Riot Games seems to be developing a League of Legends action RPG in secret, based on newly uncovered job listings published on the company’s recruitment page. Two temporary roles at Riot’s Shanghai studio—one for a Combat Game Designer and another for a character animator—suggest an early-stage research and development project is in progress, 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 building combat systems from the ground up using Unreal Engine. The discovery comes as Riot concurrently pushes its long-troubled League of Legends MMO into active production, indicating an ambitious expansion of the franchise throughout various game categories.
Shanghai Studio’s Confidential Initiative Emerges
The two job listings discovered on Riot’s careers page reveal that the Shanghai studio is actively recruiting for an unannounced action title set within the League of Legends universe. The Combat Designer role particularly highlights developing and refining combat systems from scratch, with candidates required 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 shape how players engage in any action-focused game. Meanwhile, the animation specialist vacancy seeks professionals with background in stylized character animation, suggesting Riot intends to preserve visual coherence with League’s signature visual style.
Whilst neither position advertisement explicitly names the project, both positions highlight League of Legends IP familiarity as a added advantage, clearly establishing Runeterra as the likely setting. The temporary structure of these roles generally suggests early-stage development, meaning the action role-playing game could still be years away from public reveal or release. This revelation highlights Riot’s overarching plan to expand the League brand away from its main MOBA game, following years of successful expansions into animated series, collectible card games and mobile titles. The parallel production of both an MMO and an action RPG showcases the organisation’s dedication to investigating multiple genres within the Runeterra universe.
- Action Game Designer role concentrates on action role-playing game mechanics development
- CG animator role emphasises stylised character animation proficiency
- Project uses Unreal Engine for game creation
- Contract positions suggest early-stage R&D phase presently underway
What the Job Postings Disclose
Combat Systems at the Core
The Combat Game Designer posting constitutes the core pillar of Riot’s action RPG aspirations, with the role directly charged with developing and refining combat mechanics from scratch. The role specification highlights applicants require deep expertise in action games and ARPGs, with specific emphasis on how combat feels to players, the underlying mechanics that drive engagement, and the AI systems that control enemy actions. This degree of detail indicates Riot is not merely implementing established combat systems but rather creating a custom system designed to provide a distinctive action experience within the League universe.
The priority placed on combat mechanics and feel indicates that Riot acknowledges the essential value of engaging, responsive gameplay in the action role-playing genre. By bringing on specialists who are skilled at creating immersive combat systems, the company is signalling its intention to establish itself within a saturated market of action-oriented titles. The demand for Unreal Engine proficiency further demonstrates that Riot is employing proven technology standards to accomplish its objectives, allowing the team to direct creative resources on what makes the game unique rather than developing custom tools from scratch.
Runeterra as the Probable Location
Although neither job posting explicitly identifies the project, both postings flag knowledge of League of Legends IP as a desirable qualification, placing Runeterra firmly in focus as the likely backdrop. This deliberate approach allows Riot to leverage the established narrative, character roster and world creation that has developed across multiple media formats, including the award-winning animation Arcane and the collectible card game Legends of Runeterra. Leveraging established IP minimises the creative workload of world-building whilst providing players 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 franchise strategy of developing interconnected experiences throughout various gaming genres. By anchoring 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 satisfy dedicated players. This strategy maximises the worth of the company’s creative efforts 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’ apparent work on a League of Legends action RPG represents a major broadening of the franchise’s aspirations beyond its beginnings as a competitive multiplayer online battle arena. The company has been progressively expanding the League universe through varied entertainment formats and gaming offerings, from the critically acclaimed Arcane animated series 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 throughout multiple different genres and mediums. The action RPG integrates seamlessly into this expansion strategy, offering players an completely new way to engage with the beloved intellectual property.
The timing of this project initiative proves especially noteworthy given Riot’s existing commitments to other League-connected projects. With the MMO still in active production following its 2024 reset and the appointment of ex-World of Warcraft director Raymond Bartos, the company is displaying remarkable confidence in the franchise’s capacity to support several significant launches simultaneously. This dual-project approach mirrors successful strategies employed by leading gaming studios with sprawling universes. By developing games across varied genres in parallel, Riot can sustain player interest through diverse gameplay whilst generating excitement for each individual release. The Shanghai studio’s involvement suggests 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 |
- Several League projects in progress at the same time across diverse studios and categories
- Runeterra universe extending via linked interactive experiences and multimedia adaptations
- Well-established IP permits Riot to utilise existing 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, likely years away from any official announcement or release. Early-stage research and development initiatives at major studios typically require substantial time before achieving functional prototypes, let alone commercial viability. Riot’s decision to recruit for such foundational projects indicates real dedication to exploring the ARPG genre within the League universe, though patience will be required from eager fans. The Shanghai studio’s participation in this foundational phase enables the team to test out gameplay mechanics, combat design and visual direction without the pressure of immediate deadlines or public expectations.
Looking ahead, the intersection 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 position itself as a dominant force in multi-genre franchise development during the latter half of this decade. The hiring of Raymond Bartos to the MMO reflects Riot’s serious investment in delivering quality experiences rather than accelerating release timelines. Similarly, the deliberate, understated approach to the ARPG’s development implies the company has learned from past missteps and now emphasises sustainable, well-resourced production cycles within its portfolio of major projects.
