Riot Games seems to be developing a League of Legends action RPG in confidentiality, according to newly uncovered 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 research and development project is in progress, with both roles flagging familiarity with the League of Legends IP as a desirable qualification. Whilst the company has not officially announced the project, the postings indicate a small team is developing fighting mechanics from the beginning using Unreal Engine. The discovery comes as Riot concurrently pushes its long-troubled League of Legends MMO into active production, indicating an ambitious expansion of the franchise across multiple gaming genres.
Shanghai Studio Hidden Venture Comes to Light
The two job listings discovered on Riot’s careers page reveal that the Shanghai studio is actively recruiting for an unreleased action game set within the League of Legends universe. The Combat Game Designer role specifically emphasises building and iterating on combat systems from the ground up, with candidates expected to show extensive expertise of action titles and role-playing games. The position underscores the significance of combat feel, game mechanics and AI—fundamental components that would define the player experience in any action-oriented title. Meanwhile, the animation specialist position seeks professionals with experience in stylised character work, suggesting Riot intends to preserve visual coherence with League’s distinctive art direction.
Whilst neither vacancy listing explicitly names the project, both positions emphasise League of Legends IP familiarity as a desirable skill, strongly suggesting 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 release. This revelation highlights Riot’s wider approach to broaden the League series outside its primary MOBA game, following years of successful expansions into animated series, collectible card games and mobile games. The parallel production of both an MMO and an action RPG illustrates the company’s commitment to investigating multiple genres within the Runeterra universe.
- Combat Game Designer role focuses on action/ARPG mechanics development
- CG animator position emphasises stylized character animation expertise
- Project utilises Unreal Engine for game creation
- Contract positions indicate early-stage R&D phase currently underway
What the Employment Opportunities Disclose
Combat Systems at the Core
The Action Game Combat Designer role forms the core pillar of Riot’s action RPG ambitions, with the position directly charged with building and iterating on combat mechanics from scratch. The role specification stresses applicants require deep expertise in action games and ARPGs, with specific emphasis on the player experience of combat, the underlying mechanics that foster player engagement, and the AI systems that govern enemy behaviour. This degree of detail suggests Riot is not merely implementing established combat systems but rather developing a bespoke system designed to provide a unique action experience in the League universe.
The priority placed on combat mechanics and feel demonstrates that Riot acknowledges the critical importance of engaging, responsive gameplay in the action role-playing genre. By recruiting specialists who know how to develop engaging combat systems, the company is demonstrating its commitment to establish itself within a competitive landscape of action-focused titles. The requirement for Unreal Engine expertise additionally shows that Riot is utilising industry-standard technology to realise its goals, allowing the team to focus creative energy on what sets the game apart rather than building proprietary tools from scratch.
Runeterra as the Probable Location
Although neither job posting explicitly names the project, both postings highlight knowledge of League of Legends intellectual property as a preferred requirement, placing Runeterra firmly in focus as the likely backdrop. This strategic positioning allows Riot to tap into the existing lore, character roster and worldbuilding that has developed across multiple media formats, 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 providing players with recognisable elements that enhance immersion and commitment to the narrative.
The choice to place the action RPG within Runeterra also aligns with Riot’s broader franchise strategy of creating interconnected experiences across different gaming genres. By tying the new project to the same 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 comparable to well-known franchises like The Elder Scrolls or The Witcher.
Expanding the League Universe
Riot Games’ reported work on a League of Legends action RPG represents a significant expansion of the franchise’s ambitions beyond its beginnings as a competitive multiplayer online battle arena. The company has been progressively expanding the League universe through diverse media and gaming experiences, from the critically acclaimed Arcane animation to the Legends of Runeterra collectible card game. This multi-pronged strategy transforms League from a single-game franchise into a expansive entertainment platform, positioning Runeterra as a setting deserving exploration throughout multiple different genres and mediums. The action RPG integrates seamlessly into this expansion strategy, offering players an completely new way to interact with the beloved intellectual property.
The timing of this project initiative stands as particularly noteworthy given Riot’s existing commitments to other League-related projects. With the MMO continuing development following its 2024 reset and the hiring of ex-World of Warcraft director Raymond Bartos, the company is showing 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 developing games 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 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 under development simultaneously across diverse studios and types
- Runeterra world expanding through integrated game offerings and cross-media expansions
- Well-established IP permits Riot to leverage current lore and character lineups successfully
Timeline and Future Outlook
The contractual status of the posted positions suggests this action RPG remains in its early stages, probably several years before any official announcement or release. Early-stage research and development initiatives at major studios typically require considerable duration before reaching playable prototypes, let alone market readiness. Riot’s decision to recruit for such preliminary work demonstrates genuine commitment to investigating 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 combat systems, mechanics and artistic direction without the pressure of immediate deadlines or public expectations.
Looking ahead, the intersection 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 establish itself as a dominant force in genre-spanning franchise development across the latter half of this decade. The hiring of Raymond Bartos to the MMO demonstrates Riot’s genuine commitment in creating quality products rather than pushing products out quickly. Similarly, the deliberate, understated approach to the ARPG’s development indicates the company has addressed prior shortcomings and now emphasises sustainable, well-resourced production cycles within its portfolio of major projects.
