Riot Games seems to be developing a League of Legends action role-playing game in secret, according to recently discovered job listings published on the company’s careers page. Two temporary roles at Riot’s Shanghai studio—one for a Combat Game Designer and another for a character animator—indicate an early-stage research and development project is in progress, with both roles highlighting familiarity with the League of Legends IP as a preferred requirement. Whilst the company has not officially announced the project, the postings suggest a compact team is developing combat systems from the ground up using Unreal Engine. The discovery comes as Riot concurrently pushes its long-problematic League of Legends MMO into full development, signalling an ambitious expansion of the franchise across multiple gaming genres.
Shanghai Studio Confidential Initiative Comes to Light
The two contract postings discovered on Riot’s recruitment page reveal that the Shanghai studio is hiring for an unreleased action game set within the League of Legends universe. The Combat Game Designer role particularly highlights developing and refining combat systems from scratch, with candidates expected to show extensive expertise of action titles and role-playing games. The position highlights the importance of combat feel, mechanics and artificial intelligence—fundamental components that would shape how players engage in any action-oriented title. Meanwhile, the CG animator vacancy seeks professionals with background in stylized character animation, suggesting Riot aims to maintain visual consistency with League’s signature visual style.
Whilst neither position advertisement explicitly identifies the project, both positions emphasise League of Legends IP knowledge as a added advantage, firmly positioning Runeterra as the likely setting. The fixed-term character of these roles typically indicates preliminary creation stages, meaning the action role-playing game could still be some time before formal declaration or launch. This finding reinforces Riot’s wider approach to broaden the League series outside its primary MOBA game, after periods of thriving extensions into animated productions, trading card games and handheld applications. The parallel production of both an MMO and an action RPG showcases the firm’s resolve to examining different categories within the Runeterra universe.
- Action Game Designer role concentrates on action role-playing game mechanics creation
- CG animator position emphasises stylized character animation proficiency
- Project uses Unreal Engine for game development
- Contract positions indicate early-stage research and development phase currently underway
What the Position Advertisements Disclose
Fighting Mechanics at the Core
The Combat Game Designer posting represents the foundation of Riot’s action RPG ambitions, with the role directly charged with building and iterating on combat mechanics from the ground up. The job description emphasises applicants require strong proficiency in action games and action RPGs, with specific emphasis on the player experience of combat, the core systems that drive engagement, and the artificial intelligence systems that control enemy actions. This degree of detail indicates Riot is not simply applying established combat systems but rather creating a custom system tailored to deliver a distinctive action experience within the League universe.
The focus on combat mechanics and feel indicates that Riot recognises the vital significance of responsive, satisfying gameplay in the action RPG genre. By hiring experts who are skilled at creating engaging combat systems, the company is indicating its plan to compete effectively within a crowded marketplace of action-driven games. The requirement for Unreal Engine proficiency additionally shows that Riot is employing established industry tools to accomplish its objectives, enabling the team to direct creative resources on what makes the game unique rather than developing custom tools from scratch.
Runeterra as the Likely Location
Although neither position announcement explicitly identifies the project, both postings highlight knowledge of League of Legends intellectual property as a preferred requirement, placing Runeterra squarely in the frame as the probable setting. This deliberate approach allows Riot to tap into the existing lore, cast of characters and world creation that has evolved throughout various platforms, including the acclaimed animated series Arcane and the collectible card game Legends of Runeterra. Using existing intellectual property reduces the creative burden of world-building whilst offering audiences with familiar components that deepen engagement and investment in the narrative.
The choice to place the action RPG in Runeterra also supports Riot’s broader franchise strategy of creating interconnected experiences throughout various gaming genres. By tying the new project to the same universe as the MMO, the card game and the animated series, Riot generates possibilities for cross-promotional activities and interconnected storylines that reward engaged fans. This strategy maximises the value of the company’s creative efforts whilst establishing Runeterra as a complete entertainment hub similar to established franchises like The Elder Scrolls or The Witcher.
Growing the League Universe
Riot Games’ reported development of a League of Legends action RPG constitutes a significant expansion of the franchise’s aspirations beyond its beginnings as a competitive team-based online game. The company has been progressively expanding the League universe through diverse media and gaming experiences, from the highly praised Arcane animation to the Legends of Runeterra card game. This multifaceted approach converts League from a standalone game property into a expansive entertainment platform, positioning Runeterra as a world worthy of exploration throughout multiple genres and platforms. The action RPG fits naturally into this growth plan, offering players an entirely different way to interact with the cherished game world.
The timing of this project initiative proves especially noteworthy given Riot’s existing commitments to other League-related projects. With the MMO continuing development following its 2024 reset and the appointment of former World of Warcraft lead Raymond Bartos, the company is demonstrating remarkable confidence in the franchise’s capacity to support multiple major releases simultaneously. This two-project strategy mirrors proven approaches employed by leading gaming studios with sprawling universes. By creating titles across different genres in parallel, Riot can sustain player interest through diverse gameplay 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 titles in development simultaneously across different studios and types
- Runeterra world extending by means of linked interactive experiences and cross-media expansions
- Well-established IP allows Riot to leverage current storyline and character lineups successfully
Development Schedule and Outlook
The contract nature of the advertised roles suggests this action role-playing game remains in its infancy, probably several years before any public reveal or release. Early-stage research and development initiatives at major studios typically require substantial time before reaching playable prototypes, let alone market readiness. Riot’s decision to recruit for such foundational projects demonstrates real dedication to exploring the ARPG category within the League universe, though restraint will be necessary from eager fans. The Shanghai studio’s participation in this foundational phase allows the team to test out gameplay mechanics, combat design and visual direction without the pressure of immediate deadlines or audience demands.
Looking ahead, the alignment of multiple League projects creates an compelling development landscape for Riot Games. Should both the MMO and action RPG develop as planned, the publisher could establish itself as a dominant force in cross-genre franchise development throughout the latter half of this decade. The recruitment of Raymond Bartos to the MMO reflects Riot’s substantial dedication in creating quality products rather than accelerating release timelines. Similarly, the careful, measured approach to the ARPG’s development suggests the company has addressed prior shortcomings and now focuses on sustainable, properly funded production cycles across its portfolio of ambitious titles.
