Riot Games appears 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 coming together, with both roles flagging familiarity with the League of Legends IP as a desirable qualification. Neither listing officially names 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 comes 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 Confidential Initiative Emerges
The two contract postings found on Riot’s careers page unveil intriguing details about the Shanghai studio’s secret project. The Combat Game Designer role specifically seeks someone with deep expertise of action games and ARPGs, with particular emphasis on crafting engaging combat experience, responsive controls, 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 early stages, continuously refining fundamental mechanics rather than polishing an existing foundation.
Alongside the design position, Riot is recruiting a CG animator with expertise 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 create a cohesive aesthetic for the action RPG. Whilst temporary positions at this developmental stage typically signal projects remain years away from launch, the combination of these two positions suggests Riot has invested significant effort to exploring what an action-focused League experience might entail. The hiring strategy indicates the studio is assembling a dedicated, albeit small, core team to test and refine core gameplay concepts.
- Combat Game Designer role concentrates on action-RPG systems development
- CG animator brings stylized character animation expertise to project
- Initial research and development suggests considerable time remains before potential release
- Unreal Engine chosen as primary development platform for title
Combat Mechanics and Technical Specifications
What the Job Listings Reveal
The Combat Game Designer posting offers valuable perspective into the project’s mechanical ambitions. Candidates must demonstrate deep expertise 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 mechanics from scratch using Unreal Engine, indicating Riot intends to develop something distinctly different from League of Legends’ turn-based MOBA mechanics. The emphasis on AI development suggests the studio is designing advanced enemy AI systems, potentially for single-player and co-operative experiences rather than purely competitive gameplay.
The specification details outlined in the listings reveal a methodical, systems-focused development approach. Candidates are required to work within a small, early-stage team where personal input carry substantial weight. The emphasis on “combat feel” rather than simply mechanical balance indicates Riot places value on user experience and feedback—qualities essential to modern action RPGs. This recruitment approach demonstrates the Shanghai studio is avoiding hasty moves toward production but rather dedicating resources to prototyping and validating core gameplay loops before expanding operations further.
- Strong proficiency in action and ARPG design mechanics needed
- Combat feel and player feedback prioritised over balance mechanics
- AI systems development indicates likely single-player or co-op emphasis
- Unreal chosen as main technical development engine
- Early-stage prototyping phase suggests years before market launch
Expanding the League of Legends World
Riot Games has consistently positioned League of Legends as the cornerstone of an expansive multimedia franchise, yet the company’s game development goals have conventionally centred on the original MOBA title itself. The revelation of a secret action RPG in development marks a notable change in strategy, suggesting Riot plans to diversify its game catalogue across various genres rather than depending exclusively on League’s competitive ecosystem. This approach reflects successful franchises like The Elder Scrolls or Final Fantasy, where a flagship title coexists alongside supplementary titles that venture into different gameplay styles. By developing an ARPG based in Runeterra, Riot can tap into the rich lore and established character base whilst reaching players who prefer single-player or co-operative experiences over competitive multiplayer.
The scheduling of these advancements is especially significant given Riot’s wide-ranging franchise expansion strategy. Alongside the action role-playing game project, the company has poured significant investment in the extended-development League of Legends MMO, hiring Raymond Bartos from World of Warcraft to expedite the production process following a major overhaul in 2024. This two-pronged strategy suggests Riot is working towards an ambitious vision for Runeterra’s digital ecosystem. Rather than going head-to-head with one another, these endeavours appear designed to serve different market segments—the MMO serving persistent-world enthusiasts whilst the ARPG appeals to players seeking narrative-driven action experiences. Together, they represent Riot’s boldest expansion of the League franchise beyond its MOBA origins.
| 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 |
Timeline and Development Outlook
Whilst the job postings offer intriguing evidence of the ARPG’s existence, Riot Games has preserved absolute silence concerning an formal reveal or availability date. The contract positions advertised on the company’s careers page point to the project continues in initial R&D phases, suggesting it could be several years away from launch. Industry observers experienced in game development cycles observe that hiring for core positions such as Combat Game Designer commonly represents the beginning stages of production rather than an imminent release. This careful tempo allows Riot to develop strong combat mechanics and gameplay systems ahead of growing the team further, a sensible approach given the intense competition of action RPGs.
The Shanghai studio’s contribution in this initiative reflects Riot’s international development framework and the studio’s established track record in crafting engaging gameplay experiences. By positioning the ARPG project at this site rather than centralising operations at a sole headquarters, Riot demonstrates its commitment to distributed development practices that have produced successful outcomes across its portfolio. 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 demanding significant resources and attention, the ARPG might not arrive until 2027 or afterwards, contingent upon completion targets and Riot’s resource allocation decisions.
What Players Should Expect
Should the ARPG reach completion, players can expect a single-player or co-operative action experience placed in the vibrant world of Runeterra, utilising the universe’s established lore and fan-favourite champions. The emphasis on visual character craftsmanship and combat mechanics suggests Riot seeks to create intense, mechanically demanding gameplay rather than a conventional dungeon crawler. Fans of character-rich action titles and those seeking a alternative take of League engagement may find the ARPG particularly appealing, presenting an contrast with the pvp-focused focus that has shaped the franchise from its launch.
