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—suggest an early-stage project is coming together, with both roles highlighting 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 clearly suggests the title will be set within the League universe. The discovery comes as Riot keeps broadening the franchise beyond 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 discovered on Riot’s jobs page reveal intriguing details about the Shanghai studio’s mysterious undertaking. The Game Combat Designer role actively looks for someone with extensive knowledge of action games and action RPGs, with particular emphasis on developing engaging combat experience, responsive controls, and advanced AI systems. This indicates Riot is developing something mechanically sophisticated from scratch, using Unreal Engine as the core technology. The posting shows the team is still in initial phases, continuously refining core systems rather than refining an existing foundation.
Alongside the designer role, Riot is hiring 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 establish a unified visual approach for the action RPG. Whilst contract roles at this early phase typically signal projects remain years away 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 assembling 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 knowledge to project
- Initial research and development suggests years remain before possible launch
- Unreal Engine selected as primary development platform for title
Combat Design and Technical Specifications
What These Listings Demonstrate
The Combat Game Designer job listing offers valuable perspective into the project’s mechanical ambitions. Candidates need to show extensive knowledge in action-based games and ARPGs, with specific focus on crafting satisfying combat feel—a hallmark of acclaimed games in the genre. The role clearly demands developing and refining on combat mechanics from scratch using Unreal Engine, indicating Riot plans to create something fundamentally distinct from League of Legends’ turn-based MOBA mechanics. The emphasis on AI development suggests 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 outlined in the listings reveal a methodical, systems-focused development approach. Candidates are expected to work within a small, early-stage team where personal input hold significant importance. The emphasis on “combat feel” rather than merely mechanical balance suggests Riot places value on 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 core gameplay loops before scaling the project further.
- Extensive knowledge in action and ARPG design mechanics needed
- Combat sensation and player feedback prioritised over balance mechanics
- AI systems development points to potential single-player or co-op focus
- Unreal Engine chosen as primary development engine
- Early prototyping stage suggests considerable time before commercial release
Expanding the League of Legends Franchise
Riot Games has long positioned League of Legends as the foundation of an sprawling multimedia franchise, yet the company’s gaming ambitions have historically centred on the original MOBA title itself. The announcement of a secret action RPG in development 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 echoes established series like The Elder Scrolls or Final Fantasy, where a main entry coexists alongside spin-offs that delve into different play mechanics. By creating an ARPG set within Runeterra, Riot can leverage the extensive mythology and established character base whilst reaching players who prefer solo or cooperative gameplay over competitive multiplayer.
The pacing of these initiatives is especially significant given Riot’s broader franchise expansion efforts. Alongside the action RPG project, the company has invested heavily in the long-in-development League of Legends MMO, bringing on Raymond Bartos from World of Warcraft to accelerate production following a substantial restructuring in 2024. This dual-track approach suggests Riot is working towards an ambitious vision for Runeterra’s digital ecosystem. Rather than competing directly with one another, these projects appear designed to serve different player demographics—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 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 |
Project Timeline and Outlook
Whilst the position listings provide compelling evidence of the ARPG’s existence, Riot Games has maintained strict silence regarding an official announcement or release window. The contract positions advertised on the company’s careers page indicate the project remains in initial R&D phases, implying it could be years distant from launch. Industry observers familiar with game development cycles observe that hiring for essential positions such as Combat Game Designer typically signals the beginning stages of production rather than an imminent release. This deliberate approach allows Riot to create solid combat mechanics and gameplay systems prior to scaling the team further, a practical strategy given the competitive landscape of action RPGs.
The Shanghai studio’s involvement in this endeavour reflects Riot’s international development framework and the studio’s established track record in crafting engaging gameplay experiences. By positioning the ARPG project at this site rather than concentrating resources at a single headquarters, Riot demonstrates its dedication to decentralised development approaches that have yielded positive results across its range of titles. The company’s experience developing League of Legends suggests players can expect a refined, well-designed experience whenever the ARPG ultimately launches. However, with the MMO also consuming considerable resources and effort, the ARPG may not materialise until 2027 or later, based on completion targets and the company’s strategic priorities.
What Gamers Should Be Prepared For
Should the ARPG be finished, players can look forward to a single-player or co-operative action experience set within the vibrant world of Runeterra, drawing upon the world’s existing lore and iconic champions. The emphasis on character design and combat mechanics suggests Riot aims to deliver intense, mechanically demanding gameplay rather than a straightforward dungeon crawler. Fans of character-rich action titles and those seeking a fresh approach of League engagement may find the ARPG especially compelling, offering an contrast with the competitive online multiplayer focus that has defined the franchise from the beginning.
