Riot Games seems to be developing a League of Legends action RPG behind closed doors, 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—suggest an early-stage project is taking shape, 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 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 Confidential Initiative Comes to Light
The two contract listings found on Riot’s careers page unveil tantalising details about the Shanghai-based studio’s mysterious undertaking. The Combat Game Designer role specifically seeks someone with deep expertise of action games and action RPGs, with specific focus on developing compelling combat feel, intuitive mechanics, and advanced AI systems. This suggests 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, continuously refining fundamental mechanics 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’ distinctive art style, this animator would likely help establish a cohesive aesthetic for the action RPG. Whilst contract roles at this developmental stage typically signal projects remain years away from launch, the pairing of these roles suggests Riot has invested significant effort to investigating what an action-focused League experience might entail. The hiring strategy indicates the studio is assembling a focused though modest, core team to prototype and validate core gameplay concepts.
- Combat Game Designer role concentrates on action/ARPG mechanics development
- CG animator contributes stylised character animation expertise to project
- Initial research and development suggests years remain before possible launch
- Unreal Engine selected as main development platform for title
Combat Design and Technical Specifications
What Job Postings Show
The Combat Game Designer job listing offers valuable perspective into the project’s mechanical ambitions. Candidates must demonstrate extensive knowledge in action games and ARPGs, with particular emphasis on creating engaging 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, indicating Riot intends to develop something fundamentally distinct from League of Legends’ turn-based MOBA mechanics. The focus on AI development indicates the studio is designing sophisticated enemy behaviour systems, potentially for single-player or co-operative experiences rather than purely competitive gameplay.
The technical requirements presented within the listings reveal a methodical, systems-focused production strategy. Candidates are required to work within a compact, nascent team where individual contributions carry substantial weight. The focus on “combat feel” rather than merely mechanical balance indicates Riot prioritises user experience and feedback—qualities essential to contemporary action role-playing games. This recruitment approach demonstrates the Shanghai studio is not rushing to production but rather investing time in prototyping and validating core gameplay loops before scaling the project further.
- Extensive knowledge in action games and ARPG game mechanics needed
- Combat sensation and player feedback prioritised over mechanical balance
- AI systems development indicates potential single-player or cooperative emphasis
- Unreal Engine chosen as main development platform
- Early prototyping phase suggests years until commercial release
Growing the League of Legends Franchise
Riot Games has long positioned League of Legends as the centrepiece of an extensive multimedia franchise, yet the company’s game development goals have historically centred on the original MOBA title itself. The announcement of a undisclosed action RPG project in development marks a significant shift in strategy, suggesting Riot plans to diversify its game catalogue across different gameplay styles rather than relying solely on League’s esports infrastructure. This approach mirrors successful franchises like The Elder Scrolls or Final Fantasy, where a flagship title coexists alongside spin-offs that explore different play mechanics. By producing an ARPG situated in Runeterra, Riot can capitalise on the deep storytelling and established character base whilst reaching players who prefer solo or cooperative gameplay over competitive multiplayer.
The pacing of these developments is notably important given Riot’s broader franchise expansion efforts. Alongside the action RPG project, the company has committed substantial resources in the long-gestating League of Legends MMO, bringing on Raymond Bartos from World of Warcraft to expedite the production process following a major overhaul in 2024. This dual-track approach suggests Riot is chasing an expansive vision for Runeterra’s digital ecosystem. Rather than directly competing with one another, these endeavours appear designed to serve different market segments—the MMO targeting persistent-world enthusiasts whilst the ARPG serves players looking for story-driven, action-focused adventures. Together, they represent Riot’s most aggressive expansion of the League franchise past its MOBA foundations.
| 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 vacancy announcements provide compelling evidence of the ARPG’s existence, Riot Games has upheld complete silence regarding an official announcement or availability date. The contract positions listed on the company’s careers page point to the project continues in foundational development stages, indicating it could be a considerable time from launch. Industry observers experienced in game development cycles note that hiring for core positions such as Combat Game Designer typically signals the early phases of production rather than an near-term launch. This deliberate approach allows Riot to establish robust combat mechanics and gameplay systems before expanding the team further, a practical strategy given the demanding market of action RPGs.
The Shanghai studio’s participation in this initiative reflects Riot’s global development infrastructure and the studio’s established track record in crafting engaging gameplay experiences. By placing the ARPG project at this location rather than concentrating resources at a unified central hub, Riot illustrates its dedication to decentralised development approaches that have yielded positive results across its portfolio. The company’s experience developing League of Legends suggests players can expect a polished, mechanically sound experience whenever the ARPG finally releases. However, with the MMO also demanding significant resources and attention, the ARPG might not arrive until 2027 or later, contingent upon completion targets and the company’s strategic priorities.
What Participants Should Anticipate
Should the ARPG achieve completion, players can look forward to a solo or multiplayer cooperative action experience placed in the expansive universe of Runeterra, leveraging the universe’s established lore and beloved champions. The focus on character design and combat feel suggests Riot seeks to create visceral, skill-based gameplay rather than a straightforward dungeon crawler. Fans of character-rich action titles and those pursuing a fresh approach of League engagement may consider the ARPG especially compelling, offering an departure from the pvp-focused focus that has characterised the franchise since its inception.
