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—indicate 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 officially names 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 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 Confidential Initiative Comes to Light
The two contract postings found on Riot’s jobs page reveal intriguing details about the Shanghai studio’s secret project. The Game Combat Designer role actively looks for someone with deep expertise of action games and action RPGs, with specific focus on developing compelling combat feel, responsive controls, and responsive artificial intelligence systems. This suggests Riot is developing something technically complex from scratch, utilising Unreal Engine as the development platform. The posting indicates the team is still in initial phases, actively iterating on fundamental mechanics rather than polishing an existing foundation.
Alongside the design position, Riot is hiring a CG animator experienced in stylised character work—a hiring choice that hints at the artistic trajectory the project may take. Given League of Legends’ unique visual aesthetic, this animator would likely help create a unified visual approach for the action RPG. Whilst temporary positions at this early phase typically signal projects remain years away from launch, the pairing of these roles 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 dedicated, albeit small, core team to test and refine core gameplay concepts.
- Combat Game Designer role focuses on action/ARPG mechanics development
- CG animator contributes stylised character animation knowledge to project
- Early-stage R&D indicates considerable time remains before possible launch
- Unreal Engine selected as primary development platform for title
Combat Mechanics and Technical Specifications
What These Listings Demonstrate
The Combat Game Designer posting provides 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 hallmark of successful titles in the genre. The role explicitly requires building and iterating on combat systems from scratch using Unreal Engine, suggesting Riot plans to create something fundamentally distinct from League of Legends’ turn-based MOBA mechanics. The focus on AI development indicates the studio is designing advanced enemy AI systems, possibly intended for single-player or co-operative experiences rather than purely competitive gameplay.
The technical requirements outlined in the listings paint a picture of a methodical, systems-focused development approach. Candidates are required to work within a small, early-stage team where personal input carry substantial weight. The emphasis on “combat feel” rather than merely mechanical balance indicates Riot places value on user experience and feedback—qualities vital for modern action RPGs. 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.
- Extensive knowledge in action and ARPG design mechanics required
- Combat sensation and player responsiveness prioritised over balance mechanics
- Development of AI systems suggests likely single-player or co-op focus
- Unreal Engine selected as main development platform
- Early prototyping phase suggests considerable time until market launch
Expanding the League of Legends Franchise
Riot Games has long positioned League of Legends as the cornerstone of an extensive multimedia franchise, yet the company’s gaming ambitions have conventionally centred on the original MOBA title itself. The announcement of a secret action RPG in production marks a significant shift in strategy, suggesting Riot aims to diversify its game catalogue across various genres rather than depending exclusively on League’s esports infrastructure. This approach reflects successful franchises like The Elder Scrolls or Final Fantasy, where a main entry coexists alongside spin-offs that delve into different gameplay styles. By creating an ARPG based in Runeterra, Riot can capitalise on the rich lore and established character base whilst appealing to players who prefer solo or cooperative gameplay over multiplayer competition.
The pacing of these developments is notably important given Riot’s broader franchise expansion efforts. Alongside the action RPG project, the company has poured significant investment in the long-gestating 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 working towards an ambitious vision for Runeterra’s gaming environment. Rather than going head-to-head with one another, these projects appear intended to cater to different audience segments—the MMO targeting persistent-world enthusiasts whilst the ARPG serves players seeking compelling story-based action gameplay. Together, they constitute 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 |
Timeframe and Growth Prospects
Whilst the position listings offer intriguing evidence of the ARPG’s existence, Riot Games has maintained strict silence regarding an official announcement or release window. The contract positions listed on the company’s careers page indicate the project continues in foundational development stages, indicating it could be a considerable time from launch. Industry observers familiar with game development cycles note that hiring for foundational roles such as Combat Game Designer typically signals the early phases of production rather than an near-term launch. This measured pace 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 endeavour reflects Riot’s worldwide development capabilities and the studio’s proven expertise in creating compelling interactive experiences. By situating the ARPG project at this facility rather than centralising operations at a sole headquarters, Riot showcases its support for distributed team structures that have produced successful outcomes across its range of titles. 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 demanding significant resources and attention, the ARPG might not arrive until 2027 or later, depending on project milestones and the company’s strategic priorities.
What Players Should Expect
Should the ARPG achieve completion, players can expect a solo or multiplayer cooperative action experience set within the vibrant world of Runeterra, utilising the world’s existing lore and fan-favourite champions. The focus on character design and gameplay feel suggests Riot aims to deliver visceral, skill-based gameplay rather than a straightforward dungeon crawler. Fans of narrative-driven action titles and those seeking a fresh approach of League engagement may find the ARPG particularly appealing, presenting an contrast with the competitive online multiplayer focus that has shaped the franchise since its inception.
