Riot Games seems to be developing a League of Legends action role-playing game in confidentiality, according to newly uncovered job listings posted to the company’s careers page. Two temporary roles at Riot’s Shanghai studio—one for a Combat Game Designer and another for a CG animator—indicate an early-stage research and development project is in progress, with both roles flagging familiarity with the League of Legends IP as a preferred requirement. Whilst the company has not formally revealed the project, the postings suggest a compact team is building combat systems from the ground up using Unreal Engine. The discovery comes as Riot concurrently pushes its long-problematic League of Legends MMO into active production, indicating an significant growth of the franchise throughout various game categories.
Shanghai Studio Confidential Initiative Emerges
The two contract postings found on Riot’s careers page reveal that the Shanghai studio is hiring for an unreleased action game 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 games and ARPGs. The position highlights the importance of combat feel, game mechanics and AI—core elements that would define the player experience in any action-oriented title. Meanwhile, the CG animator vacancy seeks experts in background in stylized character animation, suggesting Riot aims to preserve visual coherence with League’s distinctive art direction.
Whilst neither vacancy listing explicitly references the project, both positions emphasise League of Legends IP familiarity as a bonus qualification, clearly establishing Runeterra as the probable location. The fixed-term character of these roles generally suggests early-stage development, meaning the action RPG could still be a considerable period from public reveal or publication. This discovery reinforces Riot’s overarching plan to diversify the League franchise away from its main MOBA game, following years of prosperous ventures into animated productions, collectible card games and mobile games. The parallel production of both an MMO and an action role-playing game showcases the organisation’s dedication to examining multiple genres within the Runeterra universe.
- Action Game Designer role focuses on action/ARPG mechanics creation
- CG animator position highlights stylized character animation expertise
- Project uses Unreal Engine for game development
- Contract roles indicate early-stage research and development phase currently underway
What the Job Postings Disclose
Battle Systems at the Centre
The Action Game Combat Designer posting represents the foundation of Riot’s action RPG aspirations, with the position explicitly tasked with developing and refining combat systems from scratch. The job description highlights candidates must possess strong proficiency in action games and ARPGs, with particular focus on the player experience of combat, the core systems that foster player engagement, and the AI systems that control enemy actions. This level of specificity suggests Riot is not merely implementing established combat systems but rather creating a custom system tailored to deliver a distinctive action experience in the League universe.
The emphasis on combat mechanics and feel suggests that Riot understands the essential value of satisfying, responsive gameplay in the action RPG genre. By bringing on specialists who understand how to craft immersive combat systems, the company is demonstrating its commitment to establish itself within a saturated market of action-focused titles. The requirement for Unreal Engine expertise further demonstrates that Riot is employing industry-standard technology to realise its goals, permitting the developers to direct creative resources on the game’s distinctive elements rather than building proprietary tools from scratch.
Runeterra as the Probable Location
Although neither position announcement explicitly identifies the project, both postings flag knowledge of League of Legends IP 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 evolved throughout various platforms, 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 familiar components that deepen engagement and commitment to the narrative.
The decision to set the action RPG in Runeterra also supports Riot’s broader strategic approach of creating linked gameplay experiences throughout various 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 comprehensive entertainment destination similar to established franchises like The Elder Scrolls or The Witcher.
Growing the League Universe
Riot Games’ apparent work on a League of Legends action RPG constitutes a significant expansion of the franchise’s aspirations beyond its origins 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 animated series to the Legends of Runeterra collectible card game. This multifaceted approach transforms League from a standalone game property into a expansive entertainment platform, positioning Runeterra as a world worthy of exploration across multiple different genres and mediums. The action RPG integrates seamlessly into this growth plan, offering players an entirely different way to engage with the beloved intellectual property.
The timing of this project initiative 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 hiring 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 successful strategies employed by other major gaming publishers with sprawling universes. By developing games across different genres in parallel, Riot can maintain player engagement through varied experiences whilst generating excitement 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 in development at the same time across diverse studios and genres
- Runeterra setting growing by means of interconnected game offerings and multimedia adaptations
- Well-established IP permits Riot to make use of existing storyline and character lineups effectively
Development Schedule and Outlook
The contract nature of the posted positions suggests this action role-playing game remains in its infancy, likely years away from any public reveal or release. Preliminary research and development projects at major studios generally demand substantial time before achieving functional prototypes, let alone commercial viability. Riot’s decision to recruit for such foundational projects demonstrates real dedication to investigating the ARPG category within the League universe, though restraint will be necessary from enthusiastic players. The Shanghai studio’s participation in this initial stage enables the team to experiment with combat systems, mechanics and artistic direction without the burden of tight schedules or public expectations.
Looking ahead, the convergence of multiple League projects generates an compelling development landscape for Riot Games. Should both the MMO and action RPG progress successfully, the publisher could position itself as a dominant force in multi-genre franchise development during the latter half of this decade. The appointment of Raymond Bartos to the MMO demonstrates Riot’s genuine commitment in creating quality products rather than accelerating release timelines. Similarly, the deliberate, understated approach to the ARPG’s development implies the company has moved beyond previous failures and now focuses on sustainable, adequately resourced production cycles throughout its portfolio of significant franchises.
