Riot Games seems 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 desirable qualification. Neither listing officially names the project, but the emphasis on action gameplay mechanics and Runeterra expertise clearly suggests the title will be set within the League universe. The discovery arrives as Riot keeps broadening 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 found on Riot’s jobs page reveal intriguing details about the Shanghai-based studio’s secret project. The Combat Game Designer role specifically seeks someone with extensive knowledge of action games and action RPGs, with particular emphasis on developing compelling combat feel, intuitive mechanics, and responsive artificial intelligence systems. This suggests Riot is developing something technically complex from scratch, using Unreal Engine as the core technology. The job description shows the team is still in early stages, actively iterating on core systems rather than polishing an established base.
Alongside the designer role, Riot is recruiting a CG animator experienced in stylised character work—a hiring choice that hints at the visual direction the project may take. Given League of Legends’ distinctive art style, this animator would likely help create a cohesive aesthetic for the action RPG. Whilst contract roles at this early phase typically signal 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 recruitment approach indicates the studio is building a dedicated, albeit small, core team to prototype and validate fundamental gameplay mechanics.
- Combat Game Designer role concentrates on action/ARPG mechanics development
- CG animator brings stylized character animation expertise 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 Requirements
What These Listings Demonstrate
The Combat Game Designer posting provides crucial insight into the project’s mechanical ambitions. Candidates need to show extensive knowledge in action 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, indicating Riot plans to create 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 and co-operative experiences rather than purely competitive gameplay.
The specification details outlined in the listings illustrate a systematic, process-driven production strategy. Candidates are expected 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 user experience and feedback—qualities essential to modern action RPGs. This hiring strategy indicates the Shanghai studio is not rushing to production but rather dedicating resources to testing and refining core gameplay loops before expanding operations further.
- Deep expertise in action games and ARPG game mechanics required
- Combat sensation and player feedback prioritised over mechanical balance
- AI systems development indicates likely single-player or cooperative emphasis
- Unreal chosen as primary development engine
- Early-stage prototyping stage indicates considerable time before market launch
Broadening the League of Legends World
Riot Games has consistently positioned League of Legends as the foundation of an extensive multimedia franchise, yet the company’s gaming ambitions have conventionally centred on the original MOBA title itself. The announcement of a undisclosed action RPG project in production marks a notable change in strategy, suggesting Riot aims to diversify its gaming portfolio across different gameplay styles rather than relying solely on League’s competitive ecosystem. This approach reflects successful franchises like The Elder Scrolls or Final Fantasy, where a flagship title coexists alongside supplementary titles that delve into different gameplay styles. By producing an ARPG set within Runeterra, Riot can leverage the deep storytelling and established character base whilst attracting players who prefer single-player or co-operative experiences over competitive online play.
The timing of these initiatives is especially significant given Riot’s wide-ranging franchise expansion strategy. Alongside the action RPG project, the company has poured significant investment in the long-gestating League of Legends MMO, hiring Raymond Bartos from World of Warcraft to accelerate production following a substantial restructuring in 2024. This dual-track approach suggests Riot is chasing an expansive vision for Runeterra’s digital ecosystem. Rather than going head-to-head with one another, these initiatives appear created to address different market segments—the MMO targeting persistent-world enthusiasts whilst the ARPG appeals to players looking for compelling story-based action gameplay. Together, they constitute Riot’s boldest 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 |
Schedule and Future Development
Whilst the position listings provide compelling evidence of the ARPG’s existence, Riot Games has maintained strict silence concerning an formal reveal or launch timeframe. The contract positions posted to the company’s careers page suggest the project remains in foundational development stages, suggesting it could be a considerable time from launch. Industry observers experienced in game development cycles observe that hiring for foundational roles such as Combat Game Designer commonly represents the beginning stages of production rather than an imminent release. This measured pace allows Riot to establish robust combat mechanics and gameplay systems prior to scaling the team further, a sound method given the demanding market of action RPGs.
The Shanghai studio’s involvement in this project reflects Riot’s worldwide development capabilities and the studio’s proven expertise in crafting engaging gameplay experiences. By placing the ARPG project at this facility rather than concentrating resources at a sole headquarters, Riot illustrates its dedication to decentralised development approaches that have generated favourable results across its portfolio. The company’s track record with League of Legends suggests audiences should anticipate a polished, technically proficient offering whenever the ARPG ultimately launches. However, with the MMO also consuming considerable resources and effort, the ARPG may not materialise until 2027 or later, depending on development milestones and the company’s strategic priorities.
What Players Should Expect
Should the ARPG achieve completion, players can anticipate a solo or multiplayer cooperative action experience set within the vibrant world of Runeterra, utilising the universe’s established lore and iconic champions. The spotlight on character design and gameplay feel suggests Riot seeks to create intense, mechanically demanding gameplay rather than a conventional dungeon crawler. Fans of narrative-driven action titles and those seeking a fresh approach of League engagement may consider the ARPG especially compelling, presenting an alternative to the competitive online multiplayer focus that has shaped the franchise from the beginning.
