Riot Games seems to be developing a League of Legends action RPG in secret, based on 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 flagging 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 clearly suggests 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 Secret Project Emerges
The two contract postings discovered on Riot’s careers page unveil tantalising details about the Shanghai-based studio’s secret project. The Combat Game Designer role specifically seeks someone with deep expertise of action games and ARPGs, with particular emphasis on developing engaging combat experience, intuitive mechanics, and advanced AI systems. This suggests Riot is building something mechanically sophisticated from the ground up, using Unreal Engine as the core technology. The posting indicates the team is still in initial phases, continuously refining fundamental mechanics rather than refining an established base.
Alongside the designer role, Riot is hiring a CG animator experienced in stylised character work—a hiring choice that hints at the artistic trajectory the project may take. Given League of Legends’ distinctive art style, this animator would likely help establish a cohesive aesthetic for the action RPG. Whilst temporary positions at this developmental stage generally indicate projects remain some distance from launch, the combination of these two positions 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 focused though modest, core team to prototype and validate core gameplay concepts.
- Action Game Designer role concentrates on action-RPG systems development
- CG animator contributes stylized character animation knowledge to project
- Initial research and development suggests years remain before potential release
- Unreal Engine chosen as primary development platform for title
Combat Design and Technical Requirements
What Job Postings Show
The Combat Game Designer posting provides valuable perspective into the project’s mechanical ambitions. Candidates need to show deep expertise in action games and ARPGs, with particular emphasis on crafting satisfying combat feel—a hallmark of acclaimed games in the genre. The role clearly demands developing and refining on combat systems from scratch using Unreal Engine, suggesting Riot plans to create something fundamentally distinct from League of Legends’ turn-based MOBA mechanics. The focus on AI development indicates the studio is designing advanced enemy AI 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 development approach. 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 suggests Riot places value on user experience and feedback—qualities vital for contemporary action role-playing games. This recruitment approach demonstrates the Shanghai studio is not rushing to production but rather investing time in prototyping and validating core gameplay loops before expanding operations further.
- Deep expertise in action and ARPG game mechanics needed
- Combat feel and player feedback given priority over balance mechanics
- AI systems development points to likely single-player or cooperative focus
- Unreal Engine chosen as main development platform
- Early prototyping phase suggests considerable time before market launch
Broadening the League of Legends World
Riot Games has traditionally positioned League of Legends as the foundation of an expansive multimedia franchise, yet the company’s game development goals have historically centred on the original MOBA title itself. The revelation of a secret action RPG in production marks a significant shift in strategy, suggesting Riot intends to diversify its gaming portfolio across various genres rather than relying solely on League’s competitive ecosystem. This approach echoes established series like The Elder Scrolls or Final Fantasy, where a flagship title coexists alongside secondary games that delve into different play mechanics. By developing an ARPG based in Runeterra, Riot can capitalise on the deep storytelling and established character base whilst reaching players who prefer single-player or co-operative experiences over multiplayer competition.
The pacing of these developments is particularly noteworthy given Riot’s wide-ranging franchise expansion strategy. Alongside the action role-playing game project, the company has poured significant investment in the long-in-development League of Legends MMO, hiring Raymond Bartos from World of Warcraft to speed up development following a major overhaul in 2024. This parallel development path suggests Riot is chasing an expansive vision for Runeterra’s gaming environment. Rather than going head-to-head with one another, these initiatives appear intended to cater to different audience segments—the MMO targeting persistent-world enthusiasts whilst the ARPG appeals to players looking for story-driven, action-focused adventures. Together, they represent Riot’s boldest expansion of the League franchise past its MOBA foundations.
| 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 vacancy announcements offer intriguing evidence of the ARPG’s existence, Riot Games has upheld complete silence concerning an formal reveal or availability date. The contract positions listed on the company’s careers page indicate the project remains in foundational development stages, implying it could be a considerable time from launch. Industry observers versed in game development cycles note that hiring for core positions such as Combat Game Designer generally indicates the early phases of production rather than an near-term launch. This careful tempo 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 involvement in this project reflects Riot’s international development framework and the studio’s proven expertise in crafting engaging gameplay experiences. By positioning the ARPG project at this facility rather than centralising operations at a unified central hub, Riot showcases its commitment to distributed development practices that have produced successful outcomes across its product lineup. The company’s track record with League of Legends suggests players can expect a polished, mechanically sound experience whenever the ARPG finally releases. However, with the MMO also requiring substantial investment and focus, the ARPG could not launch until 2027 or beyond, based on development milestones and Riot’s internal priorities.
What Gamers Should Be Prepared For
Should the ARPG be finished, players can anticipate a solo or multiplayer cooperative action experience set within the rich tapestry of Runeterra, drawing upon the universe’s established lore and beloved champions. The emphasis on visual character craftsmanship and combat mechanics suggests Riot intends to provide intense, mechanically demanding gameplay rather than a straightforward dungeon crawler. Fans of character-rich action titles and those looking for a alternative take of League engagement may find the ARPG particularly appealing, providing an departure from the pvp-focused focus that has characterised the franchise from its launch.
