Alongside the designer role, 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 cohesive aesthetic for the action RPG. Whilst contract roles at this developmental stage generally indicate projects remain some distance from launch, the pairing of these roles suggests Riot has invested significant effort to investigating what an action-focused League experience might entail. The recruitment approach indicates the studio is assembling a dedicated, albeit small, core team to prototype and validate core gameplay concepts.
- Action Game Designer role concentrates on action-RPG systems development
- CG animator brings stylised character animation expertise to project
- Early-stage R&D indicates considerable time remains before possible launch
- Unreal Engine chosen as primary development platform for title
Combat Design and Technical Specifications
What the Vacancies Indicate
The Combat Game Designer job listing offers 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 defining characteristic of acclaimed games in the genre. The role explicitly requires building and iterating 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 focus on AI development indicates the studio is building advanced enemy AI systems, possibly intended for single-player and co-operative experiences rather than exclusively competitive gameplay.
The technical requirements presented within the listings paint a picture of a methodical, systems-focused production strategy. Candidates are expected to work within a small, early-stage team where personal input hold significant importance. The emphasis on “combat feel” rather than merely mechanical balance suggests Riot places value on user experience and feedback—qualities critical to modern action RPGs. This hiring strategy indicates the Shanghai studio is not rushing to production but rather dedicating resources to prototyping and validating fundamental gameplay mechanics before scaling the project further.
- Strong proficiency in action and ARPG design mechanics required
- Combat feel and player feedback emphasised over balance mechanics
- Development of AI systems suggests potential single-player or cooperative emphasis
- Unreal Engine chosen as primary technical development engine
- Early-stage prototyping phase indicates years before market launch
Growing the League of Legends Universe
Riot Games has consistently positioned League of Legends as the cornerstone of an extensive multimedia franchise, yet the company’s gaming ambitions have historically centred on the original MOBA title itself. The revelation of a undisclosed action RPG project in development marks a significant shift in strategy, suggesting Riot plans to diversify its gaming portfolio across multiple genres rather than depending exclusively on League’s esports infrastructure. This approach mirrors established series like The Elder Scrolls or Final Fantasy, where a main entry coexists alongside supplementary titles that explore different play mechanics. By developing an ARPG set within Runeterra, Riot can tap into the rich lore and established character base whilst reaching players who prefer solo or cooperative gameplay over multiplayer competition.
The pacing of these initiatives is particularly noteworthy given Riot’s extensive franchise growth plans. Alongside the action RPG initiative, the company has poured significant investment in the long-in-development League of Legends MMO, bringing on Raymond Bartos from World of Warcraft to accelerate production following a substantial restructuring in 2024. This two-pronged strategy suggests Riot is pursuing an ambitious vision for Runeterra’s gaming environment. Rather than directly competing with one another, these endeavours appear designed to serve different player demographics—the MMO catering to persistent-world enthusiasts whilst the ARPG appeals to players pursuing narrative-driven action experiences. Together, they embody Riot’s boldest expansion of the League franchise outside its MOBA roots.
| 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 |
Schedule and Future Development
Whilst the position listings provide compelling evidence of the ARPG’s existence, Riot Games has maintained strict silence concerning an official announcement or release window. The contract positions posted to the company’s careers page point to the project remains in foundational development stages, indicating it could be several years away from launch. Industry observers versed in game development cycles note that hiring for foundational roles such as Combat Game Designer typically signals the early phases of production rather than an imminent release. This careful tempo 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 involvement in this project reflects Riot’s worldwide development capabilities and the studio’s demonstrated proficiency in crafting engaging gameplay experiences. By placing the ARPG project at this site rather than consolidating efforts at a unified central hub, Riot demonstrates its commitment to distributed development practices that have generated favourable results across its range of titles. The company’s track record with League of Legends suggests audiences should anticipate a polished, mechanically sound experience whenever the ARPG finally releases. However, with the MMO also requiring substantial investment and focus, the ARPG could not launch until 2027 or later, based on development milestones and Riot’s internal priorities.
What Players Should Expect
Should the ARPG achieve completion, players can anticipate a solo or multiplayer cooperative action experience placed in the rich tapestry of Runeterra, utilising the world’s existing lore and iconic champions. The spotlight on visual character craftsmanship and combat mechanics suggests Riot intends to provide visceral, skill-based gameplay rather than a conventional dungeon crawler. Fans of character-rich action titles and those looking for a alternative take of League engagement may consider the ARPG notably attractive, providing an contrast with the competitive online multiplayer focus that has defined the franchise from the beginning.
