Riot Games seems 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 taking shape, with both roles flagging familiarity with the League of Legends IP as a desirable qualification. 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 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 Emerges
The two contract listings found on Riot’s jobs page unveil tantalising details about the Shanghai studio’s secret project. The Combat Game Designer role actively looks for someone with extensive knowledge of action games and ARPGs, with particular emphasis on crafting engaging combat experience, intuitive mechanics, and responsive artificial intelligence systems. This suggests Riot is building something technically complex from scratch, using Unreal Engine as the development platform. The job description shows the team is still in early stages, continuously refining core systems rather than refining an established base.
Alongside the design position, Riot is hiring 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’ unique visual aesthetic, this animator would probably help establish a cohesive aesthetic for the action RPG. Whilst temporary positions at this developmental stage typically signal 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 test and refine core gameplay concepts.
- Action Game Designer role focuses on action/ARPG mechanics development
- CG animator contributes stylized character animation knowledge to project
- Initial research and development indicates years remain before potential release
- Unreal Engine chosen as main development platform for title
Combat Mechanics and Technical Specifications
What the Job Listings Reveal
The Combat Game Designer posting provides valuable perspective into the project’s mechanical ambitions. Candidates must demonstrate deep expertise in action games and ARPGs, with particular emphasis on crafting satisfying combat feel—a defining characteristic of acclaimed games in the genre. The role explicitly requires building and iterating on combat mechanics from scratch using Unreal Engine, indicating Riot intends to develop something fundamentally distinct from League of Legends’ turn-based MOBA mechanics. The emphasis on AI development indicates the studio is building sophisticated enemy behaviour systems, possibly intended 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 individual contributions carry substantial weight. The focus on “combat feel” rather than merely mechanical balance suggests Riot places value on player sensation and responsiveness—qualities vital for contemporary action role-playing games. This hiring strategy indicates the Shanghai studio is not rushing to production but rather dedicating resources to prototyping and validating fundamental gameplay mechanics before expanding operations further.
- Extensive knowledge in action games and ARPG design mechanics required
- Combat feel and player responsiveness emphasised over balance mechanics
- Development of AI systems suggests likely single-player or cooperative focus
- Unreal Engine chosen as primary development platform
- Early-stage prototyping stage indicates years before commercial release
Broadening the League of Legends Universe
Riot Games has consistently 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 revelation of a secret action RPG in development marks a major pivot in strategy, suggesting Riot plans to diversify its game catalogue across different gameplay styles rather than depending exclusively on League’s competitive ecosystem. This approach echoes successful franchises like The Elder Scrolls or Final Fantasy, where a main entry coexists alongside spin-offs that explore different play mechanics. By creating an ARPG situated in Runeterra, Riot can tap into the deep storytelling and established character base whilst attracting players who prefer single-player or co-operative experiences over competitive online play.
The pacing of these advancements is particularly noteworthy given Riot’s broader franchise expansion efforts. Alongside the action RPG initiative, the company has poured significant investment in the long-gestating League of Legends MMO, recruiting Raymond Bartos from World of Warcraft to speed up development following a major overhaul in 2024. This parallel development path suggests Riot is chasing an expansive vision for Runeterra’s interactive landscape. Rather than going head-to-head with one another, these endeavours appear created to address different player demographics—the MMO catering to persistent-world enthusiasts whilst the ARPG appeals to players seeking compelling story-based action gameplay. Together, they represent 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 |
Project Timeline and Outlook
Whilst the job postings provide compelling evidence of the ARPG’s existence, Riot Games has preserved absolute silence about an public statement or release window. The contract positions advertised on the company’s careers page indicate the project continues in foundational development stages, suggesting it could be years distant from launch. Industry observers versed in game development cycles note that hiring for essential positions such as Combat Game Designer generally indicates the beginning stages of production rather than an imminent release. This measured pace 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 involvement in this project reflects Riot’s worldwide development capabilities and the studio’s demonstrated proficiency in creating compelling interactive experiences. By placing the ARPG project at this facility rather than concentrating resources at a sole headquarters, Riot showcases its dedication to decentralised development approaches that have generated favourable results across its portfolio. The company’s history with League of Legends suggests players can expect a polished, technically proficient offering whenever the ARPG ultimately launches. However, with the MMO also consuming considerable resources and effort, the ARPG could not launch until 2027 or afterwards, based on completion targets and the company’s strategic priorities.
What Gamers Should Be Prepared For
Should the ARPG achieve completion, players can expect a solo or multiplayer cooperative action experience placed in the vibrant world of Runeterra, drawing upon the universe’s established lore and iconic champions. The spotlight on visual character craftsmanship and gameplay feel suggests Riot aims to deliver intense, mechanically demanding gameplay rather than a straightforward dungeon crawler. Fans of narrative-driven action titles and those pursuing a different flavour of League engagement may consider the ARPG notably attractive, offering an contrast with the competitive online multiplayer focus that has shaped the franchise from the beginning.
