Riot Games appears to be developing a League of Legends action RPG in secret, based on newly uncovered job listings posted to the company’s recruitment page. Two contract positions at Riot’s Shanghai studio—one for a Combat Game Designer and another for a character animator—indicate an early-stage research and development project is in progress, with both roles flagging familiarity with the League of Legends IP as a desirable qualification. Whilst the company has not officially announced the project, the postings indicate a small team is building combat systems 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 across multiple gaming genres.
Shanghai Studio’s Hidden Venture Comes to Light
The two contract postings found on Riot’s recruitment 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 developing and refining combat systems from scratch, with candidates required to demonstrate deep knowledge of action games and ARPGs. The position highlights the importance of combat feel, mechanics and artificial intelligence—fundamental components that would shape how players engage in any action-oriented title. Meanwhile, the animation specialist position seeks professionals with background in stylized character animation, suggesting Riot intends to preserve visual coherence with League’s distinctive art direction.
Whilst neither job posting explicitly identifies the project, both positions emphasise League of Legends IP understanding as a desirable skill, firmly positioning Runeterra as the expected backdrop. The temporary structure of these roles usually points to preliminary creation stages, meaning the action role-playing game could still be years away from public reveal or release. This discovery highlights Riot’s wider approach to diversify the League series beyond its core MOBA game, subsequent to prosperous ventures into animated series, collectible card games and handheld applications. The parallel production of both an MMO and an action RPG illustrates the company’s commitment to examining multiple genres within the Runeterra universe.
- Action Game Designer role concentrates on action role-playing game mechanics creation
- CG animator position highlights stylized character animation proficiency
- Project utilises Unreal Engine for game creation
- Contract roles indicate early-stage research and development phase currently underway
What the Job Postings Show
Combat Systems at the Heart
The Combat Game Designer role constitutes the foundation of Riot’s action RPG ambitions, with the role explicitly tasked with developing and refining combat mechanics from scratch. The job description highlights candidates must possess strong proficiency in action games and ARPGs, with particular focus on the player experience of combat, the core systems that foster player engagement, and the artificial intelligence systems that control enemy actions. This level of specificity indicates Riot is not merely implementing existing combat frameworks but rather developing a bespoke system designed to provide a distinctive action experience in the League universe.
The focus on combat mechanics and feel indicates that Riot acknowledges the critical importance of responsive, satisfying gameplay in the action RPG genre. By recruiting specialists who know how to develop compelling combat mechanics, the company is signalling its intention to compete effectively within a saturated market of action-driven games. The demand for Unreal Engine knowledge further demonstrates that Riot is leveraging industry-standard technology to accomplish its objectives, enabling the team to focus creative energy on what makes the game unique rather than creating bespoke solutions from scratch.
Runeterra as the Plausible Location
Although neither job posting explicitly names the project, both postings highlight familiarity with League of Legends intellectual property as a preferred requirement, placing Runeterra firmly in focus as the probable setting. This strategic positioning allows Riot to leverage the established narrative, character roster and world creation that has evolved throughout multiple media formats, including the acclaimed animated series Arcane and the collectible card game Legends of Runeterra. Using existing intellectual property minimises the creative workload of world-building whilst offering audiences with familiar components that deepen engagement and investment in the narrative.
The decision to set the action RPG within Runeterra also supports Riot’s broader franchise strategy of creating linked gameplay experiences throughout various gaming genres. By tying the new project to the identical universe as the MMO, the card game and the animated series, Riot creates opportunities for cross-promotional activities and interconnected storylines that satisfy dedicated players. This approach maximises the value of the company’s creative investments whilst positioning Runeterra as a comprehensive entertainment destination similar to well-known franchises like The Elder Scrolls or The Witcher.
Broadening the League Universe
Riot Games’ apparent development of a League of Legends action RPG constitutes a significant expansion of the franchise’s ambitions beyond its beginnings as a competitive multiplayer online battle arena. The company has been systematically broadening the League universe through varied entertainment formats and gaming offerings, from the highly praised Arcane animation to the Legends of Runeterra collectible card game. This multi-pronged strategy converts League from a standalone game property into a expansive entertainment platform, positioning Runeterra as a world worthy of exploration across multiple different genres and mediums. The action RPG fits naturally into this growth plan, offering players an entirely different way to interact with the beloved intellectual property.
The release window of this development effort proves particularly noteworthy given Riot’s existing commitments to other League-related projects. With the MMO continuing development following its 2024 reset and the appointment of ex-World of Warcraft director Raymond Bartos, the company is displaying remarkable confidence in the franchise’s capacity to support several significant launches simultaneously. This two-project strategy mirrors successful strategies employed by leading gaming studios with sprawling universes. By developing games across different genres in parallel, Riot can sustain player interest 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 |
- Several League initiatives in development simultaneously throughout diverse studios and genres
- Runeterra world extending via interconnected interactive experiences and media adaptations
- Well-established IP permits Riot to utilise existing lore and roster of characters effectively
Development Schedule and Outlook
The contract nature of the posted positions suggests this action RPG remains in its infancy, probably several years before any official announcement or release. Early-stage research and development projects at large development houses typically require substantial time before reaching functional prototypes, let alone market readiness. Riot’s decision to recruit for such foundational projects demonstrates real dedication to investigating the ARPG genre within the League universe, though patience will be required from enthusiastic players. The Shanghai studio’s involvement in this foundational phase enables the team to experiment with gameplay mechanics, combat design and visual direction without the burden of tight schedules or audience demands.
Looking ahead, the intersection of multiple League projects creates an intriguing development landscape for Riot Games. Should both the MMO and action RPG develop as planned, the publisher could establish itself as a dominant force in cross-genre franchise development throughout the latter half of this decade. The appointment of Raymond Bartos to the MMO reflects Riot’s substantial dedication in producing quality content rather than accelerating release timelines. Similarly, the deliberate, understated approach to the ARPG’s development implies the company has learned from past missteps and now focuses on sustainable, adequately resourced production cycles across its portfolio of significant franchises.
