Riot Games seems to be developing a League of Legends action RPG behind closed doors, 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 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 listings found on Riot’s jobs page unveil tantalising details about the Shanghai studio’s mysterious undertaking. The Game Combat Designer role specifically seeks someone with extensive knowledge of action games and action RPGs, with specific focus on crafting compelling combat feel, responsive controls, and advanced AI systems. This suggests Riot is building something technically complex from the ground up, 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 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 cohesive aesthetic for the action RPG. Whilst temporary positions at this developmental stage typically signal 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 hiring strategy indicates the studio is building a focused though modest, core team to test and refine core gameplay concepts.
- Combat Game Designer role focuses on action-RPG systems development
- CG animator contributes stylised character animation knowledge to project
- Early-stage R&D suggests years remain before possible launch
- Unreal Engine chosen as main development platform for title
Combat Design and Technical Specifications
What the Job Listings Reveal
The Combat Game Designer posting provides valuable perspective into the project’s mechanical ambitions. Candidates must demonstrate deep expertise in action-based games and ARPGs, with particular emphasis on creating engaging combat feel—a defining characteristic of acclaimed games in the genre. The role clearly demands developing and refining on combat systems from scratch using Unreal Engine, suggesting Riot intends to develop something distinctly different from League of Legends’ turn-based MOBA mechanics. The emphasis on AI development suggests the studio is designing advanced enemy AI systems, potentially for single-player or co-operative experiences rather than purely competitive gameplay.
The specification details outlined in the listings illustrate a methodical, systems-focused production strategy. Candidates are required to work within a small, early-stage team where personal input carry substantial weight. The emphasis on “combat feel” rather than merely mechanical balance suggests Riot prioritises player sensation and responsiveness—qualities essential to contemporary action role-playing games. This recruitment approach indicates the Shanghai studio is not rushing to production but rather dedicating resources to prototyping and validating fundamental gameplay mechanics before scaling the project further.
- Extensive knowledge in action and ARPG design mechanics needed
- Combat feel and player feedback prioritised over mechanical balance
- Development of AI systems suggests potential single-player or co-op focus
- Unreal Engine chosen as main technical development engine
- Early-stage prototyping stage indicates years before market launch
Expanding the League of Legends Franchise
Riot Games has traditionally positioned League of Legends as the centrepiece of an sprawling multimedia franchise, yet the company’s game development goals have traditionally centred on the original MOBA title itself. The disclosure of a secret action RPG in production marks a notable change in strategy, suggesting Riot aims to diversify its game catalogue across multiple genres rather than relying solely on League’s competitive ecosystem. This approach reflects successful franchises like The Elder Scrolls or Final Fantasy, where a main entry coexists alongside secondary games that explore different gameplay styles. By creating an ARPG based in Runeterra, Riot can tap into the deep storytelling and established character base whilst attracting players who prefer solo or cooperative gameplay over multiplayer competition.
The scheduling of these advancements is particularly noteworthy given Riot’s wide-ranging franchise expansion strategy. Alongside the action RPG project, the company has committed substantial resources in the long-in-development League of Legends MMO, bringing on 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 competing directly with one another, these initiatives appear designed to serve different audience segments—the MMO catering to persistent-world enthusiasts whilst the ARPG serves players seeking story-driven, action-focused adventures. Together, they embody Riot’s boldest expansion of the League franchise past its MOBA foundations.
| 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 vacancy announcements offer intriguing evidence of the ARPG’s existence, Riot Games has upheld complete silence regarding an official announcement or availability date. The contract positions listed on the company’s careers page suggest the project remains in foundational development stages, indicating it could be several years away from launch. Industry observers familiar with game development cycles observe that hiring for essential positions such as Combat Game Designer typically signals the initial stages of production rather than an upcoming release. This deliberate approach allows Riot to develop strong combat mechanics and gameplay systems before expanding the team further, a sound method given the competitive landscape of action RPGs.
The Shanghai studio’s involvement in this initiative reflects Riot’s global development infrastructure and the studio’s demonstrated proficiency in creating compelling interactive experiences. By situating the ARPG project at this facility rather than centralising operations at a sole headquarters, Riot showcases its support for distributed team structures that have generated favourable results across its portfolio. The company’s experience developing League of Legends suggests players can expect a refined, well-designed 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 project milestones and Riot’s resource allocation decisions.
What Players Should Expect
Should the ARPG achieve completion, players can look forward to a single-player or co-operative action experience situated in the vibrant world of Runeterra, drawing upon the world’s existing lore and iconic champions. The spotlight on character design and combat mechanics suggests Riot aims to deliver intense, mechanically demanding gameplay rather than a straightforward dungeon crawler. Fans of story-focused action titles and those pursuing a fresh approach of League engagement may find the ARPG particularly appealing, providing an alternative to the competitive online multiplayer focus that has characterised the franchise since its inception.
