Riot Games appears to be developing a League of Legends action RPG in secret, 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 sought-after requirement. Neither listing officially names the project, but the emphasis on action gameplay mechanics and Runeterra expertise strongly indicates the title will be situated in 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 Secret Project Comes to Light
The two contract postings discovered on Riot’s careers page reveal tantalising details about the Shanghai-based studio’s secret project. The Combat Game Designer role actively looks for someone with extensive knowledge of action games and action RPGs, with particular emphasis on crafting compelling combat feel, intuitive mechanics, and advanced AI systems. This suggests Riot is developing something mechanically sophisticated from scratch, using Unreal Engine as the development platform. The posting indicates the team is still in early stages, actively iterating on core systems rather than polishing an established base.
Alongside the design position, Riot is recruiting 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’ unique visual aesthetic, this animator would likely help create a unified visual approach for the action RPG. Whilst contract roles at this developmental stage generally indicate projects remain some distance from launch, the pairing of these roles suggests Riot has committed meaningful resources to exploring what an action-focused League experience might entail. The recruitment approach indicates the studio is assembling a dedicated, albeit small, core team to test and refine core gameplay concepts.
- Action Game Designer role concentrates on action-RPG systems development
- CG animator contributes stylised character animation knowledge to project
- Early-stage R&D indicates years remain before potential release
- Unreal Engine selected as main development platform for title
Combat Design and Technical Specifications
What the Job Listings Reveal
The Combat Game Designer job listing provides crucial insight into the project’s mechanical ambitions. Candidates must demonstrate extensive knowledge in action-based games and ARPGs, with particular emphasis on crafting satisfying combat feel—a defining characteristic of acclaimed games in the genre. The role clearly demands building and iterating on combat mechanics 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, possibly intended for single-player or co-operative experiences rather than exclusively competitive gameplay.
The specification details 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 emphasis on “combat feel” rather than merely mechanical balance indicates Riot prioritises player sensation and responsiveness—qualities critical to contemporary action role-playing games. This hiring strategy demonstrates the Shanghai studio is not rushing to production but rather investing time in testing and refining fundamental gameplay mechanics before expanding operations further.
- Deep expertise in action games and ARPG design mechanics needed
- Combat feel and player responsiveness given priority over mechanical balance
- AI systems development suggests potential single-player or cooperative emphasis
- Unreal chosen as main development engine
- Early-stage prototyping phase indicates considerable time before commercial release
Growing the League of Legends Universe
Riot Games has long positioned League of Legends as the centrepiece of an expansive multimedia franchise, yet the company’s game development goals have traditionally centred on the original MOBA title itself. The disclosure of a undisclosed action RPG project in production marks a major pivot in strategy, suggesting Riot aims to diversify its game catalogue across different gameplay styles rather than relying solely on League’s competitive ecosystem. This approach echoes established series like The Elder Scrolls or Final Fantasy, where a flagship title coexists alongside supplementary titles that venture into different gaming experiences. By creating an ARPG based in Runeterra, Riot can leverage the deep storytelling and established character base whilst appealing to players who prefer single-player or co-operative experiences over multiplayer competition.
The pacing of these advancements is especially significant given Riot’s extensive franchise growth plans. Alongside the action role-playing game project, the company has poured significant investment in the long-in-development League of Legends MMO, recruiting Raymond Bartos from World of Warcraft to expedite the production process following a major overhaul in 2024. This parallel development path suggests Riot is pursuing an ambitious vision for Runeterra’s digital ecosystem. Rather than directly competing with one another, these initiatives appear designed to serve different player demographics—the MMO targeting persistent-world enthusiasts whilst the ARPG caters to players seeking story-driven, action-focused adventures. Together, they embody 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 |
Timeframe and Growth Prospects
Whilst the vacancy announcements offer intriguing evidence of the ARPG’s existence, Riot Games has upheld complete silence about an official announcement or launch timeframe. The contract positions advertised on the company’s careers page point to the project continues in initial R&D phases, indicating it could be several years away from launch. Industry observers familiar with game development cycles observe that hiring for core positions such as Combat Game Designer generally indicates the early phases of production rather than an imminent release. This deliberate approach allows Riot to develop strong combat mechanics and gameplay systems ahead of growing the team further, a sound method given the competitive landscape of action RPGs.
The Shanghai studio’s involvement 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 location rather than centralising operations at a single headquarters, Riot demonstrates its commitment to distributed development practices that have produced successful outcomes across its range of titles. The company’s track record with League of Legends suggests players can expect a polished, mechanically sound experience whenever the ARPG finally releases. However, with the MMO also requiring substantial investment and focus, the ARPG may not materialise until 2027 or later, contingent upon completion targets and Riot’s internal priorities.
What Gamers Should Be Prepared For
Should the ARPG achieve completion, players can anticipate a solo or multiplayer cooperative action experience set within the rich tapestry of Runeterra, drawing upon the universe’s established lore and fan-favourite champions. The spotlight on character design and gameplay feel suggests Riot aims to deliver intense, mechanically demanding gameplay rather than a standard dungeon crawler. Fans of character-rich action titles and those looking for a alternative take of League engagement may consider the ARPG notably attractive, presenting an alternative to the competitive online multiplayer focus that has characterised the franchise from its launch.
