Riot Games appears to be developing a League of Legends action RPG behind closed doors, based on 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 taking shape, 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 situated in the League universe. The discovery arrives 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 Comes to Light
The two contract listings found on Riot’s jobs page reveal intriguing details about the Shanghai studio’s mysterious undertaking. The Combat Game Designer role actively looks for someone with extensive knowledge of action games and ARPGs, with specific focus on developing compelling combat feel, responsive controls, and responsive artificial intelligence systems. This indicates Riot is building something technically complex from scratch, utilising Unreal Engine as the development platform. The posting indicates the team is still in initial phases, continuously refining core systems rather than polishing an established base.
Alongside the designer role, Riot is recruiting 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’ distinctive art style, this animator would probably help establish a unified visual approach for the action RPG. Whilst contract roles at this early phase generally indicate projects remain some distance from launch, the combination of these two positions suggests Riot has invested significant effort to investigating what an action-focused League experience might entail. The recruitment approach indicates the studio is assembling a dedicated, albeit small, core team to prototype and validate core gameplay concepts.
- Combat Game Designer role concentrates on action/ARPG mechanics development
- CG animator brings stylized character animation knowledge to project
- Early-stage R&D indicates considerable time remains before potential release
- Unreal Engine chosen as primary development platform for title
Combat Design and Technical Specifications
What the Job Listings Reveal
The Combat Game Designer posting offers valuable perspective into the project’s mechanical ambitions. Candidates need to show deep expertise in action games and ARPGs, with particular emphasis on creating engaging combat feel—a defining characteristic of acclaimed games in the genre. The role clearly demands building and iterating on combat mechanics from scratch using Unreal Engine, suggesting Riot plans to create something distinctly different from League of Legends’ turn-based MOBA mechanics. The emphasis on AI development suggests 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 presented within the listings reveal a systematic, process-driven production strategy. 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 places value on player sensation and responsiveness—qualities vital for contemporary action role-playing games. This hiring strategy indicates the Shanghai studio is not rushing to production but rather dedicating resources to prototyping and validating fundamental gameplay mechanics before expanding operations further.
- Extensive knowledge in action and ARPG design mechanics needed
- Combat sensation and player feedback prioritised over mechanical balance
- AI systems development indicates potential single-player or co-op emphasis
- Unreal Engine selected as primary technical development platform
- Early-stage prototyping phase indicates years before market launch
Expanding the League of Legends World
Riot Games has traditionally positioned League of Legends as the centrepiece of an expansive multimedia franchise, yet the company’s game development goals have traditionally centred on the original MOBA title itself. The disclosure of a undisclosed action RPG project in development marks a significant shift in strategy, suggesting Riot plans to diversify its game catalogue across different gameplay styles rather than depending exclusively on League’s esports infrastructure. This approach echoes established series like The Elder Scrolls or Final Fantasy, where a main entry coexists alongside secondary games that venture into different gaming experiences. By developing an ARPG based in Runeterra, Riot can leverage the rich lore and established character base whilst attracting players who prefer solo or cooperative gameplay over competitive multiplayer.
The pacing of these initiatives is particularly noteworthy given Riot’s extensive franchise growth plans. Alongside the action RPG project, the company has committed substantial resources in the long-in-development League of Legends MMO, recruiting Raymond Bartos from World of Warcraft to expedite the production process following a substantial restructuring in 2024. This dual-track approach suggests Riot is chasing an expansive vision for Runeterra’s interactive landscape. Rather than competing directly with one another, these projects appear created to address different audience segments—the MMO catering to persistent-world enthusiasts whilst the ARPG appeals to players looking for story-driven, action-focused adventures. Together, they constitute Riot’s most aggressive 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 |
Timeline and Development Outlook
Whilst the vacancy announcements offer intriguing evidence of the ARPG’s existence, Riot Games has upheld complete silence about an public statement or release window. The contract positions advertised on the company’s careers page point to the project remains in early-stage research and development, indicating it could be a considerable time from launch. Industry observers experienced in game development cycles note that hiring for foundational roles such as Combat Game Designer commonly represents the beginning stages of production rather than an upcoming release. This deliberate approach allows Riot to develop strong 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 contribution in this endeavour reflects Riot’s global development infrastructure and the studio’s established track record in developing immersive gameplay. By situating the ARPG project at this location rather than centralising operations at a unified central hub, Riot demonstrates its support for distributed team structures that have generated favourable results across its portfolio. The company’s track record with League of Legends suggests audiences should anticipate a polished, technically proficient offering whenever the ARPG ultimately launches. However, with the MMO also demanding significant resources and attention, the ARPG may not materialise until 2027 or afterwards, contingent upon project milestones and the company’s strategic priorities.
What Gamers Should Be Prepared For
Should the ARPG reach completion, players can expect a single-player or co-operative action experience situated in the vibrant world of Runeterra, drawing upon the universe’s established lore and fan-favourite champions. The spotlight on character design and combat mechanics suggests Riot intends to provide visceral, skill-based gameplay rather than a standard dungeon crawler. Fans of story-focused action titles and those looking for a fresh approach of League engagement may consider the ARPG notably attractive, offering an contrast with the pvp-focused focus that has defined the franchise from its launch.
