Riot Games seems 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 desirable qualification. Neither listing formally identifies the project, but the emphasis on action gameplay mechanics and Runeterra expertise strongly indicates the title will be set within the League universe. The discovery arrives as Riot continues expanding 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 Emerges
The two contract postings found on Riot’s jobs page unveil intriguing details about the Shanghai-based studio’s mysterious undertaking. The Combat Game Designer role specifically seeks someone with extensive knowledge of action games and ARPGs, with particular emphasis on developing engaging combat experience, intuitive mechanics, and responsive artificial intelligence systems. This suggests Riot is building something mechanically sophisticated from scratch, utilising Unreal Engine as the development platform. The posting indicates the team is still in early stages, continuously refining fundamental mechanics rather than polishing an existing foundation.
Alongside the designer role, Riot is hiring a CG animator experienced in stylised character work—a recruitment decision that hints at the artistic trajectory 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 developmental stage typically signal projects remain some distance from launch, the combination of these two positions suggests Riot has invested significant effort to exploring what an action-focused League experience might entail. The recruitment approach indicates the studio is building a focused though modest, core team to prototype and validate fundamental gameplay mechanics.
- Combat Game Designer role focuses on action-RPG systems development
- CG animator brings stylized character animation expertise to project
- Early-stage R&D suggests years remain before possible launch
- Unreal Engine chosen as main development platform for title
Combat Mechanics and Technical Specifications
What These Listings Demonstrate
The Combat Game Designer posting offers crucial insight into the project’s mechanical ambitions. Candidates need to show deep expertise in action-based games and ARPGs, with specific focus on creating engaging combat feel—a hallmark of successful titles in the genre. The role clearly demands building and iterating on combat systems 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, potentially for single-player or co-operative experiences rather than purely competitive gameplay.
The specification details outlined in the listings illustrate a methodical, systems-focused production strategy. Candidates are expected to work within a compact, nascent team where individual contributions carry substantial weight. The focus on “combat feel” rather than merely mechanical balance indicates Riot prioritises user experience and feedback—qualities essential to modern action RPGs. This hiring strategy demonstrates the Shanghai studio is avoiding hasty moves toward production but rather investing time in prototyping and validating fundamental gameplay mechanics before scaling the project further.
- Strong proficiency in action and ARPG game mechanics needed
- Combat sensation and player responsiveness given priority over balance mechanics
- Development of AI systems suggests potential single-player or cooperative emphasis
- Unreal Engine selected as main development engine
- Early prototyping stage suggests years before market launch
Growing the League of Legends Franchise
Riot Games has consistently positioned League of Legends as the foundation of an expansive multimedia franchise, yet the company’s game development goals have conventionally centred on the original MOBA title itself. The revelation of a secret action RPG in development marks a significant shift in strategy, suggesting Riot aims to diversify its gaming portfolio across various genres rather than depending exclusively on League’s competitive ecosystem. This approach reflects successful franchises like The Elder Scrolls or Final Fantasy, where a main entry coexists alongside secondary games that delve into different gameplay styles. By creating an ARPG situated in Runeterra, Riot can capitalise on the extensive mythology and established character base whilst appealing to players who prefer single-player or co-operative experiences over competitive online play.
The scheduling of these developments is especially significant given Riot’s broader franchise expansion efforts. Alongside the action RPG project, the company has poured significant investment in the extended-development League of Legends MMO, bringing on Raymond Bartos from World of Warcraft to expedite the production process following a major overhaul in 2024. This parallel development path suggests Riot is working towards an ambitious vision for Runeterra’s digital ecosystem. Rather than directly competing with one another, these endeavours appear designed to serve different player demographics—the MMO serving persistent-world enthusiasts whilst the ARPG caters to players looking for story-driven, action-focused adventures. Together, they constitute Riot’s most ambitious growth 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 job postings reveal tantalising evidence of the ARPG’s existence, Riot Games has preserved absolute silence concerning an formal reveal or availability date. The contract positions listed on the company’s careers page point to the project is still in early-stage research and development, implying it could be several years away from launch. Industry observers versed in game development cycles note that hiring for foundational roles such as Combat Game Designer typically signals the early phases of production rather than an imminent release. This measured pace allows Riot to develop strong combat mechanics and gameplay systems before expanding the team further, a practical strategy given the demanding market of action RPGs.
The Shanghai studio’s participation in this endeavour reflects Riot’s worldwide development capabilities and the studio’s established track record in creating compelling interactive experiences. By placing the ARPG project at this site rather than consolidating efforts at a sole headquarters, Riot showcases its dedication to decentralised development approaches that have produced successful outcomes across its range of titles. The company’s track record with League of Legends suggests players can expect a polished, technically proficient offering whenever the ARPG finally releases. However, with the MMO also demanding significant resources and attention, the ARPG might not arrive until 2027 or beyond, based on completion targets and Riot’s internal priorities.
What Participants Should Anticipate
Should the ARPG achieve completion, players can anticipate a solo or multiplayer cooperative action experience situated in the vibrant world of Runeterra, leveraging the world’s existing lore and beloved champions. The focus on visual character craftsmanship and combat feel suggests Riot intends to provide visceral, skill-based gameplay rather than a conventional dungeon crawler. Fans of story-focused action titles and those looking for a fresh approach of League engagement may find the ARPG particularly appealing, providing an departure from the competitive online multiplayer focus that has defined the franchise from its launch.
