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 taking shape, with both roles flagging familiarity with the League of Legends IP as a sought-after requirement. Neither listing officially names 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 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 Secret Project Emerges
The two contract listings found on Riot’s careers page unveil tantalising details about the Shanghai-based studio’s secret project. The Combat Game Designer role actively looks for someone with extensive knowledge of action games and action RPGs, with specific focus on crafting compelling combat feel, intuitive mechanics, and advanced AI systems. This suggests Riot is building something technically complex from scratch, using Unreal Engine as the development platform. The job description indicates the team is still in initial phases, continuously refining core systems rather than refining an established base.
Alongside the designer role, Riot is recruiting a CG animator with expertise in stylised character work—a hiring choice that hints at the artistic trajectory the project may take. Given League of Legends’ distinctive art style, this animator would probably help create a cohesive aesthetic for the action RPG. Whilst temporary positions at this early phase 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 test and refine fundamental gameplay mechanics.
- Combat Game Designer role focuses on action-RPG systems development
- CG animator brings stylized character animation knowledge to project
- Early-stage R&D suggests years remain before possible launch
- Unreal Engine selected as main development platform for title
Combat Mechanics and Technical Requirements
What the Vacancies Indicate
The Combat Game Designer posting offers valuable perspective into the project’s mechanical ambitions. Candidates must demonstrate extensive knowledge in action-based games and ARPGs, with specific focus on crafting satisfying combat feel—a defining characteristic of acclaimed games in the genre. The role explicitly requires building and iterating 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 indicates the studio is building advanced enemy AI systems, potentially for single-player or co-operative experiences rather than purely competitive gameplay.
The technical requirements presented within the listings paint a picture of a methodical, systems-focused production strategy. Candidates are required to work within a small, early-stage team where personal input carry substantial weight. The focus on “combat feel” rather than merely mechanical balance suggests Riot places value on user experience and feedback—qualities essential to contemporary action role-playing games. This recruitment approach demonstrates the Shanghai studio is avoiding hasty moves toward production but rather investing time in testing and refining fundamental gameplay mechanics before expanding operations further.
- Extensive knowledge in action games and ARPG game mechanics required
- Combat sensation and player responsiveness given priority over balance mechanics
- Development of AI systems indicates potential single-player or co-op emphasis
- Unreal selected as primary development platform
- Early prototyping stage indicates years until 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 gaming ambitions have conventionally centred on the original MOBA title itself. The disclosure of a secret action RPG in production marks a major pivot in strategy, suggesting Riot aims to diversify its game catalogue across different gameplay styles rather than relying solely on League’s esports infrastructure. This approach echoes established series like The Elder Scrolls or Final Fantasy, where a main entry coexists alongside spin-offs that explore different gaming experiences. By creating an ARPG based in Runeterra, Riot can capitalise on the rich lore and established character base whilst reaching players who prefer single-player or co-operative experiences over multiplayer competition.
The scheduling of these advancements is notably important given Riot’s broader franchise expansion efforts. Alongside the action RPG initiative, the company has invested heavily in the long-in-development League of Legends MMO, bringing on Raymond Bartos from World of Warcraft to expedite the production process following a significant reset in 2024. This parallel development path suggests Riot is pursuing an ambitious vision for Runeterra’s digital ecosystem. Rather than going head-to-head with one another, these endeavours appear created to address different market segments—the MMO serving persistent-world enthusiasts whilst the ARPG appeals to players seeking story-driven, action-focused adventures. Together, they represent Riot’s boldest 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 |
Timeline and Development Outlook
Whilst the vacancy announcements provide compelling evidence of the ARPG’s existence, Riot Games has maintained strict silence regarding an formal reveal or launch timeframe. The contract positions listed on the company’s careers page suggest the project continues in foundational development stages, indicating it could be a considerable time from launch. Industry observers versed in game development cycles observe that hiring for core positions such as Combat Game Designer generally indicates the beginning stages of production rather than an upcoming release. This careful tempo allows Riot to create solid combat mechanics and gameplay systems ahead of growing the team further, a sound method given the demanding market of action RPGs.
The Shanghai studio’s participation in this endeavour reflects Riot’s global development infrastructure and the studio’s established track record in crafting engaging gameplay experiences. By positioning the ARPG project at this site rather than centralising operations at a unified central hub, Riot demonstrates its dedication to decentralised development approaches that have produced successful outcomes across its portfolio. The company’s history with League of Legends suggests audiences should anticipate a polished, mechanically sound experience whenever the ARPG eventually emerges. However, with the MMO also consuming considerable resources and effort, the ARPG may not materialise until 2027 or afterwards, depending on development milestones and Riot’s resource allocation decisions.
What Gamers Should Be Prepared For
Should the ARPG reach completion, players can look forward to a single-player or co-operative action experience set within the expansive universe of Runeterra, drawing upon the universe’s established lore and iconic champions. The emphasis on character design and gameplay feel suggests Riot intends to provide intense, mechanically demanding gameplay rather than a straightforward dungeon crawler. Fans of character-rich action titles and those looking for a alternative take of League engagement may find the ARPG especially compelling, offering an alternative to the competitive online multiplayer focus that has shaped the franchise from its launch.
