Riot Games seems to be developing a League of Legends action role-playing game in confidentiality, according to recently discovered 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 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 suggest a compact team is building 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’s Secret Project Surfaces
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 Game 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, mechanics and artificial intelligence—core elements that would shape how players engage in any action-focused game. Meanwhile, the animation specialist position seeks professionals with experience in stylised character work, suggesting Riot aims to maintain visual consistency with League’s signature visual style.
Whilst neither position advertisement explicitly names the project, both positions flag League of Legends IP knowledge as a bonus qualification, firmly positioning Runeterra as the expected backdrop. The temporary structure of these roles typically indicates early-stage development, meaning the action role-playing game could still be a considerable period from official announcement or release. This revelation reinforces Riot’s wider approach to diversify the League franchise outside its primary MOBA game, after periods of prosperous ventures into animation projects, trading card games and mobile games. The simultaneous development of both an MMO and an action role-playing game showcases the firm’s resolve to examining multiple genres within the Runeterra universe.
- Combat Game Designer role focuses on action/ARPG mechanics creation
- CG animator position emphasises stylized character animation expertise
- Project utilises Unreal Engine for game development
- Contract roles indicate early-stage research and development phase currently underway
What the Position Advertisements Demonstrate
Combat Systems at the Core
The Action Game Combat Designer posting represents the core pillar of Riot’s action RPG ambitions, with the position directly charged with building and iterating on combat systems from scratch. The job description stresses applicants require extensive experience in action games and action RPGs, with specific emphasis on the player experience of combat, the underlying mechanics that drive engagement, and the artificial intelligence systems that control enemy actions. This level of specificity indicates Riot is not simply applying existing combat frameworks but rather creating a custom system designed to provide a unique action experience in the League universe.
The focus on combat mechanics and feel demonstrates that Riot recognises the vital significance of engaging, responsive gameplay in the action-based RPG genre. By hiring experts who know how to develop compelling combat mechanics, the company is indicating its plan to compete seriously within a crowded marketplace of action-focused titles. The need for Unreal Engine proficiency further demonstrates that Riot is utilising proven technology standards to accomplish its objectives, allowing the team to direct creative resources on the game’s distinctive elements rather than creating bespoke solutions from scratch.
Runeterra as the Likely Location
Although neither job posting explicitly identifies the project, both postings highlight familiarity with 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 award-winning animation Arcane and the collectible card game Legends of Runeterra. Using existing intellectual property minimises the creative workload of world-building whilst providing players with familiar components that enhance immersion and investment in the narrative.
The choice to set the action RPG within Runeterra also supports Riot’s broader strategic approach of creating linked gameplay 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 creates opportunities for cross-promotion and shared narrative threads that satisfy dedicated players. This approach enhances the worth of the company’s creative investments whilst establishing Runeterra as a comprehensive entertainment destination similar to well-known franchises like The Elder Scrolls or The Witcher.
Broadening the League Universe
Riot Games’ apparent development of a League of Legends action RPG represents a major broadening of the franchise’s aspirations beyond its origins 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 animated series to the Legends of Runeterra collectible card game. This multi-pronged strategy transforms League from a single-game franchise into a comprehensive entertainment ecosystem, positioning Runeterra as a world worthy of exploration throughout multiple genres and platforms. The action RPG integrates seamlessly into this growth plan, providing players an completely new way to interact with the cherished game world.
The scheduling of this development effort stands as especially noteworthy given Riot’s existing commitments to other League-related 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 showing remarkable confidence in the franchise’s capacity to support several significant launches simultaneously. This two-project strategy mirrors successful strategies employed by other major gaming publishers with sprawling universes. By developing games across varied genres in parallel, Riot can sustain player interest through varied experiences whilst generating excitement 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 |
- Multiple League initiatives in progress simultaneously throughout different studios and genres
- Runeterra universe extending through linked interactive experiences and multimedia adaptations
- Well-established IP allows Riot to leverage current storyline and character lineups successfully
Timeline and Development Outlook
The contractual status of the posted positions suggests this action RPG remains in its infancy, likely years away from any public reveal or release. Early-stage research and development initiatives at major studios generally demand substantial time before reaching playable prototypes, let alone market readiness. Riot’s decision to recruit for such preliminary work indicates genuine commitment to investigating the ARPG category 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 gameplay mechanics, combat design and visual direction without the burden of tight schedules or audience demands.
Looking ahead, the intersection of multiple League projects generates an compelling development landscape for Riot Games. Should both the MMO and action RPG advance favourably, the publisher could cement its status as a dominant force in genre-spanning franchise development throughout the latter half of this decade. The recruitment of Raymond Bartos to the MMO demonstrates Riot’s serious investment in producing quality content rather than pushing products out quickly. Similarly, the careful, measured approach to the ARPG’s development indicates the company has learned from past missteps and now prioritises sustainable, well-resourced production cycles within its portfolio of major projects.
