Riot Games seems to be developing a League of Legends action RPG in secret, according to 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 highlighting 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 set within the League universe. The discovery arrives as Riot continues expanding the franchise beyond 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 Confidential Initiative Comes to Light
The two contract listings discovered on Riot’s jobs page reveal intriguing details about the Shanghai-based studio’s secret project. The Game Combat Designer role specifically seeks someone with extensive knowledge of action games and ARPGs, with particular emphasis on developing compelling combat feel, intuitive mechanics, and advanced AI systems. This suggests Riot is building something technically complex from the ground up, utilising Unreal Engine as the core technology. The job description shows the team is still in initial phases, continuously refining core systems rather than polishing an existing foundation.
Alongside the designer role, Riot is recruiting a CG animator experienced in stylised character work—a recruitment decision that hints at the artistic trajectory the project may take. Given League of Legends’ unique visual aesthetic, this animator would likely help create a cohesive aesthetic for the action RPG. Whilst contract roles at this early phase generally indicate projects remain some distance from launch, the pairing of these roles 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 test and refine fundamental gameplay mechanics.
- Combat Game Designer role focuses on action/ARPG mechanics development
- CG animator contributes stylized character animation expertise to project
- Initial research and development indicates years remain before potential release
- Unreal Engine chosen as main development platform for title
Combat Mechanics and Technical Specifications
What the Vacancies Indicate
The Combat Game Designer job listing provides valuable perspective into the project’s mechanical ambitions. Candidates need to show extensive knowledge in action-based games and ARPGs, with particular emphasis on creating engaging combat feel—a defining characteristic of successful titles in the genre. The role explicitly requires developing and refining on combat mechanics from scratch using Unreal Engine, indicating Riot intends to develop something distinctly different from League of Legends’ turn-based MOBA mechanics. The focus on AI development suggests the studio is designing sophisticated enemy behaviour systems, potentially for single-player or co-operative experiences rather than exclusively competitive gameplay.
The specification details presented within the listings reveal a methodical, systems-focused production strategy. Candidates are expected to work within a small, early-stage team where individual contributions carry substantial weight. The emphasis on “combat feel” rather than simply mechanical balance indicates Riot prioritises player sensation and responsiveness—qualities critical to modern action RPGs. This hiring strategy demonstrates the Shanghai studio is not rushing to production but rather investing time in testing and refining fundamental gameplay mechanics before expanding operations further.
- Strong proficiency in action and ARPG design mechanics required
- Combat feel and player feedback given priority over mechanical balance
- Development of AI systems suggests likely single-player or cooperative focus
- Unreal chosen as primary technical development engine
- Early prototyping phase indicates considerable time before market launch
Broadening the League of Legends Universe
Riot Games has traditionally positioned League of Legends as the foundation of an sprawling multimedia franchise, yet the company’s game development goals have traditionally centred on the original MOBA title itself. The revelation of a undisclosed action RPG project in development marks a significant shift in strategy, suggesting Riot aims to diversify its gaming portfolio across multiple genres rather than relying solely on League’s competitive ecosystem. This approach echoes established series like The Elder Scrolls or Final Fantasy, where a main entry coexists alongside supplementary titles that venture into different gaming experiences. By developing an ARPG based in Runeterra, Riot can leverage the deep storytelling and established character base whilst reaching players who prefer solo or cooperative gameplay over competitive multiplayer.
The timing of these initiatives is especially significant given Riot’s wide-ranging franchise expansion strategy. Alongside the action RPG project, the company has committed substantial resources in the extended-development League of Legends MMO, recruiting Raymond Bartos from World of Warcraft to accelerate production following a major overhaul in 2024. This parallel development path suggests Riot is pursuing an ambitious vision for Runeterra’s digital ecosystem. Rather than going head-to-head with one another, these endeavours appear created to address different market segments—the MMO catering to persistent-world enthusiasts whilst the ARPG serves players seeking story-driven, action-focused adventures. Together, they represent Riot’s most aggressive expansion of the League franchise beyond its MOBA origins.
| 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 |
Schedule and Future Development
Whilst the position listings offer intriguing evidence of the ARPG’s existence, Riot Games has preserved absolute silence concerning an formal reveal or release window. The contract positions listed on the company’s careers page indicate the project continues in early-stage research and development, indicating it could be a considerable time from launch. Industry observers versed in game development cycles point out that hiring for essential positions such as Combat Game Designer generally indicates the beginning stages of production rather than an near-term launch. This careful tempo allows Riot to establish robust combat mechanics and gameplay systems before expanding the team further, a sound method given the intense competition of action RPGs.
The Shanghai studio’s contribution in this endeavour reflects Riot’s worldwide development capabilities and the studio’s established track record in crafting engaging gameplay experiences. By positioning the ARPG project at this location rather than concentrating resources at a sole headquarters, Riot illustrates its support for distributed team structures that have generated favourable results across its portfolio. The company’s track record with League of Legends suggests gamers will receive a refined, well-designed experience whenever the ARPG finally releases. However, with the MMO also consuming considerable resources and effort, the ARPG may not materialise until 2027 or afterwards, based on completion targets and the company’s strategic priorities.
What Gamers Should Be Prepared For
Should the ARPG reach completion, players can look forward to a solo or multiplayer cooperative action experience situated in the rich tapestry of Runeterra, drawing upon the world’s existing lore and iconic champions. The spotlight on visual character craftsmanship and gameplay feel suggests Riot intends to provide intense, mechanically demanding gameplay rather than a straightforward dungeon crawler. Fans of story-focused action titles and those seeking a alternative take of League engagement may find the ARPG particularly appealing, presenting an departure from the competitive multiplayer focus that has characterised the franchise from its launch.
