Riot Games seems to be developing a League of Legends action RPG in secret, according to newly uncovered job listings posted to the company’s recruitment page. Two contract positions at Riot’s Shanghai studio—one for a Combat Game Designer and another for a character animator—indicate an early-phase R&D project is underway, with both roles flagging familiarity with the League of Legends IP as a desirable qualification. Whilst the company has not formally revealed the project, the postings indicate a compact team is developing fighting mechanics from the ground up using Unreal Engine. The discovery comes as Riot concurrently pushes its long-troubled League of Legends MMO into full development, signalling an ambitious expansion of the franchise across multiple gaming genres.
Shanghai Studio Secret Project Emerges
The two job listings 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 scratch, with candidates expected to demonstrate deep knowledge of action games and ARPGs. The position underscores the significance of combat feel, mechanics and artificial intelligence—core elements that would shape how players engage in any action-focused game. Meanwhile, the CG animator position seeks professionals with background in stylised character work, suggesting Riot aims to maintain visual consistency with League’s signature visual style.
Whilst neither job posting explicitly names the project, both positions emphasise League of Legends IP familiarity as a desirable skill, firmly positioning Runeterra as the expected backdrop. The temporary structure of these roles generally suggests initial production phases, meaning the action RPG could still be a considerable period from formal declaration or launch. This discovery highlights Riot’s broader strategy to expand the League brand beyond its core MOBA game, following years of successful expansions into animated series, collectible card games and handheld applications. The parallel production of both an MMO and an action RPG illustrates the company’s commitment to investigating various game types within the Runeterra universe.
- Combat Game Designer role focuses on action/ARPG mechanics development
- CG animator position emphasises stylised character animation proficiency
- Project utilises Unreal Engine for game development
- Contract positions suggest early-stage R&D phase presently underway
What the Job Postings Demonstrate
Combat Systems at the Heart
The Action Game Combat Designer posting constitutes the foundation of Riot’s action RPG aspirations, with the position explicitly tasked with developing and refining combat mechanics from scratch. The job description highlights applicants require strong proficiency in action games and action RPGs, with specific emphasis on the player experience of combat, the underlying mechanics that foster player engagement, and the artificial intelligence systems that govern enemy behaviour. This degree of detail indicates Riot is not merely implementing existing combat frameworks but rather developing a bespoke system tailored to deliver a unique action experience in the League universe.
The priority placed on combat feel and mechanics indicates that Riot understands the vital significance of satisfying, responsive gameplay in the action role-playing genre. By bringing on specialists who understand how to craft compelling combat mechanics, the company is demonstrating its commitment to compete effectively within a crowded marketplace of action-focused titles. The demand for Unreal Engine expertise also illustrates that Riot is leveraging established industry tools to achieve its vision, allowing the team to focus creative energy on what makes the game unique rather than developing custom tools from scratch.
Runeterra as the Plausible Setting
Although neither job posting explicitly identifies the project, both postings highlight knowledge of League of Legends intellectual property as a desirable qualification, placing Runeterra squarely in the frame as the probable setting. This deliberate approach allows Riot to tap into the established narrative, cast of characters and worldbuilding that has evolved throughout various platforms, including the acclaimed animated series Arcane and the collectible card game Legends of Runeterra. Leveraging established IP minimises the creative workload of world-building whilst offering audiences with familiar components that deepen engagement and investment in the narrative.
The decision to set the action RPG in Runeterra also supports Riot’s broader franchise strategy of developing interconnected experiences throughout various gaming genres. By tying the new project to the identical universe as the MMO, the card game and the animated series, Riot creates opportunities for cross-promotional activities and interconnected storylines that reward engaged fans. This strategy maximises the value of the company’s creative efforts whilst positioning Runeterra as a complete entertainment hub similar 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 ambitions beyond its beginnings as a competitive team-based online game. The company has been systematically broadening the League universe through diverse media and gaming experiences, from the critically acclaimed Arcane animation to the Legends of Runeterra card game. This multi-pronged strategy converts League from a standalone game property into a comprehensive entertainment ecosystem, positioning Runeterra as a world worthy of exploration across multiple genres and platforms. The action RPG integrates seamlessly into this growth plan, providing players an completely new way to interact with the beloved intellectual property.
The scheduling of this development effort demonstrates notably noteworthy given Riot’s current obligations to other League-related projects. With the MMO continuing development following its 2024 reset and the appointment of ex-World of Warcraft director Raymond Bartos, the company is showing remarkable confidence in the franchise’s ability to support several significant launches simultaneously. This dual-project approach mirrors successful strategies employed by other major gaming publishers with sprawling universes. By developing games across varied genres in parallel, Riot can maintain player engagement through varied experiences whilst generating excitement for each individual release. The Shanghai studio’s involvement suggests the company is distributing development 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 progress simultaneously throughout different studios and categories
- Runeterra world growing through linked interactive experiences and media adaptations
- Well-established IP allows Riot to make use of existing narrative and roster of characters successfully
Development Schedule and Outlook
The contract nature of the posted positions suggests this action RPG remains in its infancy, likely years away from any public reveal or release. Preliminary research and development projects at large development houses typically require substantial time before achieving playable prototypes, let alone market readiness. Riot’s decision to recruit for such foundational projects indicates genuine commitment to exploring the ARPG genre 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 test out combat systems, mechanics and artistic direction without the pressure of immediate deadlines or audience demands.
Looking ahead, the convergence of multiple League projects generates an compelling development landscape for Riot Games. Should both the MMO and action RPG develop as planned, the publisher could cement its status as a dominant force in genre-spanning franchise development during the latter half of this decade. The appointment of Raymond Bartos to the MMO demonstrates Riot’s serious investment in creating quality products rather than pushing products out quickly. Similarly, the measured, restrained approach to the ARPG’s development implies the company has addressed prior shortcomings and now prioritises sustainable, adequately resourced production cycles throughout its portfolio of major projects.
