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 coming together, with both roles highlighting 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 strongly indicates the title will be set within the League universe. The discovery comes 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 Comes to Light
The two contract postings discovered on Riot’s careers page reveal tantalising details about the Shanghai studio’s secret project. The Combat Game Designer role specifically seeks someone with extensive knowledge of action games and ARPGs, with specific focus on crafting compelling combat feel, responsive controls, and responsive artificial intelligence systems. This indicates Riot is developing something mechanically sophisticated from scratch, utilising Unreal Engine as the development platform. The posting indicates the team is still in initial phases, continuously refining fundamental mechanics rather than refining an existing foundation.
Alongside the designer role, Riot is hiring a CG animator experienced in stylised character work—a recruitment decision that hints at the artistic trajectory the project may take. Given League of Legends’ unique visual aesthetic, this animator would probably help create a unified visual approach for the action RPG. Whilst contract roles at this early phase generally indicate projects remain some distance from launch, the pairing of these roles 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 core gameplay concepts.
- Combat Game Designer role concentrates on action-RPG systems development
- CG animator brings stylized character animation expertise to project
- Early-stage R&D indicates years remain before potential release
- Unreal Engine chosen as main 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 must demonstrate deep expertise in action-based games and ARPGs, with specific focus on crafting satisfying combat feel—a defining characteristic of successful titles in the genre. The role clearly demands developing and refining on combat systems from scratch using Unreal Engine, suggesting Riot intends to develop something fundamentally distinct from League of Legends’ turn-based MOBA mechanics. The emphasis on AI development indicates the studio is building advanced enemy AI systems, potentially for single-player and co-operative experiences rather than purely competitive gameplay.
The technical requirements presented within the listings illustrate a methodical, systems-focused development approach. Candidates are required to work within a small, early-stage team where personal input hold significant importance. The focus on “combat feel” rather than simply mechanical balance indicates Riot prioritises user experience and feedback—qualities essential to modern action RPGs. This hiring strategy demonstrates the Shanghai studio is not rushing to production but rather investing time in testing and refining core gameplay loops before scaling the project further.
- Deep expertise in action games and ARPG game mechanics required
- Combat sensation and player feedback given priority over mechanical balance
- Development of AI systems points to potential single-player or cooperative emphasis
- Unreal Engine chosen as primary technical development engine
- Early prototyping phase suggests years until market launch
Broadening the League of Legends World
Riot Games has long positioned League of Legends as the foundation of an expansive 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 production marks a major pivot in strategy, suggesting Riot intends to diversify its game catalogue across different gameplay styles rather than depending exclusively on League’s competitive ecosystem. This approach reflects established series like The Elder Scrolls or Final Fantasy, where a flagship title coexists alongside secondary games that delve into different play mechanics. By creating an ARPG situated in Runeterra, Riot can capitalise on the extensive mythology and established character base whilst appealing to players who prefer single-player or co-operative experiences over multiplayer competition.
The timing of these initiatives is notably important given Riot’s wide-ranging franchise expansion strategy. Alongside the action role-playing game project, the company has invested heavily in the long-gestating League of Legends MMO, recruiting Raymond Bartos from World of Warcraft to speed up development following a substantial restructuring in 2024. This two-pronged strategy suggests Riot is chasing an expansive vision for Runeterra’s digital ecosystem. Rather than going head-to-head with one another, these initiatives appear intended to cater to different audience segments—the MMO catering to persistent-world enthusiasts whilst the ARPG serves players seeking narrative-driven action experiences. Together, they represent Riot’s most aggressive 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 |
Project Timeline and Outlook
Whilst the job postings offer intriguing evidence of the ARPG’s existence, Riot Games has preserved absolute silence about an official announcement or release window. The contract positions advertised on the company’s careers page indicate the project is still in initial R&D phases, implying it could be a considerable time from launch. Industry observers experienced in game development cycles point out that hiring for foundational roles such as Combat Game Designer typically signals the beginning stages of production rather than an upcoming release. This careful tempo 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 placing the ARPG project at this site rather than concentrating resources at a unified central hub, 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 audiences should anticipate a polished, technically proficient offering whenever the ARPG eventually emerges. However, with the MMO also demanding significant resources and attention, the ARPG could not launch until 2027 or later, based on completion targets and the company’s strategic priorities.
What Participants Should Anticipate
Should the ARPG be finished, players can anticipate a solo or multiplayer cooperative action experience situated in the expansive universe of Runeterra, utilising the world’s existing lore and iconic champions. The focus on character design and combat mechanics suggests Riot intends to provide intense, mechanically demanding gameplay rather than a standard dungeon crawler. Fans of story-focused action titles and those looking for a alternative take of League engagement may consider the ARPG notably attractive, providing an alternative to the competitive multiplayer focus that has shaped the franchise since its inception.
