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—indicate an early-stage project is taking shape, with both roles flagging 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 arrives 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 Secret Project Emerges
The two contract postings found on Riot’s careers page reveal intriguing details about the Shanghai-based studio’s mysterious undertaking. The Game Combat Designer role actively looks for someone with deep expertise of action games and ARPGs, with particular emphasis on crafting compelling combat feel, intuitive mechanics, and responsive artificial intelligence systems. This suggests Riot is developing something mechanically sophisticated from scratch, using Unreal Engine as the development platform. The job description shows the team is still in initial phases, continuously refining 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 hiring choice that hints at the visual direction the project may take. Given League of Legends’ distinctive art style, this animator would probably help establish a unified visual approach for the action RPG. Whilst temporary positions at this early phase generally indicate projects remain years away from launch, the pairing of these roles suggests Riot has committed meaningful resources to exploring what an action-focused League experience might entail. The recruitment approach indicates the studio is assembling a dedicated, albeit small, core team to prototype and validate fundamental gameplay mechanics.
- Combat Game Designer role focuses on action/ARPG mechanics development
- CG animator contributes stylised character animation expertise to project
- Early-stage R&D suggests considerable time remains before possible launch
- Unreal Engine chosen as main development platform for title
Combat Design and Technical Requirements
What These Listings Demonstrate
The Combat Game Designer posting offers valuable perspective into the project’s mechanical ambitions. Candidates must demonstrate extensive knowledge in action-based games and ARPGs, with particular emphasis on crafting satisfying combat feel—a defining characteristic of successful titles in the genre. The role clearly demands developing and refining on combat systems from scratch using Unreal Engine, suggesting Riot intends to develop something fundamentally distinct from League of Legends’ turn-based MOBA mechanics. The focus on AI development suggests the studio is building advanced enemy AI systems, possibly intended for single-player and co-operative experiences rather than exclusively competitive gameplay.
The technical requirements presented within the listings illustrate a methodical, systems-focused production strategy. Candidates are required to work within a small, early-stage team where personal input carry substantial weight. The focus on “combat feel” rather than merely mechanical balance suggests Riot prioritises player sensation and responsiveness—qualities critical to modern action RPGs. This hiring strategy demonstrates the Shanghai studio is avoiding hasty moves toward production but rather investing time in prototyping and validating core gameplay loops before scaling the project further.
- Extensive knowledge in action games and ARPG design mechanics required
- Combat feel and player responsiveness prioritised over mechanical balance
- Development of AI systems indicates potential single-player or cooperative emphasis
- Unreal selected as main development platform
- Early prototyping stage suggests considerable time until market launch
Broadening the League of Legends World
Riot Games has long positioned League of Legends as the centrepiece of an sprawling multimedia franchise, yet the company’s gaming ambitions have historically centred on the original MOBA title itself. The disclosure of a secret action RPG in production marks a major pivot in strategy, suggesting Riot plans to diversify its game catalogue across multiple genres rather than relying solely on League’s esports infrastructure. This approach reflects successful franchises like The Elder Scrolls or Final Fantasy, where a flagship title coexists alongside secondary games that venture into different play mechanics. By producing an ARPG set within Runeterra, Riot can tap into the extensive mythology and established character base whilst attracting players who prefer solo or cooperative gameplay over multiplayer competition.
The timing of these advancements is particularly noteworthy given Riot’s wide-ranging franchise expansion strategy. Alongside the action RPG project, the company has poured significant investment in the long-gestating League of Legends MMO, bringing on Raymond Bartos from World of Warcraft to expedite the production process following a significant reset in 2024. This two-pronged strategy suggests Riot is chasing an expansive vision for Runeterra’s digital ecosystem. Rather than competing directly with one another, these initiatives appear intended to cater to different player demographics—the MMO serving persistent-world enthusiasts whilst the ARPG appeals to players seeking compelling story-based action gameplay. Together, they represent Riot’s most ambitious growth 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 job postings offer intriguing evidence of the ARPG’s existence, Riot Games has preserved absolute silence about an formal reveal or availability date. The contract positions listed on the company’s careers page suggest the project is still in foundational development stages, implying 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 measured pace allows Riot to establish robust combat mechanics and gameplay systems ahead of growing the team further, a practical strategy given the intense competition of action RPGs.
The Shanghai studio’s contribution in this endeavour reflects Riot’s global development infrastructure and the studio’s demonstrated proficiency in developing immersive gameplay. By positioning the ARPG project at this site rather than consolidating efforts at a single headquarters, Riot demonstrates its commitment to distributed development practices that have yielded positive results across its product lineup. 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 requiring substantial investment and focus, the ARPG may not materialise until 2027 or later, contingent upon project milestones and Riot’s internal priorities.
What Participants Should Anticipate
Should the ARPG be finished, players can look forward to a single-player or co-operative action experience situated in the vibrant world of Runeterra, utilising the world’s existing lore and iconic champions. The emphasis on character design and combat feel suggests Riot seeks to create intense, mechanically demanding gameplay rather than a straightforward dungeon crawler. Fans of story-focused action titles and those seeking a fresh approach of League engagement may consider the ARPG particularly appealing, providing an departure from the competitive online multiplayer focus that has defined the franchise from its launch.
