Riot Games seems to be developing a League of Legends action RPG behind closed doors, 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—indicate an early-stage project is taking shape, with both roles highlighting familiarity with the League of Legends IP as a desirable qualification. Neither listing formally identifies the project, but the emphasis on action gameplay mechanics and Runeterra expertise clearly suggests the title will be situated in the League universe. The discovery comes 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 Confidential Initiative Emerges
The two contract listings found on Riot’s careers page reveal intriguing details about the Shanghai-based studio’s mysterious undertaking. The Combat Game Designer role actively looks for someone with extensive knowledge of action games and action RPGs, with specific focus on crafting compelling combat feel, responsive controls, and advanced AI systems. This suggests Riot is building something technically complex from the ground up, utilising Unreal Engine as the development platform. The job description indicates the team is still in initial phases, actively iterating on fundamental mechanics rather than polishing an existing foundation.
Alongside the designer role, Riot is hiring a CG animator with expertise 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 create a cohesive aesthetic for the action RPG. Whilst contract roles at this developmental stage 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 building 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 contributes stylised character animation knowledge to project
- Early-stage R&D suggests considerable time remains before potential release
- Unreal Engine selected as main development platform for title
Combat Design and Technical Specifications
What the Job Listings Reveal
The Combat Game Designer job listing provides crucial insight into the project’s mechanical ambitions. Candidates must demonstrate deep expertise in action games and ARPGs, with particular emphasis on creating engaging combat feel—a hallmark of acclaimed games in the genre. The role clearly demands building and iterating on combat mechanics from scratch using Unreal Engine, indicating Riot plans to create something distinctly different from League of Legends’ turn-based MOBA mechanics. The emphasis on AI development indicates the studio is designing sophisticated enemy behaviour systems, potentially for single-player or co-operative experiences rather than purely competitive gameplay.
The technical requirements outlined in the listings paint a picture of a systematic, process-driven production strategy. Candidates are expected to work within a compact, nascent team where individual contributions hold significant importance. The focus on “combat feel” rather than merely mechanical balance suggests Riot prioritises user experience and feedback—qualities vital for modern action RPGs. This recruitment approach indicates the Shanghai studio is avoiding hasty moves toward production but rather investing time in testing and refining fundamental gameplay mechanics before expanding operations further.
- Deep expertise in action games and ARPG design mechanics required
- Combat sensation and player responsiveness prioritised over mechanical balance
- AI systems development points to likely single-player or co-op emphasis
- Unreal Engine selected as main technical development engine
- Early prototyping phase suggests years before commercial release
Expanding the League of Legends Universe
Riot Games has traditionally positioned League of Legends as the cornerstone of an extensive multimedia franchise, yet the company’s game development goals have conventionally centred on the original MOBA title itself. The disclosure of a undisclosed action RPG project in development marks a major pivot in strategy, suggesting Riot plans to diversify its gaming portfolio across various genres rather than relying solely on League’s competitive ecosystem. This approach mirrors successful franchises like The Elder Scrolls or Final Fantasy, where a main entry coexists alongside secondary games that venture into different play mechanics. By developing an ARPG based in Runeterra, Riot can leverage the extensive mythology and established character base whilst reaching players who prefer single-player or co-operative experiences over competitive multiplayer.
The timing of these advancements is especially significant given Riot’s broader franchise expansion efforts. Alongside the action RPG initiative, the company has invested heavily in the extended-development League of Legends MMO, bringing on Raymond Bartos from World of Warcraft to speed up development following a substantial restructuring in 2024. This dual-track approach suggests Riot is pursuing an ambitious vision for Runeterra’s digital ecosystem. Rather than competing directly with one another, these projects appear intended to cater to different market segments—the MMO targeting persistent-world enthusiasts whilst the ARPG appeals to players looking for narrative-driven action experiences. Together, they represent 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 |
Timeframe and Growth Prospects
Whilst the position listings offer intriguing evidence of the ARPG’s existence, Riot Games has upheld complete silence concerning an official announcement or release window. The contract positions listed on the company’s careers page point to the project remains in initial R&D phases, indicating it could be years distant from launch. Industry observers familiar with game development cycles observe that hiring for foundational roles such as Combat Game Designer generally indicates the initial stages of production rather than an upcoming release. This careful tempo allows Riot to establish robust combat mechanics and gameplay systems ahead of growing the team further, a practical strategy given the competitive landscape of action RPGs.
The Shanghai studio’s participation in this endeavour reflects Riot’s international development framework and the studio’s established track record in developing immersive gameplay. By positioning the ARPG project at this site rather than consolidating efforts at a sole headquarters, Riot showcases its dedication to decentralised development approaches that have produced successful outcomes across its range of titles. The company’s experience developing League of Legends suggests gamers will receive a refined, well-designed experience whenever the ARPG ultimately launches. However, with the MMO also consuming considerable resources and effort, the ARPG may not materialise until 2027 or beyond, depending on development milestones and Riot’s resource allocation decisions.
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 universe’s established lore and beloved champions. The spotlight on visual character craftsmanship and gameplay feel suggests Riot aims to deliver visceral, skill-based gameplay rather than a straightforward dungeon crawler. Fans of narrative-driven action titles and those looking for a alternative take of League engagement may find the ARPG notably attractive, offering an departure from the competitive online multiplayer focus that has shaped the franchise from its launch.
