Riot Games seems to be developing a League of Legends action RPG in confidentiality, based on 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-phase R&D project is underway, with both roles flagging familiarity with the League of Legends IP as a desirable qualification. Whilst the company has not formally revealed the project, the postings suggest a small team is developing combat systems from the beginning using Unreal Engine. The discovery comes as Riot concurrently pushes its long-troubled League of Legends MMO into active production, signalling an significant growth of the franchise across multiple gaming genres.
Shanghai Studio’s Hidden Venture Comes to Light
The two job listings found on Riot’s careers page reveal that the Shanghai studio is hiring for an unannounced action title set within the League of Legends world. The Combat Game Designer role particularly highlights developing and refining combat systems from scratch, with candidates expected to demonstrate deep knowledge of action titles and role-playing games. The position underscores the significance of combat feel, mechanics and artificial intelligence—fundamental components that would define the player experience in any action-oriented title. Meanwhile, the CG animator position seeks professionals with experience in stylized character animation, suggesting Riot intends to maintain visual consistency with League’s signature visual style.
Whilst neither vacancy listing explicitly identifies the project, both positions emphasise League of Legends IP knowledge as a bonus qualification, firmly positioning Runeterra as the expected backdrop. The temporary structure of these roles usually points to early-stage development, meaning the action RPG could still be a considerable period from formal declaration or publication. This discovery highlights Riot’s broader strategy to broaden the League franchise outside its primary MOBA game, following years of successful expansions into animated productions, collectible card games and mobile games. The simultaneous development of both an MMO and an action RPG illustrates the company’s commitment to investigating various game types within the Runeterra universe.
- Combat Game Designer role concentrates on action role-playing game mechanics creation
- CG animator role emphasises stylized character animation proficiency
- Project uses Unreal Engine for game creation
- Contract roles suggest early-stage R&D phase currently underway
What the Employment Opportunities Disclose
Combat Systems at the Centre
The Action Game Combat Designer posting forms the cornerstone of Riot’s action RPG ambitions, with the position directly charged with building and iterating on combat systems from the ground up. The role specification highlights applicants require deep expertise 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 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 unique action experience within the League universe.
The priority placed on combat mechanics and feel indicates that Riot acknowledges the vital significance of satisfying, responsive gameplay in the action role-playing genre. By recruiting specialists who know how to develop engaging combat systems, the company is indicating its plan to compete seriously within a crowded marketplace of action-oriented titles. The requirement for Unreal Engine expertise additionally shows that Riot is employing proven technology standards to realise its goals, allowing the team to concentrate creative effort on what sets the game apart rather than developing custom tools from scratch.
Runeterra as the Likely Location
Although neither job posting explicitly names the project, both postings flag knowledge of League of Legends IP as a desirable qualification, placing Runeterra squarely in the frame as the likely backdrop. This strategic positioning allows Riot to tap into the established narrative, character roster and worldbuilding that has developed across various platforms, including the acclaimed animated series Arcane and the trading card game Legends of Runeterra. Leveraging established IP minimises the creative workload of world-building whilst offering audiences with familiar components that enhance immersion and investment in the narrative.
The decision to set the action RPG in Runeterra also supports Riot’s wider franchise strategy of creating interconnected experiences across different gaming genres. By anchoring the new project to the identical universe as the MMO, the card game and the animated series, Riot generates possibilities for cross-promotional activities and interconnected storylines that satisfy dedicated players. This approach enhances the value of the company’s creative efforts whilst establishing Runeterra as a complete entertainment hub comparable to well-known franchises like The Elder Scrolls or The Witcher.
Broadening the League Universe
Riot Games’ apparent work on a League of Legends action RPG constitutes a major broadening of the franchise’s ambitions beyond its beginnings as a competitive multiplayer online battle arena. The company has been systematically broadening the League universe through diverse media and gaming experiences, from the critically acclaimed Arcane animation to the Legends of Runeterra card game. This multi-pronged strategy converts League from a standalone game property into a expansive entertainment platform, positioning Runeterra as a world worthy of exploration throughout multiple different genres and mediums. The action RPG fits naturally into this growth plan, offering players an entirely different way to engage with the cherished game world.
The timing of this project initiative stands as particularly 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 displaying remarkable confidence in the franchise’s ability to support several significant launches simultaneously. This dual-project approach mirrors successful strategies employed by other major gaming publishers with sprawling universes. By creating titles across different genres in parallel, Riot can sustain player interest through varied experiences whilst building anticipation for each individual release. The Shanghai studio’s involvement suggests the company is distributing development 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 |
- Several League titles in development simultaneously across different studios and genres
- Runeterra setting growing via integrated gaming experiences and cross-media expansions
- Well-established IP permits Riot to make use of established lore and character lineups successfully
Timeline and Future Outlook
The contract nature of the advertised roles suggests this action role-playing game remains in its infancy, likely years away from any public reveal or release. Early-stage research and development initiatives at major studios typically require substantial time before reaching playable prototypes, let alone commercial viability. Riot’s decision to recruit for such preliminary work demonstrates real dedication to investigating the ARPG category within the League universe, though patience will be required from enthusiastic players. The Shanghai studio’s involvement in this foundational phase enables the team to test out combat systems, mechanics and artistic direction without the pressure of tight schedules or public expectations.
Looking ahead, the alignment of multiple League projects establishes an intriguing development landscape for Riot Games. Should both the MMO and action RPG develop as planned, the publisher could position itself as a dominant force in genre-spanning franchise development across the latter half of this decade. The recruitment of Raymond Bartos to the MMO reflects Riot’s genuine commitment in creating quality products rather than rushing products to market. Similarly, the deliberate, understated approach to the ARPG’s development suggests the company has learned from past missteps and now focuses on sustainable, well-resourced production cycles throughout its portfolio of ambitious titles.
