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 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 arrives 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 Emerges
The two contract listings discovered on Riot’s careers page unveil intriguing details about the Shanghai studio’s secret project. The Game Combat Designer role specifically seeks someone with extensive knowledge of action games and action RPGs, with particular emphasis on crafting engaging combat experience, intuitive mechanics, and advanced AI systems. This suggests Riot is developing something technically complex from the ground up, using Unreal Engine as the core technology. The posting shows the team is still in initial phases, continuously refining core systems rather than refining an established base.
Alongside the designer role, Riot is hiring a CG animator with expertise 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 likely help establish a unified visual approach for the action RPG. Whilst temporary positions at this developmental stage generally indicate projects remain some distance from launch, the pairing of these roles suggests Riot has committed meaningful resources to investigating what an action-focused League experience might entail. The recruitment approach 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-RPG systems development
- CG animator brings stylised character animation knowledge to project
- Initial research and development suggests considerable time remains before possible launch
- Unreal Engine selected 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 extensive knowledge in action-based games and ARPGs, with particular emphasis on creating engaging combat feel—a hallmark of acclaimed games in the genre. The role explicitly requires building and iterating on combat mechanics from scratch using Unreal Engine, indicating Riot plans to create something distinctly different from League of Legends’ turn-based MOBA mechanics. The focus on AI development suggests the studio is designing advanced enemy AI systems, potentially for single-player or co-operative experiences rather than purely competitive gameplay.
The technical requirements outlined in the listings paint a picture of a methodical, systems-focused development approach. Candidates are required to work within a small, early-stage team where personal input carry substantial weight. The focus on “combat feel” rather than simply mechanical balance indicates Riot places value on player sensation and responsiveness—qualities vital for modern action RPGs. This recruitment approach 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.
- Deep expertise in action games and ARPG game mechanics required
- Combat feel and player feedback prioritised over balance mechanics
- AI systems development points to likely single-player or cooperative focus
- Unreal chosen as main technical development engine
- Early-stage prototyping phase indicates considerable time before market launch
Broadening the League of Legends World
Riot Games has long positioned League of Legends as the cornerstone 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 significant shift in strategy, suggesting Riot intends to diversify its game catalogue across multiple genres rather than depending exclusively on League’s esports infrastructure. This approach echoes successful franchises like The Elder Scrolls or Final Fantasy, where a flagship title coexists alongside supplementary titles that venture into different play mechanics. By developing an ARPG set within Runeterra, Riot can leverage the rich lore and established character base whilst reaching players who prefer single-player or co-operative experiences over competitive multiplayer.
The pacing of these developments is notably important given Riot’s extensive franchise growth plans. 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 expedite the production process following a significant reset in 2024. This two-pronged strategy suggests Riot is chasing an expansive vision for Runeterra’s digital ecosystem. Rather than directly competing with one another, these projects appear intended to cater to different audience segments—the MMO targeting persistent-world enthusiasts whilst the ARPG serves players looking for compelling story-based action gameplay. Together, they represent 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 |
Timeline and Development Outlook
Whilst the job postings provide compelling evidence of the ARPG’s existence, Riot Games has preserved absolute silence concerning an official announcement or launch timeframe. The contract positions posted to the company’s careers page point to the project remains in early-stage research and development, suggesting it could be a considerable time from launch. Industry observers versed in game development cycles note that hiring for essential positions such as Combat Game Designer typically signals the initial stages of production rather than an upcoming release. This careful tempo allows Riot to establish robust combat mechanics and gameplay systems before expanding the team further, a sensible approach given the intense competition of action RPGs.
The Shanghai studio’s contribution in this endeavour reflects Riot’s global development infrastructure and the studio’s demonstrated proficiency in developing immersive gameplay. By placing the ARPG project at this location rather than concentrating resources at a single headquarters, Riot illustrates its dedication to decentralised development approaches that have produced successful outcomes across its range of titles. The company’s history with League of Legends suggests gamers will receive a polished, technically proficient offering whenever the ARPG finally releases. However, with the MMO also demanding significant resources and attention, the ARPG may not materialise until 2027 or later, based on completion targets and the company’s strategic priorities.
What Participants Should Anticipate
Should the ARPG reach completion, players can anticipate a solo or multiplayer cooperative action experience set within the rich tapestry of Runeterra, drawing upon the world’s existing lore and fan-favourite champions. The emphasis on character design and gameplay feel suggests Riot seeks to create visceral, skill-based gameplay rather than a conventional dungeon crawler. Fans of narrative-driven action titles and those seeking a different flavour 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.
