Riot Games seems to be developing a League of Legends action RPG in confidentiality, according to newly uncovered job listings published on 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-phase R&D project is in progress, with both roles highlighting 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 combat systems from the beginning using Unreal Engine. The discovery comes as Riot simultaneously pushes its long-troubled League of Legends MMO into active production, signalling an ambitious expansion of the franchise throughout various game categories.
Shanghai Studio Secret Project Surfaces
The two job listings discovered on Riot’s careers page reveal that the Shanghai studio is hiring for an unreleased action game set within the League of Legends universe. The Combat Designer role specifically emphasises building and iterating on combat systems from scratch, with candidates expected to demonstrate deep knowledge of action titles and role-playing games. The position highlights the importance of combat feel, game mechanics and AI—fundamental components that would define the player experience in any action-focused game. Meanwhile, the CG animator position seeks professionals with background in stylized character animation, suggesting Riot aims to maintain visual consistency with League’s signature visual style.
Whilst neither vacancy listing explicitly identifies the project, both positions highlight League of Legends IP knowledge as a added advantage, strongly suggesting Runeterra as the likely setting. The contract nature of these roles generally suggests early-stage development, meaning the action role-playing game could still be a considerable period from formal declaration or launch. This revelation reinforces Riot’s broader strategy to expand the League brand away from its main MOBA game, following years of successful expansions into animation projects, trading card games and handheld applications. The concurrent creation of both an MMO and an action role-playing game showcases the organisation’s dedication to exploring different categories within the Runeterra universe.
- Action Game Designer role focuses on action/ARPG mechanics development
- CG animator role emphasises stylized character animation proficiency
- Project uses Unreal Engine for game development
- Contract positions indicate early-stage research and development phase currently underway
What the Job Postings Show
Battle Systems at the Heart
The Action Game Combat Designer posting forms the cornerstone of Riot’s action RPG ambitions, with the role directly charged with building and iterating on combat mechanics from the ground up. The role specification stresses candidates must possess deep expertise in action games and ARPGs, with particular focus on how combat feels to players, the underlying mechanics that drive engagement, and the AI systems that control enemy actions. This level of specificity suggests Riot is not merely implementing established combat systems but rather developing a bespoke system designed to provide a distinctive action experience within the League universe.
The focus on combat feel and mechanics suggests that Riot recognises the critical importance of responsive, satisfying gameplay in the action role-playing genre. By hiring experts who know how to develop engaging combat systems, the company is indicating its plan to compete effectively within a competitive landscape of action-oriented titles. The requirement for Unreal Engine knowledge additionally shows that Riot is employing established industry tools to realise its goals, allowing the team to concentrate creative effort on what sets the game apart rather than creating bespoke solutions from scratch.
Runeterra as the Probable Backdrop
Although neither job posting explicitly names the project, both postings highlight familiarity with League of Legends IP as a preferred requirement, placing Runeterra squarely in the frame as the likely backdrop. This strategic positioning allows Riot to tap into the existing lore, cast of characters and world creation that has evolved throughout various platforms, including the acclaimed animated series Arcane and the collectible card game Legends of Runeterra. Using existing intellectual property reduces the creative burden of world-building whilst providing players with familiar components that enhance immersion and commitment to the narrative.
The decision to set the action RPG in Runeterra also aligns with Riot’s wider franchise strategy of developing linked gameplay 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 generates possibilities for cross-promotional activities and interconnected storylines that satisfy dedicated players. This strategy maximises the worth of the company’s creative investments whilst establishing Runeterra as a comprehensive entertainment destination similar to established franchises like The Elder Scrolls or The Witcher.
Expanding the League Universe
Riot Games’ reported work on a League of Legends action RPG represents a significant expansion of the franchise’s ambitions beyond its origins as a competitive team-based online game. The company has been progressively expanding 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 single-game franchise into a expansive entertainment platform, positioning Runeterra as a world worthy of exploration across multiple different genres and mediums. The action RPG fits naturally into this growth plan, providing players an completely new way to interact with the cherished game world.
The timing of this development effort proves notably noteworthy given Riot’s existing commitments to other League-related projects. With the MMO still in active production following its 2024 reset and the hiring of former World of Warcraft lead Raymond Bartos, the company is displaying remarkable confidence in the franchise’s capacity to support several significant launches simultaneously. This dual-project approach mirrors proven approaches employed by leading gaming studios with sprawling universes. By creating titles across varied genres in parallel, Riot can sustain player interest through diverse gameplay whilst building anticipation for each individual release. The Shanghai studio’s involvement indicates the company is allocating 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 |
- Various League initiatives in development at the same time across different studios and types
- Runeterra universe extending through integrated gaming experiences and multimedia adaptations
- Established IP permits Riot to utilise current lore and character lineups successfully
Development Timeline and Prospects
The contract nature of the posted positions suggests this action RPG remains in its early stages, probably several years before any official announcement or release. Preliminary research and development projects at major studios typically require substantial time before achieving playable prototypes, let alone commercial viability. Riot’s decision to recruit for such foundational projects indicates real dedication to investigating the ARPG genre within the League universe, though restraint will be necessary from enthusiastic players. The Shanghai studio’s participation in this initial stage enables the team to test out combat systems, mechanics and artistic direction without the burden of immediate deadlines or audience demands.
Looking ahead, the intersection of multiple League projects generates an intriguing development landscape for Riot Games. Should both the MMO and action RPG progress successfully, the publisher could position itself as a dominant force in cross-genre franchise development across the latter half of this decade. The hiring of Raymond Bartos to the MMO underscores Riot’s serious investment in delivering quality experiences rather than accelerating release timelines. Similarly, the careful, measured approach to the ARPG’s development suggests the company has learned from past missteps and now prioritises sustainable, properly funded production cycles within its portfolio of ambitious titles.
