Riot Games appears to be developing a League of Legends action RPG in secret, 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 strongly indicates the title will be set within the League universe. The discovery comes 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 Emerges
The two contract listings found on Riot’s careers page unveil intriguing details about the Shanghai studio’s secret project. The Combat Game Designer role actively looks for someone with extensive knowledge of action games and ARPGs, with particular emphasis on developing compelling combat feel, responsive controls, and advanced AI systems. This suggests Riot is developing something technically complex from scratch, using Unreal Engine as the core technology. The job description shows the team is still in initial phases, actively iterating on fundamental mechanics rather than refining 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 visual direction the project may take. Given League of Legends’ unique visual aesthetic, this animator would likely help establish a unified visual approach for the action RPG. Whilst contract roles at this developmental stage 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 building a dedicated, albeit small, core team to prototype and validate fundamental gameplay mechanics.
- Action Game Designer role concentrates on action-RPG systems development
- CG animator brings stylized character animation expertise to project
- Initial research and development indicates years remain before possible launch
- Unreal Engine chosen as main development platform for title
Combat Design and Technical Specifications
What Job Postings Show
The Combat Game Designer job listing offers crucial insight into the project’s mechanical ambitions. Candidates must demonstrate deep expertise in action games and ARPGs, with particular emphasis on crafting satisfying combat feel—a hallmark of successful titles in the genre. The role clearly demands developing and refining on combat mechanics from scratch using Unreal Engine, suggesting 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 sophisticated enemy behaviour systems, possibly intended for single-player and co-operative experiences rather than purely competitive gameplay.
The technical requirements presented within the listings illustrate a methodical, systems-focused development approach. Candidates are expected to work within a small, early-stage team where personal input carry substantial weight. The emphasis on “combat feel” rather than simply mechanical balance suggests Riot prioritises 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 dedicating resources to prototyping and validating fundamental gameplay mechanics before scaling the project further.
- Strong proficiency in action games and ARPG design mechanics needed
- Combat sensation and player feedback given priority over mechanical balance
- AI systems development indicates potential single-player or cooperative focus
- Unreal Engine chosen as main technical development engine
- Early prototyping phase suggests years until market launch
Expanding the League of Legends World
Riot Games has traditionally positioned League of Legends as the cornerstone of an extensive multimedia franchise, yet the company’s game development goals have historically centred on the original MOBA title itself. The revelation of a undisclosed action RPG project in production marks a significant shift in strategy, suggesting Riot intends to diversify its game catalogue across different gameplay styles rather than depending exclusively on League’s esports infrastructure. This approach echoes successful franchises like The Elder Scrolls or Final Fantasy, where a flagship title coexists alongside supplementary titles that venture into different play mechanics. By developing an ARPG based in Runeterra, Riot can capitalise on the rich lore and established character base whilst attracting players who prefer single-player or co-operative experiences over competitive multiplayer.
The pacing of these advancements is especially significant given Riot’s broader franchise expansion efforts. Alongside the action role-playing game project, the company has invested heavily in the long-gestating League of Legends MMO, bringing on Raymond Bartos from World of Warcraft to accelerate production following a major overhaul in 2024. This two-pronged strategy suggests Riot is working towards an ambitious vision for Runeterra’s digital ecosystem. Rather than going head-to-head with one another, these initiatives appear designed to serve different audience segments—the MMO serving persistent-world enthusiasts whilst the ARPG appeals to players pursuing compelling story-based action gameplay. Together, they embody Riot’s most aggressive 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 |
Timeframe and Growth Prospects
Whilst the vacancy announcements reveal tantalising evidence of the ARPG’s existence, Riot Games has maintained strict silence regarding an public statement or launch timeframe. The contract positions listed on the company’s careers page point to the project continues in early-stage research and development, suggesting it could be years distant from launch. Industry observers experienced in game development cycles observe that hiring for essential positions such as Combat Game Designer commonly represents the beginning stages of production rather than an imminent release. This deliberate approach allows Riot to create solid combat mechanics and gameplay systems ahead of growing the team further, a sound method given the competitive landscape of action RPGs.
The Shanghai studio’s participation in this project reflects Riot’s international development framework and the studio’s demonstrated proficiency in developing immersive gameplay. By placing the ARPG project at this facility rather than centralising operations at a unified central hub, Riot illustrates its dedication to decentralised development approaches that have produced successful outcomes across its product lineup. The company’s history with League of Legends suggests gamers will receive a polished, mechanically sound experience whenever the ARPG ultimately launches. However, with the MMO also requiring substantial investment and focus, the ARPG might not arrive until 2027 or afterwards, based on project milestones and the company’s strategic priorities.
What Participants Should Anticipate
Should the ARPG reach completion, players can expect a single-player or co-operative action experience set within the rich tapestry of Runeterra, leveraging the universe’s established lore and beloved champions. The spotlight on visual character craftsmanship and gameplay feel suggests Riot intends to provide visceral, skill-based gameplay rather than a straightforward dungeon crawler. Fans of narrative-driven action titles and those pursuing a fresh approach of League engagement may find the ARPG notably attractive, providing an alternative to the pvp-focused focus that has characterised the franchise from its launch.
