Riot Games appears 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 coming together, with both roles highlighting familiarity with the League of Legends IP as a desirable qualification. Neither listing officially names 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 Secret Project Emerges
The two contract listings found on Riot’s careers page reveal tantalising details about the Shanghai-based studio’s secret project. The Combat Game Designer role specifically seeks someone with extensive knowledge of action games and ARPGs, with specific focus on developing compelling combat feel, intuitive mechanics, and advanced AI systems. This indicates Riot is building something technically complex from the ground up, utilising Unreal Engine as the core technology. The posting shows the team is still in early stages, actively iterating on core systems rather than polishing an existing foundation.
Alongside the design position, Riot is recruiting 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 create a unified visual approach 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 dedicated, albeit small, core team to prototype and validate core gameplay concepts.
- Action Game Designer role focuses on action/ARPG mechanics development
- CG animator brings stylized character animation knowledge to project
- Initial research and development suggests years remain before potential release
- Unreal Engine chosen as main development platform for title
Combat Design and Technical Requirements
What These Listings Demonstrate
The Combat Game Designer job listing offers crucial insight into the project’s mechanical ambitions. Candidates need to show deep expertise in action-based games and ARPGs, with particular emphasis on creating engaging combat feel—a hallmark of successful titles in the genre. The role clearly demands building and iterating on combat mechanics from scratch using Unreal Engine, suggesting Riot intends to develop something distinctly different from League of Legends’ turn-based MOBA mechanics. The focus on AI development indicates the studio is designing advanced enemy AI systems, potentially for single-player or co-operative experiences rather than purely competitive gameplay.
The specification details presented within the listings illustrate a methodical, systems-focused production strategy. Candidates are required to work within a small, early-stage team where individual contributions hold significant importance. The emphasis on “combat feel” rather than simply mechanical balance suggests Riot prioritises user experience and feedback—qualities vital for modern action RPGs. 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.
- Deep expertise in action and ARPG game mechanics required
- Combat feel and player responsiveness given priority over mechanical balance
- AI systems development suggests likely single-player or cooperative emphasis
- Unreal selected as primary development platform
- Early-stage prototyping phase indicates years before market launch
Expanding the League of Legends Universe
Riot Games has long positioned League of Legends as the centrepiece of an sprawling multimedia franchise, yet the company’s gaming ambitions have historically centred on the original MOBA title itself. The disclosure of a secret action RPG in development marks a significant shift in strategy, suggesting Riot aims to diversify its game catalogue across various genres rather than depending exclusively on League’s esports infrastructure. This approach reflects successful franchises like The Elder Scrolls or Final Fantasy, where a flagship title coexists alongside supplementary titles that explore different play mechanics. By developing an ARPG based in Runeterra, Riot can tap into the extensive mythology and established character base whilst reaching players who prefer solo or cooperative gameplay over competitive multiplayer.
The pacing of these developments is especially significant given Riot’s wide-ranging franchise expansion strategy. Alongside the action RPG project, the company has committed substantial resources in the extended-development League of Legends MMO, hiring Raymond Bartos from World of Warcraft to expedite the production process following a substantial restructuring in 2024. This parallel development path suggests Riot is working towards an ambitious vision for Runeterra’s interactive landscape. Rather than going head-to-head with one another, these projects appear created to address different player demographics—the MMO targeting persistent-world enthusiasts whilst the ARPG appeals to players looking for story-driven, action-focused adventures. Together, they constitute Riot’s most aggressive expansion 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 maintained strict silence concerning an public statement or release window. The contract positions listed on the company’s careers page point to the project remains in early-stage research and development, implying it could be several years away from launch. Industry observers familiar with game development cycles point out that hiring for essential positions such as Combat Game Designer commonly represents the early phases of production rather than an near-term launch. This deliberate approach allows Riot to create solid combat mechanics and gameplay systems before expanding the team further, a sensible approach given the demanding market of action RPGs.
The Shanghai studio’s involvement in this endeavour reflects Riot’s worldwide development capabilities and the studio’s established track record in developing immersive gameplay. By positioning the ARPG project at this facility rather than concentrating resources at a single headquarters, Riot illustrates its support for distributed team structures that have produced successful outcomes across its portfolio. The company’s history with League of Legends suggests gamers will receive a polished, technically proficient offering whenever the ARPG eventually emerges. However, with the MMO also requiring substantial investment and focus, the ARPG could not launch until 2027 or later, depending on project milestones and the company’s strategic priorities.
What Participants Should Anticipate
Should the ARPG be finished, players can look forward to a solo or multiplayer cooperative action experience placed in the expansive universe of Runeterra, leveraging the universe’s established lore and iconic champions. The spotlight on character design and gameplay feel suggests Riot intends to provide visceral, skill-based gameplay rather than a straightforward dungeon crawler. Fans of narrative-driven action titles and those pursuing a different flavour of League engagement may find the ARPG notably attractive, presenting an contrast with the competitive multiplayer focus that has characterised the franchise from its launch.
