Riot Games seems to be developing a League of Legends action role-playing game in secret, based on newly uncovered job listings published on 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—indicate an early-stage research and development project is in progress, with both roles flagging familiarity with the League of Legends IP as a preferred requirement. Whilst the company has not formally revealed the project, the postings suggest a compact team is developing fighting mechanics from the beginning using Unreal Engine. The discovery comes as Riot concurrently pushes its long-problematic League of Legends MMO into active production, signalling an ambitious expansion of the franchise throughout various game categories.
Shanghai Studio’s Secret Project Emerges
The two contract postings discovered on Riot’s careers page reveal that the Shanghai studio is hiring for an unannounced action title set within the League of Legends universe. The Combat Designer role specifically emphasises developing and refining combat systems from scratch, with candidates expected to show extensive expertise of action titles and role-playing games. The position underscores the significance of combat feel, game mechanics and AI—core elements that would shape how players engage in any action-focused game. Meanwhile, the CG animator position seeks experts in experience in stylised character work, suggesting Riot aims to preserve visual coherence with League’s signature visual style.
Whilst neither vacancy listing explicitly references the project, both positions emphasise League of Legends IP understanding as a bonus qualification, strongly suggesting Runeterra as the probable location. The fixed-term character of these roles generally suggests early-stage development, meaning the action role-playing game could still be some time before public reveal or publication. This discovery reinforces Riot’s wider approach to expand the League series away from its main MOBA game, after periods of prosperous ventures into animated productions, card games and handheld applications. The parallel production of both an MMO and an action role-playing game showcases the firm’s resolve to exploring different categories within the Runeterra universe.
- Action Game Designer role focuses on action role-playing game mechanics creation
- CG animator position highlights stylised character animation expertise
- Project utilises Unreal Engine for game development
- Contract positions suggest early-stage research and development phase currently underway
What the Job Postings Disclose
Battle Systems at the Centre
The Combat Game Designer role forms the core pillar of Riot’s action RPG aspirations, with the position directly charged with developing and refining combat mechanics from the ground up. The job description stresses applicants require deep expertise in action games and ARPGs, with specific emphasis on the player experience of combat, the core systems that drive engagement, and the artificial intelligence systems that govern enemy behaviour. This degree of detail indicates Riot is not simply applying established combat systems but rather building a tailored system designed to provide a distinctive action experience in the League universe.
The priority placed on combat mechanics and feel demonstrates that Riot recognises the essential value of satisfying, responsive gameplay in the action RPG genre. By recruiting specialists who know how to develop compelling combat mechanics, the company is signalling its intention to compete seriously within a saturated market of action-focused titles. The demand for Unreal Engine expertise additionally shows that Riot is utilising industry-standard technology to achieve its vision, enabling the team to concentrate creative effort on the game’s distinctive elements rather than building proprietary tools from scratch.
Runeterra as the Plausible Location
Although neither position announcement explicitly names the project, both postings highlight familiarity with League of Legends intellectual property as a preferred requirement, placing Runeterra firmly in focus as the probable setting. This deliberate approach allows Riot to leverage the existing lore, character roster and world creation that has developed across various platforms, including the acclaimed animated series Arcane and the trading card game Legends of Runeterra. Leveraging established IP reduces the creative burden of world-building whilst offering audiences with familiar components that enhance immersion and investment in the narrative.
The choice to set the action RPG in Runeterra also supports Riot’s broader franchise strategy of developing linked gameplay experiences across different gaming genres. By tying the new project to the same universe as the MMO, the card game and the animated series, Riot creates opportunities for cross-promotional activities and interconnected storylines that reward engaged fans. This approach enhances the worth of the company’s creative investments whilst positioning Runeterra as a complete entertainment hub comparable to well-known franchises like The Elder Scrolls or The Witcher.
Growing the League Universe
Riot Games’ apparent work on a League of Legends action RPG constitutes a major broadening of the franchise’s aspirations beyond its beginnings as a competitive team-based online game. The company has been systematically broadening the League universe through diverse media and gaming experiences, from the highly praised Arcane animation to the Legends of Runeterra collectible card game. This multi-pronged strategy converts League from a single-game franchise into a expansive entertainment platform, positioning Runeterra as a setting deserving exploration across multiple genres and platforms. The action RPG integrates seamlessly into this expansion strategy, providing players an entirely different way to interact with the beloved intellectual property.
The release window of this project initiative demonstrates notably noteworthy given Riot’s current obligations to other League-connected projects. With the MMO continuing development following its 2024 reset and the hiring of ex-World of Warcraft director Raymond Bartos, the company is showing remarkable confidence in the franchise’s capacity to support multiple major releases simultaneously. This dual-project approach 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 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 projects under development simultaneously across diverse studios and types
- Runeterra world extending via linked interactive experiences and media adaptations
- Well-established IP allows Riot to make use of established storyline and roster of characters effectively
Development Schedule and Outlook
The contractual status of the posted positions suggests this action RPG remains in its early stages, probably several years before any official announcement or release. Early-stage research and development initiatives at large development houses typically require considerable duration before reaching playable prototypes, let alone market readiness. Riot’s willingness to hire for such preliminary work demonstrates real dedication to exploring the ARPG category within the League universe, though restraint will be necessary from enthusiastic players. The Shanghai studio’s participation in this foundational phase allows the team to experiment with gameplay mechanics, combat design and visual direction without the burden of immediate deadlines or public expectations.
Looking ahead, the convergence of multiple League projects generates an intriguing development landscape for Riot Games. Should both the MMO and action RPG develop as planned, the publisher could cement its status as a dominant force in cross-genre franchise development across the latter half of this decade. The hiring of Raymond Bartos to the MMO underscores Riot’s serious investment in creating quality products rather than pushing products out quickly. Similarly, the careful, measured approach to the ARPG’s development implies the company has learned from past missteps and now prioritises sustainable, well-resourced production cycles across its portfolio of major projects.
