Riot Games appears to be developing a League of Legends action RPG behind closed doors, 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—suggest an early-stage project is coming together, with both roles flagging familiarity with the League of Legends IP as a sought-after requirement. Neither listing formally identifies the project, but the emphasis on action gameplay mechanics and Runeterra expertise clearly suggests the title will be situated in 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 Secret Project Comes to Light
The two contract listings found on Riot’s jobs page reveal intriguing details about the Shanghai-based studio’s mysterious undertaking. The Game Combat Designer role actively looks for someone with extensive knowledge of action games and ARPGs, with specific focus on developing compelling combat feel, intuitive mechanics, and advanced AI systems. This suggests Riot is developing something mechanically sophisticated from the ground up, using Unreal Engine as the development platform. The job description indicates the team is still in early stages, continuously refining fundamental mechanics rather than polishing an established base.
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’ unique visual aesthetic, this animator would probably 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 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/ARPG mechanics development
- CG animator brings stylised character animation expertise to project
- Early-stage R&D indicates considerable time remains before potential release
- Unreal Engine chosen as primary development platform for title
Combat Design and Technical Specifications
What the Vacancies Indicate
The Combat Game Designer posting provides crucial insight into the project’s mechanical ambitions. Candidates need to show extensive knowledge in action-based games and ARPGs, with specific focus on creating engaging combat feel—a defining characteristic of acclaimed games in the genre. The role clearly demands developing and refining on combat mechanics from scratch using Unreal Engine, indicating Riot intends to develop something distinctly different from League of Legends’ turn-based MOBA mechanics. The focus 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 technical requirements outlined in the listings reveal a methodical, systems-focused development approach. Candidates are required to work within a compact, nascent team where individual contributions hold significant importance. The emphasis on “combat feel” rather than merely mechanical balance indicates Riot prioritises player sensation and responsiveness—qualities essential to modern action RPGs. This recruitment approach 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 game mechanics needed
- Combat feel and player feedback prioritised over balance mechanics
- AI systems development points to likely single-player or co-op focus
- Unreal chosen as primary technical development platform
- Early-stage prototyping stage suggests considerable time until commercial release
Growing the League of Legends Universe
Riot Games has consistently 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 major pivot in strategy, suggesting Riot intends to diversify its game catalogue across different gameplay styles rather than relying solely on League’s competitive ecosystem. This approach mirrors successful franchises like The Elder Scrolls or Final Fantasy, where a flagship title coexists alongside spin-offs that venture into different play mechanics. By producing an ARPG based in Runeterra, Riot can tap into the deep storytelling and established character base whilst reaching players who prefer solo or cooperative gameplay over multiplayer competition.
The scheduling of these developments is notably important given Riot’s extensive franchise growth plans. Alongside the action role-playing game project, the company has invested heavily in the extended-development League of Legends MMO, bringing on Raymond Bartos from World of Warcraft to accelerate production following a major overhaul in 2024. This dual-track approach suggests Riot is working towards an ambitious vision for Runeterra’s gaming environment. Rather than competing directly with one another, these endeavours appear designed to serve different audience segments—the MMO serving persistent-world enthusiasts whilst the ARPG appeals to players seeking story-driven, action-focused adventures. Together, they constitute Riot’s most aggressive 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 |
Project Timeline and Outlook
Whilst the position listings offer intriguing evidence of the ARPG’s existence, Riot Games has upheld complete silence concerning an formal reveal or availability date. The contract positions advertised on the company’s careers page point to the project remains in initial R&D phases, suggesting it could be several years away from launch. Industry observers versed in game development cycles point out that hiring for foundational roles such as Combat Game Designer commonly represents the initial stages of production rather than an upcoming release. This measured pace allows Riot to create solid combat mechanics and gameplay systems ahead of growing the team further, a sensible approach given the demanding market of action RPGs.
The Shanghai studio’s participation in this project reflects Riot’s worldwide development capabilities and the studio’s demonstrated proficiency in developing immersive gameplay. By situating the ARPG project at this site rather than consolidating efforts at a single headquarters, Riot showcases its commitment to distributed development practices that have produced successful outcomes across its range of titles. The company’s history with League of Legends suggests audiences should anticipate a polished, technically proficient offering whenever the ARPG finally releases. However, with the MMO also demanding significant resources and attention, the ARPG may not materialise until 2027 or beyond, based on completion targets and Riot’s resource allocation decisions.
What Gamers Should Be Prepared For
Should the ARPG reach completion, players can expect a solo or multiplayer cooperative action experience placed in the rich tapestry of Runeterra, leveraging the universe’s established lore and beloved champions. The emphasis on visual character craftsmanship and combat mechanics suggests Riot aims to deliver visceral, skill-based gameplay rather than a standard dungeon crawler. Fans of story-focused action titles and those seeking a fresh approach of League engagement may discover the ARPG especially compelling, offering an contrast with the competitive multiplayer focus that has shaped the franchise from its launch.
