Riot Games appears to be developing a League of Legends action role-playing game in secret, based on recently discovered job listings published on the company’s careers page. Two temporary roles at Riot’s Shanghai studio—one for a Combat Systems 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 preferred requirement. Whilst the company has not officially announced the project, the postings indicate a small team is developing combat systems from the ground up using Unreal Engine. The discovery comes as Riot concurrently pushes its long-troubled League of Legends MMO into active production, indicating an significant growth of the franchise across multiple gaming genres.
Shanghai Studio Hidden Venture Surfaces
The two contract postings discovered on Riot’s careers page reveal that the Shanghai studio is actively recruiting for an unreleased action game set within the League of Legends world. The Combat Game Designer role particularly highlights developing and refining combat systems from the ground up, with candidates expected to show extensive expertise of action games and ARPGs. The position underscores the significance of combat feel, mechanics and artificial intelligence—core elements that would define the player experience in any action-oriented title. Meanwhile, the CG animator vacancy seeks professionals with experience in stylized character animation, suggesting Riot aims to maintain visual consistency with League’s distinctive art direction.
Whilst neither vacancy listing explicitly names the project, both positions flag League of Legends IP knowledge as a desirable skill, firmly positioning Runeterra as the probable location. The contract nature of these roles usually points to initial production phases, meaning the action role-playing game could still be years away from formal declaration or launch. This revelation underscores Riot’s wider approach to expand the League brand away from its main MOBA game, subsequent to successful expansions into animation projects, collectible card games and mobile games. The parallel production of both an MMO and an action RPG demonstrates the organisation’s dedication to examining multiple genres within the Runeterra universe.
- Combat Game Designer role focuses on action/ARPG mechanics creation
- CG animator role highlights stylized character animation proficiency
- Project uses Unreal Engine for game development
- Contract roles indicate early-stage research and development phase currently underway
What the Position Advertisements Show
Fighting Mechanics at the Centre
The Combat Game Designer posting forms the cornerstone of Riot’s action RPG aspirations, with the role explicitly tasked with developing and refining combat mechanics from scratch. The role specification stresses applicants require deep expertise in action games and ARPGs, with specific emphasis on how combat feels to players, the underlying mechanics that foster player engagement, and the artificial intelligence systems that control enemy actions. This level of specificity indicates Riot is not merely implementing established combat systems but rather building a tailored system tailored to deliver a distinctive action experience in the League universe.
The priority placed on combat feel and mechanics suggests that Riot understands the critical importance of satisfying, responsive gameplay in the action-based RPG genre. By hiring experts who are skilled at creating immersive combat systems, the company is indicating its plan to compete effectively within a competitive landscape of action-focused titles. The requirement for Unreal Engine knowledge also illustrates that Riot is utilising proven technology standards to realise its goals, enabling the team to concentrate creative effort on what sets the game apart rather than creating bespoke solutions from scratch.
Runeterra as the Likely Backdrop
Although neither job posting explicitly names the project, both postings flag familiarity with League of Legends IP as a preferred requirement, placing Runeterra firmly in focus as the probable setting. This strategic positioning allows Riot to leverage the existing lore, cast of characters and world creation that has developed across various platforms, including the award-winning animation Arcane and the trading card game Legends of Runeterra. Leveraging established IP minimises the creative workload of world-building whilst offering audiences with recognisable elements that deepen engagement and investment in the narrative.
The choice to place the action RPG in Runeterra also supports Riot’s wider strategic approach of developing linked gameplay experiences throughout various gaming genres. By anchoring the new project to the same 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 strategy enhances the value of the company’s creative investments whilst positioning Runeterra as a comprehensive entertainment destination comparable to well-known franchises like The Elder Scrolls or The Witcher.
Expanding the League Universe
Riot Games’ reported development of a League of Legends action RPG constitutes a major broadening of the franchise’s aspirations beyond its origins 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 critically acclaimed Arcane animation to the Legends of Runeterra collectible card game. This multifaceted approach transforms League from a single-game franchise into a expansive entertainment platform, positioning Runeterra as a world worthy of exploration across multiple different genres and mediums. The action RPG integrates seamlessly into this expansion strategy, offering players an completely new way to engage with the cherished game world.
The release window of this project initiative proves particularly noteworthy given Riot’s current obligations to other League-related projects. With the MMO still in active production following its 2024 reset and the hiring of ex-World of Warcraft director Raymond Bartos, the company is displaying remarkable confidence in the franchise’s capacity to support multiple major releases simultaneously. This dual-project approach mirrors proven approaches employed by leading gaming studios with sprawling universes. By creating titles across different genres in parallel, Riot can sustain player interest through diverse gameplay whilst generating excitement for each individual release. The Shanghai studio’s involvement suggests the company is allocating 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 at the same time throughout different studios and types
- Runeterra universe expanding via linked gaming experiences and cross-media expansions
- Well-established IP enables Riot to leverage existing lore and character rosters efficiently
Timeline and Development Outlook
The contractual status of the posted positions suggests this action RPG remains in its infancy, probably several years before any official announcement or release. Preliminary research and development projects at major studios typically require considerable duration before achieving playable prototypes, let alone market readiness. Riot’s willingness to hire for such foundational projects indicates real dedication to exploring the ARPG category within the League universe, though restraint will be necessary from enthusiastic players. The Shanghai studio’s involvement in this initial stage allows the team to experiment with gameplay mechanics, combat design and visual direction without the pressure of tight schedules or audience demands.
Looking ahead, the intersection of multiple League projects establishes an compelling 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 genre-spanning franchise development throughout the latter half of this decade. The recruitment of Raymond Bartos to the MMO demonstrates Riot’s genuine commitment in delivering quality experiences rather than accelerating release timelines. Similarly, the deliberate, understated approach to the ARPG’s development implies the company has addressed prior shortcomings and now focuses on sustainable, well-resourced production cycles across its portfolio of major projects.
