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—indicate 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 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 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 postings found on Riot’s jobs page reveal intriguing details about the Shanghai studio’s secret project. The Combat Game Designer role actively looks for someone with deep expertise of action games and ARPGs, with specific focus on developing engaging combat experience, intuitive mechanics, and advanced AI systems. This indicates Riot is developing something mechanically sophisticated from scratch, using Unreal Engine as the development platform. The job description indicates the team is still in early stages, actively iterating on core systems rather than polishing an existing foundation.
Alongside the design position, Riot is hiring a CG animator with expertise in stylised character work—a recruitment decision that hints at the artistic trajectory the project may take. Given League of Legends’ distinctive art style, this animator would likely help create a cohesive aesthetic for the action RPG. Whilst contract roles at this early phase generally indicate projects remain years away from launch, the combination of these two positions 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 test and refine fundamental gameplay mechanics.
- Action Game Designer role focuses on action/ARPG mechanics development
- CG animator brings stylised character animation knowledge to project
- Initial research and development suggests years remain 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 job listing offers crucial insight into the project’s mechanical ambitions. Candidates need to show deep expertise in action games and ARPGs, with specific focus on creating engaging combat feel—a hallmark of acclaimed games in the genre. The role clearly demands developing and refining 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 emphasis on AI development indicates the studio is designing sophisticated enemy behaviour systems, potentially for single-player and co-operative experiences rather than exclusively competitive gameplay.
The specification details outlined in the listings reveal a systematic, process-driven development approach. Candidates are expected to work within a small, early-stage team where personal input carry substantial weight. The emphasis on “combat feel” rather than merely mechanical balance indicates Riot prioritises user experience and feedback—qualities critical to contemporary action role-playing games. This hiring strategy indicates the Shanghai studio is not rushing to production but rather investing time in testing and refining core gameplay loops before scaling the project further.
- Strong proficiency in action games and ARPG design mechanics required
- Combat feel and player feedback prioritised over mechanical balance
- AI systems development points to potential single-player or co-op focus
- Unreal Engine selected as main technical development platform
- Early-stage prototyping stage suggests considerable time before market launch
Broadening the League of Legends Franchise
Riot Games has consistently positioned League of Legends as the foundation of an expansive multimedia franchise, yet the company’s game development goals have traditionally centred on the original MOBA title itself. The revelation of a undisclosed action RPG project in development marks a major pivot in strategy, suggesting Riot plans to diversify its game catalogue across various genres rather than relying solely on League’s competitive ecosystem. This approach echoes successful franchises like The Elder Scrolls or Final Fantasy, where a flagship title coexists alongside secondary games that venture into different gaming experiences. By producing an ARPG based in Runeterra, Riot can leverage the rich lore and established character base whilst appealing to players who prefer single-player or co-operative experiences over multiplayer competition.
The timing of these advancements is notably important given Riot’s broader franchise expansion efforts. Alongside the action RPG initiative, the company has invested heavily in the long-in-development League of Legends MMO, recruiting Raymond Bartos from World of Warcraft to accelerate production following a major overhaul in 2024. This dual-track approach suggests Riot is chasing an expansive vision for Runeterra’s interactive landscape. Rather than going head-to-head with one another, these endeavours appear intended to cater to different audience segments—the MMO targeting persistent-world enthusiasts whilst the ARPG appeals to players pursuing story-driven, action-focused adventures. 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 |
Timeframe and Growth Prospects
Whilst the vacancy announcements provide compelling evidence of the ARPG’s existence, Riot Games has maintained strict silence concerning an public statement or release window. The contract positions advertised on the company’s careers page suggest the project is still in early-stage research and development, suggesting it could be a considerable time from launch. Industry observers familiar with game development cycles point out that hiring for foundational roles such as Combat Game Designer commonly represents the early phases of production rather than an upcoming release. This measured pace allows Riot to develop strong combat mechanics and gameplay systems before expanding the team further, a sound method given the demanding market of action RPGs.
The Shanghai studio’s participation in this project reflects Riot’s global development infrastructure and the studio’s established track record in developing immersive gameplay. By positioning the ARPG project at this site rather than consolidating efforts at a unified central hub, 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 refined, well-designed experience whenever the ARPG ultimately launches. However, with the MMO also requiring substantial investment and focus, the ARPG may not materialise until 2027 or later, depending on completion targets and Riot’s internal priorities.
What Gamers Should Be Prepared For
Should the ARPG reach completion, players can expect a single-player or co-operative action experience placed in the vibrant world of Runeterra, leveraging the world’s existing lore and iconic champions. The spotlight on stylised character work 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 different flavour of League engagement may consider the ARPG particularly appealing, presenting an contrast with the competitive online multiplayer focus that has defined the franchise since its inception.
