Riot Games seems to be developing a League of Legends action RPG in secret, according to newly uncovered job listings published on the company’s careers page. Two temporary roles at Riot’s Shanghai studio—one for a Combat Systems Designer and another for a character animator—indicate an early-phase R&D project is in progress, with both roles flagging familiarity with the League of Legends IP as a preferred requirement. Whilst the company has not officially announced the project, the postings indicate a compact team is developing combat systems from the beginning using Unreal Engine. The discovery comes as Riot simultaneously pushes its long-problematic League of Legends MMO into active production, indicating an significant growth of the franchise across multiple gaming genres.
Shanghai Studio’s Hidden Venture Surfaces
The two contract postings found on Riot’s recruitment page reveal that the Shanghai studio is hiring for an unannounced action title set within the League of Legends world. The Combat 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, game mechanics and AI—fundamental components that would shape how players engage in any action-oriented title. Meanwhile, the animation specialist position seeks experts in background in stylised character work, suggesting Riot intends to maintain visual consistency with League’s distinctive art direction.
Whilst neither job posting explicitly names the project, both positions emphasise League of Legends IP understanding as a desirable skill, clearly establishing Runeterra as the expected backdrop. The contract nature of these roles usually points to early-stage development, meaning the action RPG could still be years away from public reveal or release. This revelation reinforces Riot’s overarching plan to expand the League brand away from its main MOBA game, after periods of thriving extensions into animated series, card games and mobile games. The simultaneous development of both an MMO and an action RPG illustrates the organisation’s dedication to examining different categories within the Runeterra universe.
- Action Game Designer role concentrates on action/ARPG mechanics development
- CG animator role emphasises stylised character animation expertise
- Project utilises Unreal Engine for game development
- Contract roles indicate early-stage R&D phase currently underway
What the Employment Opportunities Show
Combat Systems at the Heart
The Action Game Combat Designer posting constitutes the foundation of Riot’s action RPG aspirations, with the role explicitly tasked with developing and refining combat mechanics from scratch. The job description highlights applicants require extensive experience in action games and ARPGs, with specific emphasis on the player experience of combat, the underlying mechanics that drive engagement, and the AI systems that control enemy actions. This level of specificity indicates Riot is not simply applying existing combat frameworks but rather creating a custom system designed to provide a distinctive action experience in the League universe.
The priority placed on combat mechanics and feel demonstrates that Riot acknowledges the essential value of responsive, satisfying gameplay in the action role-playing genre. By hiring experts who understand how to craft compelling combat mechanics, the company is demonstrating its commitment to establish itself within a saturated market of action-driven games. The requirement for Unreal Engine proficiency also illustrates that Riot is leveraging established industry tools to realise its goals, enabling the team to direct creative resources on what makes the game unique rather than developing custom tools from scratch.
Runeterra as the Likely Setting
Although neither position announcement explicitly names the project, both postings highlight knowledge of League of Legends IP 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, character roster and worldbuilding that has developed across multiple media formats, including the award-winning animation Arcane and the trading card game Legends of Runeterra. Using existing intellectual property minimises the creative workload of world-building whilst offering audiences with recognisable elements that enhance immersion and commitment to the narrative.
The choice to set the action RPG within Runeterra also aligns with Riot’s broader franchise strategy of creating linked gameplay 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 creates opportunities for cross-promotional activities and interconnected storylines that reward engaged fans. This approach maximises the worth of the company’s creative efforts whilst establishing Runeterra as a comprehensive entertainment destination similar to well-known franchises like The Elder Scrolls or The Witcher.
Broadening the League Universe
Riot Games’ apparent development of a League of Legends action RPG constitutes a major broadening of the franchise’s ambitions beyond its origins as a competitive team-based online game. The company has been systematically broadening the League universe through diverse media and gaming experiences, from the highly praised Arcane animation to the Legends of Runeterra collectible 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 across multiple genres and platforms. The action RPG fits naturally into this growth plan, providing players an completely new way to interact with the beloved intellectual property.
The timing of this development effort stands as particularly noteworthy given Riot’s current obligations 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 displaying remarkable confidence in the franchise’s capacity to support multiple major releases simultaneously. This two-project strategy mirrors proven approaches employed by other major gaming publishers with sprawling universes. By creating titles across varied genres in parallel, Riot can maintain player engagement through diverse gameplay whilst building anticipation 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 |
- Several League initiatives under development simultaneously throughout different studios and genres
- Runeterra universe expanding via integrated interactive experiences and media adaptations
- Well-established IP allows Riot to make use of existing narrative and character lineups efficiently
Development Timeline and Prospects
The contract nature of the advertised roles suggests this action role-playing game remains in its infancy, likely years away from any official announcement or release. Early-stage research and development projects at large development houses typically require considerable duration before reaching playable prototypes, let alone commercial viability. Riot’s willingness to hire for such foundational projects demonstrates real dedication to exploring the ARPG genre within the League universe, though restraint will be necessary from eager fans. The Shanghai studio’s involvement in this initial stage enables the team to experiment with gameplay mechanics, combat design and visual direction without the burden of immediate deadlines or public expectations.
Looking ahead, the alignment of multiple League projects establishes an fascinating development landscape for Riot Games. Should both the MMO and action RPG progress successfully, the publisher could cement its status as a dominant force in cross-genre franchise development throughout the latter half of this decade. The recruitment of Raymond Bartos to the MMO demonstrates Riot’s serious investment in delivering quality experiences rather than accelerating release timelines. Similarly, the careful, measured approach to the ARPG’s development indicates the company has learned from past missteps and now prioritises sustainable, adequately resourced production cycles across its portfolio of major projects.
