Riot Games seems 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—suggest an early-stage project is coming together, 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 set within the League universe. The discovery arrives as Riot keeps broadening 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 Emerges
The two contract listings found on Riot’s careers page reveal tantalising details about the Shanghai studio’s mysterious undertaking. The Combat Game Designer role actively looks for someone with deep expertise of action games and action RPGs, with specific focus on crafting compelling combat feel, responsive controls, and responsive artificial intelligence systems. This suggests Riot is building something technically complex from the ground up, utilising Unreal Engine as the development platform. The posting shows the team is still in initial phases, continuously refining fundamental mechanics rather than refining an established base.
Alongside the designer role, Riot is recruiting a CG animator experienced in stylised character work—a hiring choice that hints at the visual direction the project may take. Given League of Legends’ unique visual aesthetic, this animator would probably help establish a unified visual approach for the action RPG. Whilst contract roles at this early phase typically signal projects remain years away from launch, the combination of these two positions suggests Riot has committed meaningful resources to exploring 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.
- Action Game Designer role focuses on action-RPG systems development
- CG animator contributes stylised character animation knowledge to project
- Early-stage R&D indicates considerable time remains before potential release
- Unreal Engine chosen as primary development platform for title
Combat Mechanics and Technical Requirements
What the Job Listings Reveal
The Combat Game Designer posting provides crucial insight into the project’s mechanical ambitions. Candidates need to show deep expertise 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 mechanics from scratch using Unreal Engine, suggesting Riot plans to create something distinctly different from League of Legends’ turn-based MOBA mechanics. The emphasis on AI development indicates the studio is designing advanced enemy AI systems, possibly intended for single-player and co-operative experiences rather than exclusively competitive gameplay.
The technical requirements outlined in the listings illustrate a methodical, systems-focused development approach. Candidates are required to work within a small, early-stage team where individual contributions hold significant importance. The emphasis on “combat feel” rather than merely mechanical balance suggests Riot prioritises player sensation and responsiveness—qualities essential to modern action RPGs. This hiring strategy demonstrates the Shanghai studio is not rushing to production but rather investing time in prototyping and validating fundamental gameplay mechanics before scaling the project further.
- Strong proficiency in action and ARPG game mechanics needed
- Combat sensation and player responsiveness emphasised over mechanical balance
- AI systems development suggests likely single-player or co-op emphasis
- Unreal selected as primary technical development platform
- Early-stage prototyping phase indicates considerable time until market launch
Expanding the League of Legends Universe
Riot Games has traditionally positioned League of Legends as the centrepiece of an expansive multimedia franchise, yet the company’s game development goals have traditionally centred on the original MOBA title itself. The announcement of a secret action RPG in production marks a significant shift in strategy, suggesting Riot aims to diversify its gaming portfolio across different gameplay styles rather than depending exclusively on League’s esports infrastructure. This approach echoes established series like The Elder Scrolls or Final Fantasy, where a flagship title coexists alongside secondary games that explore different gaming experiences. By developing an ARPG situated in Runeterra, Riot can tap into the rich lore and established character base whilst appealing to players who prefer single-player or co-operative experiences over competitive multiplayer.
The pacing of these advancements is particularly noteworthy given Riot’s broader franchise expansion efforts. Alongside the action role-playing game project, the company has poured significant investment in the extended-development 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 initiatives appear created to address different market segments—the MMO serving persistent-world enthusiasts whilst the ARPG caters to players looking for compelling story-based action gameplay. 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 |
Timeframe and Growth Prospects
Whilst the position listings reveal tantalising evidence of the ARPG’s existence, Riot Games has preserved absolute silence about an formal reveal or release window. The contract positions listed on the company’s careers page suggest the project is still in early-stage research and development, implying it could be a considerable time from launch. Industry observers experienced in game development cycles observe that hiring for foundational roles such as Combat Game Designer commonly represents the beginning stages of production rather than an near-term launch. This careful tempo 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 demonstrated proficiency in crafting engaging gameplay experiences. 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 produced successful outcomes across its portfolio. The company’s track record with League of Legends suggests players can expect a refined, well-designed experience whenever the ARPG finally releases. However, with the MMO also demanding significant resources and attention, the ARPG could not launch until 2027 or beyond, contingent upon project milestones and the company’s strategic priorities.
What Gamers Should Be Prepared For
Should the ARPG be finished, players can expect a solo or multiplayer cooperative action experience situated in the expansive universe of Runeterra, leveraging the world’s existing lore and beloved champions. The emphasis on visual character craftsmanship and combat feel suggests Riot intends to provide visceral, skill-based gameplay rather than a standard dungeon crawler. Fans of narrative-driven action titles and those pursuing a alternative take of League engagement may consider the ARPG especially compelling, offering an contrast with the competitive multiplayer focus that has shaped the franchise from its launch.
