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 Systems Designer and another for a CG animator—suggest 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 officially announced the project, the postings suggest 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 multiple gaming genres.
Shanghai Studio Secret Project Emerges
The two contract postings discovered on Riot’s recruitment page reveal that the Shanghai studio is actively recruiting for an unreleased action game set within the League of Legends world. The Combat Designer role specifically emphasises 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, game mechanics and AI—fundamental components that would define the player experience in any action-focused game. Meanwhile, the animation specialist vacancy seeks experts in experience in stylised character work, suggesting Riot aims to maintain visual consistency with League’s distinctive art direction.
Whilst neither position advertisement explicitly references the project, both positions emphasise League of Legends IP knowledge as a desirable skill, firmly positioning Runeterra as the expected backdrop. The contract nature of these roles typically indicates early-stage development, meaning the action role-playing game could still be some time before official announcement or release. This finding underscores Riot’s wider approach to diversify the League series away from its main MOBA game, after periods of successful expansions into animated productions, collectible card games and handheld applications. The concurrent creation of both an MMO and an action role-playing game illustrates the company’s commitment to exploring different categories within the Runeterra universe.
- Combat Game Designer role focuses on action role-playing game mechanics development
- CG animator position highlights stylised character animation expertise
- Project uses Unreal Engine for game creation
- Contract roles indicate early-stage research and development phase currently underway
What the Employment Opportunities Show
Fighting Mechanics at the Heart
The Combat Game Designer posting constitutes the foundation of Riot’s action RPG aspirations, with the role directly charged with building and iterating on combat mechanics from scratch. The job description emphasises candidates must possess strong proficiency in action games and ARPGs, with particular focus on how combat feels to players, the core systems that foster player engagement, and the artificial intelligence systems that govern enemy behaviour. This level of specificity indicates Riot is not simply applying existing combat frameworks but rather developing a bespoke system designed to provide a unique action experience in the League universe.
The focus on combat feel and mechanics demonstrates that Riot acknowledges the critical importance of engaging, responsive gameplay in the action RPG genre. By hiring experts who understand how to craft engaging combat systems, the company is signalling its intention to compete seriously within a crowded marketplace of action-focused titles. The requirement for Unreal Engine expertise further demonstrates that Riot is leveraging industry-standard technology to accomplish its objectives, allowing the team to concentrate creative effort on the game’s distinctive elements rather than creating bespoke solutions from scratch.
Runeterra as the Probable Backdrop
Although neither position announcement explicitly names the project, both postings flag familiarity with League of Legends IP 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 developed across various platforms, including the acclaimed animated series Arcane and the trading card game Legends of Runeterra. Using existing intellectual property reduces the creative burden of world-building whilst offering audiences with recognisable elements that deepen engagement and investment in the narrative.
The decision to set the action RPG in Runeterra also aligns with Riot’s wider strategic approach of developing interconnected experiences throughout various gaming genres. By anchoring the new project to the same universe as the MMO, the card game and the animated series, Riot generates possibilities for cross-promotion and shared narrative threads that reward engaged fans. This approach maximises the value of the company’s creative efforts whilst positioning Runeterra as a comprehensive entertainment destination similar to well-known franchises like The Elder Scrolls or The Witcher.
Broadening the League Universe
Riot Games’ reported development of a League of Legends action RPG represents a major broadening of the franchise’s ambitions beyond its origins as a competitive multiplayer online battle arena. The company has been systematically broadening the League universe through varied entertainment formats and gaming offerings, from the highly praised Arcane animation to the Legends of Runeterra card game. This multi-pronged strategy transforms League from a standalone game property into a expansive entertainment platform, positioning Runeterra as a setting deserving exploration across multiple different genres and mediums. The action RPG integrates seamlessly into this growth plan, providing players an entirely different way to interact with the beloved intellectual property.
The timing of this project initiative demonstrates especially noteworthy given Riot’s existing commitments to other League-connected projects. With the MMO continuing development following its 2024 reset and the appointment of former World of Warcraft lead Raymond Bartos, the company is showing remarkable confidence in the franchise’s ability to support multiple major releases simultaneously. This two-project strategy mirrors proven approaches employed by other major gaming publishers with sprawling universes. By creating titles across different genres in parallel, Riot can maintain player engagement through varied experiences whilst building anticipation 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 |
- Multiple League titles in progress simultaneously across diverse studios and categories
- Runeterra universe growing through interconnected gaming experiences and media adaptations
- Well-established IP allows Riot to make use of current storyline and roster of characters effectively
Development Timeline and Prospects
The contract nature of the advertised roles suggests this action RPG remains in its infancy, likely years away from any official announcement or release. Early-stage research and development projects at large development houses generally demand substantial time before achieving functional prototypes, let alone commercial viability. Riot’s decision to recruit for such preliminary work demonstrates 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 foundational phase allows the team to test out combat systems, mechanics and artistic direction without the pressure of tight schedules or audience demands.
Looking ahead, the alignment of multiple League projects creates an compelling development landscape for Riot Games. Should both the MMO and action RPG advance favourably, the publisher could position itself as a dominant force in multi-genre franchise development during the latter half of this decade. The appointment of Raymond Bartos to the MMO demonstrates Riot’s substantial dedication in delivering quality experiences rather than rushing products to market. Similarly, the careful, measured approach to the ARPG’s development implies the company has learned from past missteps and now focuses on sustainable, adequately resourced production cycles across its portfolio of significant franchises.
