Riot Games seems to be developing a League of Legends action RPG 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 character animator—indicate an early-stage research and development project is underway, with both roles flagging familiarity with the League of Legends IP as a desirable qualification. Whilst the company has not formally revealed the project, the postings suggest a compact team is building fighting mechanics from the ground up using Unreal Engine. The discovery comes as Riot simultaneously pushes its long-problematic League of Legends MMO into full development, signalling an ambitious expansion of the franchise throughout various game categories.
Shanghai Studio’s Hidden Venture Surfaces
The two job listings found on Riot’s careers page reveal that the Shanghai studio is hiring for an unreleased action game set within the League of Legends world. The Combat Game Designer role specifically emphasises building and iterating on combat systems from the ground up, with candidates expected to show extensive expertise of action titles and role-playing games. The position underscores the significance of combat feel, mechanics and artificial intelligence—fundamental components that would define the player experience in any action-oriented title. Meanwhile, the CG animator vacancy seeks experts in background in stylised character work, suggesting Riot intends to maintain visual consistency with League’s distinctive art direction.
Whilst neither vacancy listing explicitly identifies the project, both positions highlight League of Legends IP knowledge as a desirable skill, firmly positioning Runeterra as the probable location. The temporary structure of these roles usually points to early-stage development, meaning the action RPG could still be some time before official announcement or launch. This revelation underscores Riot’s wider approach to broaden the League franchise beyond its core MOBA game, subsequent to thriving extensions into animated series, card games and handheld applications. The parallel production of both an MMO and an action RPG demonstrates the company’s commitment to exploring different categories within the Runeterra universe.
- Action Game Designer role concentrates on action/ARPG mechanics creation
- CG animator position emphasises stylized character animation proficiency
- Project uses Unreal Engine for game development
- Contract roles indicate early-stage R&D phase currently underway
What the Position Advertisements Show
Battle Systems at the Core
The Combat Game Designer posting constitutes the cornerstone of Riot’s action RPG ambitions, with the position explicitly tasked with developing and refining combat systems from the ground up. The role specification highlights applicants require extensive experience in action games and ARPGs, with specific emphasis on how combat feels to players, the underlying mechanics that foster player engagement, and the artificial intelligence systems that control enemy actions. This level of specificity suggests Riot is not simply applying established combat systems but rather building a tailored system designed to provide a distinctive action experience in the League universe.
The emphasis on combat mechanics and feel indicates that Riot understands the vital significance of responsive, satisfying gameplay in the action role-playing genre. By recruiting specialists who are skilled at creating compelling combat mechanics, the company is indicating its plan to establish itself within a competitive landscape of action-driven games. The requirement for Unreal Engine expertise also illustrates that Riot is leveraging established industry tools to accomplish its objectives, enabling the team to focus creative energy on the game’s distinctive elements rather than developing custom tools from scratch.
Runeterra as the Plausible Setting
Although neither position announcement explicitly names the project, both postings highlight familiarity with League of Legends intellectual property as a desirable qualification, placing Runeterra squarely in the frame as the probable setting. This strategic positioning allows Riot to leverage the established narrative, cast of characters and worldbuilding that has evolved throughout various platforms, including the acclaimed animated series Arcane and the trading card game Legends of Runeterra. Leveraging established IP reduces the creative burden of world-building whilst providing players with recognisable elements that enhance immersion and commitment to the narrative.
The choice to set the action RPG in Runeterra also supports Riot’s wider strategic approach of developing linked gameplay experiences throughout various gaming genres. By tying the new project to the same universe as the MMO, the card game and the animated series, Riot creates opportunities for cross-promotion and shared narrative threads that reward engaged fans. This strategy maximises the worth of the company’s creative investments whilst establishing Runeterra as a complete entertainment hub similar to well-known franchises like The Elder Scrolls or The Witcher.
Broadening the League Universe
Riot Games’ reported work on a League of Legends action RPG represents a major broadening of the franchise’s ambitions 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 highly praised Arcane animation to the Legends of Runeterra card game. This multi-pronged strategy transforms League from a single-game franchise into a expansive entertainment platform, positioning Runeterra as a world worthy of exploration across multiple genres and platforms. The action RPG fits naturally into this expansion strategy, offering players an entirely different way to engage with the beloved intellectual property.
The timing of this development effort stands as notably noteworthy given Riot’s existing commitments to other League-connected projects. With the MMO continuing development following its 2024 reset and the hiring of former World of Warcraft lead Raymond Bartos, the company is demonstrating remarkable confidence in the franchise’s capacity to support several significant launches simultaneously. This two-project strategy mirrors proven approaches employed by leading gaming studios with sprawling universes. By developing games across varied genres in parallel, Riot can maintain player engagement through varied experiences whilst building anticipation for each individual release. The Shanghai studio’s involvement suggests the company is distributing development 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 |
- Multiple League titles in development at the same time across different studios and genres
- Runeterra setting extending through interconnected interactive experiences and media adaptations
- Well-established IP permits Riot to make use of established lore and roster of characters efficiently
Development Schedule and Outlook
The contract nature of the advertised roles suggests this action RPG remains in its early stages, probably several years before any public reveal or release. Preliminary research and development projects at major studios generally demand substantial time before achieving playable prototypes, let alone market readiness. Riot’s decision to recruit for such preliminary work indicates real dedication to investigating the ARPG category within the League universe, though restraint will be necessary from enthusiastic players. The Shanghai studio’s involvement in this initial stage enables the team to experiment with gameplay mechanics, combat design and visual direction without the burden of tight schedules or public expectations.
Looking ahead, the intersection of multiple League projects generates an compelling development landscape for Riot Games. Should both the MMO and action RPG advance favourably, the publisher could position itself as a dominant force in genre-spanning franchise development during the latter half of this decade. The recruitment of Raymond Bartos to the MMO reflects Riot’s genuine commitment in creating quality products rather than pushing products out quickly. Similarly, the deliberate, understated approach to the ARPG’s development implies the company has learned from past missteps and now emphasises sustainable, well-resourced production cycles across its portfolio of significant franchises.
