Riot Games seems to be developing a League of Legends action role-playing game in secret, according to recently discovered job listings published on the company’s careers page. Two contract positions at Riot’s Shanghai studio—one for a Combat Systems Designer and another for a CG animator—indicate an early-stage research and development project is in progress, with both roles flagging familiarity with the League of Legends IP as a preferred requirement. Whilst the company has not officially announced the project, the postings indicate a compact team is building fighting mechanics from the beginning using Unreal Engine. The discovery comes as Riot simultaneously pushes its long-problematic League of Legends MMO into active production, signalling an ambitious expansion of the franchise throughout various game categories.
Shanghai Studio’s Secret Project Surfaces
The two job listings discovered on Riot’s careers page reveal that the Shanghai studio is actively recruiting for an unreleased action game set within the League of Legends universe. The Combat Game Designer role particularly highlights developing and refining combat systems from the ground up, with candidates required to show extensive expertise of action games and ARPGs. The position underscores the significance of combat feel, game mechanics and AI—core elements that would define the player experience in any action-oriented title. Meanwhile, the CG animator position seeks professionals with background in stylised character work, suggesting Riot intends to preserve visual coherence with League’s distinctive art direction.
Whilst neither vacancy listing explicitly names the project, both positions emphasise League of Legends IP understanding as a bonus qualification, clearly establishing Runeterra as the expected backdrop. The temporary structure of these roles usually points to preliminary creation stages, meaning the action role-playing game could still be some time before public reveal or release. This finding highlights Riot’s overarching plan to diversify the League brand away from its main MOBA game, after periods of successful expansions into animated series, trading card games and handheld applications. The concurrent creation of both an MMO and an action role-playing game demonstrates the company’s commitment to investigating various game types within the Runeterra universe.
- Action Game Designer role focuses on action/ARPG mechanics development
- CG animator position highlights stylized character animation expertise
- Project uses Unreal Engine for game creation
- Contract roles suggest early-stage research and development phase currently underway
What the Position Advertisements Disclose
Combat Systems at the Heart
The Combat Game Designer posting represents the cornerstone of Riot’s action RPG ambitions, with the position directly charged with developing and refining combat systems from the ground up. The job description stresses applicants require extensive experience in action games and action RPGs, with particular focus on the player experience of combat, the underlying mechanics that foster player engagement, and the artificial intelligence systems that govern enemy behaviour. This level of specificity indicates Riot is not merely implementing established combat systems but rather building a tailored system designed to provide a distinctive action experience in the League universe.
The focus on combat mechanics and feel suggests that Riot acknowledges the critical importance of engaging, responsive gameplay in the action role-playing genre. By hiring experts who are skilled at creating immersive combat systems, the company is demonstrating its commitment to establish itself within a competitive landscape of action-focused titles. The need for Unreal Engine proficiency additionally shows that Riot is employing industry-standard technology to accomplish its objectives, permitting the developers to focus creative energy on what sets the game apart rather than creating bespoke solutions from scratch.
Runeterra as the Probable Backdrop
Although neither position announcement explicitly names the project, both postings highlight familiarity with League of Legends IP as a desirable qualification, placing Runeterra squarely in the frame as the likely backdrop. This strategic positioning allows Riot to leverage the established narrative, cast of characters and world creation that has evolved throughout various platforms, including the award-winning animation Arcane and the collectible card game Legends of Runeterra. Leveraging established IP reduces the creative burden of world-building whilst providing players with recognisable elements that deepen engagement and investment in the narrative.
The decision to place the action RPG in Runeterra also supports Riot’s wider strategic approach of developing interconnected experiences across different gaming genres. By tying the new project to the identical universe as the MMO, the card game and the animated series, Riot creates opportunities for cross-promotional activities and interconnected storylines that satisfy dedicated players. This approach maximises the value of the company’s creative investments whilst positioning Runeterra as a complete entertainment hub similar to established franchises like The Elder Scrolls or The Witcher.
Broadening the League Universe
Riot Games’ apparent development of a League of Legends action RPG constitutes a major broadening of the franchise’s aspirations beyond its beginnings as a competitive multiplayer online battle arena. The company has been progressively expanding the League universe through varied entertainment formats and gaming offerings, from the critically acclaimed Arcane animation to the Legends of Runeterra card game. This multi-pronged strategy converts League from a standalone game property into a expansive entertainment platform, positioning Runeterra as a world worthy of exploration throughout multiple different genres and mediums. The action RPG integrates seamlessly into this growth plan, providing players an entirely different way to interact with the cherished game world.
The scheduling of this development effort stands as especially noteworthy given Riot’s current obligations to other League-connected projects. With the MMO continuing development following its 2024 reset and the hiring of ex-World of Warcraft director Raymond Bartos, the company is displaying remarkable confidence in the franchise’s ability to support several significant launches simultaneously. This two-project strategy mirrors proven approaches employed by leading gaming studios with sprawling universes. By creating titles across different genres in parallel, Riot can sustain player interest through diverse gameplay whilst generating excitement for each individual release. The Shanghai studio’s involvement suggests the company is allocating resources strategically across its global operations.
| Project | Status |
|---|---|
| League of Legends MMO | Active production with new leadership |
| Action RPG (Unannounced) | Early-stage R&D at Shanghai studio |
| Arcane animated series | Established franchise component |
| Legends of Runeterra card game | Ongoing live service title |
- Various League initiatives in development at the same time across different studios and categories
- Runeterra universe expanding through interconnected gaming experiences and media adaptations
- Established IP permits Riot to leverage established lore and character rosters successfully
Timeline and Future Outlook
The contractual status of the posted positions suggests this action RPG remains in its infancy, likely years away from any official announcement or release. Preliminary research and development projects at large development houses typically require considerable duration before achieving playable prototypes, let alone commercial viability. Riot’s decision to recruit for such preliminary work indicates real dedication to investigating the ARPG genre within the League universe, though patience will be required from eager fans. The Shanghai studio’s involvement in this initial stage enables the team to experiment with gameplay mechanics, combat design and visual direction without the pressure of tight schedules or audience demands.
Looking ahead, the convergence of multiple League projects establishes an fascinating development landscape for Riot Games. Should both the MMO and action RPG develop as planned, the publisher could position itself as a dominant force in genre-spanning franchise development across the latter half of this decade. The appointment of Raymond Bartos to the MMO underscores Riot’s genuine commitment in creating quality products rather than rushing products to market. Similarly, the careful, measured approach to the ARPG’s development implies the company has moved beyond previous failures and now focuses on sustainable, well-resourced production cycles within its portfolio of ambitious titles.
