Riot Games appears 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 contract positions at Riot’s Shanghai studio—one for a Combat Systems Designer and another for a character animator—suggest an early-stage research and development project is underway, with both roles highlighting familiarity with the League of Legends IP as a preferred requirement. Whilst the company has not officially announced the project, the postings suggest a compact team is building fighting mechanics from the beginning using Unreal Engine. The discovery comes as Riot simultaneously pushes its long-problematic League of Legends MMO into full development, signalling an ambitious expansion of the franchise across multiple gaming genres.
Shanghai Studio’s Secret Project Surfaces
The two job listings discovered on Riot’s careers page reveal that the Shanghai studio is hiring for an unreleased action game set within the League of Legends universe. The Combat Game Designer role particularly highlights building and iterating on combat systems from scratch, with candidates required to demonstrate deep knowledge of action titles and role-playing games. The position highlights the importance of combat feel, mechanics and artificial intelligence—core elements that would shape how players engage in any action-focused game. Meanwhile, the animation specialist vacancy seeks professionals with background in stylised character work, suggesting Riot aims to preserve visual coherence with League’s distinctive art direction.
Whilst neither position advertisement explicitly references the project, both positions flag League of Legends IP familiarity as a bonus qualification, firmly positioning Runeterra as the probable location. The temporary structure of these roles usually points to initial production phases, meaning the action role-playing game could still be some time before official announcement or launch. This finding underscores Riot’s overarching plan to broaden the League series beyond its core MOBA game, following years of prosperous ventures into animated series, card games and handheld applications. The parallel production of both an MMO and an action RPG showcases the organisation’s dedication to investigating different categories within the Runeterra universe.
- Combat Game Designer role concentrates on action/ARPG mechanics development
- CG animator position highlights stylised character animation expertise
- Project uses Unreal Engine for game creation
- Contract positions indicate early-stage R&D phase presently underway
What the Employment Opportunities Show
Fighting Mechanics at the Core
The Action Game Combat Designer posting constitutes the cornerstone of Riot’s action RPG ambitions, with the position explicitly tasked with building and iterating on combat systems from scratch. The job description stresses candidates must possess deep expertise in action games and ARPGs, with particular focus on the player experience of combat, the core systems that drive engagement, and the AI systems that control enemy actions. This level of specificity indicates Riot is not simply applying 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 suggests that Riot acknowledges the essential value of responsive, satisfying gameplay in the action RPG genre. By recruiting specialists who know how to develop compelling combat mechanics, the company is demonstrating its commitment to compete seriously within a competitive landscape of action-oriented titles. The requirement for Unreal Engine proficiency additionally shows that Riot is employing established industry tools to achieve its vision, permitting the developers to focus creative energy on the game’s distinctive elements rather than developing custom tools from scratch.
Runeterra as the Plausible Setting
Although neither position announcement explicitly names the project, both postings highlight familiarity with League of Legends intellectual property as a preferred requirement, placing Runeterra squarely in the frame as the probable setting. This deliberate approach allows Riot to tap into the established narrative, character roster and world creation that has developed across 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 recognisable elements that enhance immersion and commitment to the narrative.
The choice to place the action RPG in Runeterra also aligns with Riot’s wider strategic approach of developing interconnected experiences across different gaming genres. By anchoring the new project to the same universe as the MMO, the card game and the animated series, Riot creates opportunities for cross-promotion and shared narrative threads that satisfy dedicated players. This strategy maximises the value of the company’s creative investments whilst establishing Runeterra as a complete entertainment hub comparable to established franchises like The Elder Scrolls or The Witcher.
Expanding the League Universe
Riot Games’ reported development of a League of Legends action RPG represents a significant expansion of the franchise’s aspirations beyond its beginnings as a competitive team-based online game. The company has been systematically broadening the League universe through varied entertainment formats and gaming offerings, from the highly praised Arcane animated series to the Legends of Runeterra collectible card game. This multifaceted approach transforms League from a single-game franchise into a comprehensive entertainment ecosystem, positioning Runeterra as a setting deserving exploration throughout multiple different genres and mediums. The action RPG fits naturally into this growth plan, providing players an completely new way to interact 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 former World of Warcraft lead Raymond Bartos, the company is showing remarkable confidence in the franchise’s capacity to support multiple major releases simultaneously. This dual-project approach 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 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 |
- Various League projects in development simultaneously across different studios and categories
- Runeterra setting growing through interconnected game offerings and cross-media expansions
- Established IP allows Riot to make use of established storyline and character lineups efficiently
Development Timeline and Prospects
The contractual status of the advertised roles suggests this action RPG remains in its infancy, likely years away from any public reveal or release. Preliminary research and development projects at large development houses typically require considerable duration before achieving playable prototypes, let alone market readiness. Riot’s willingness to hire for such preliminary work indicates real dedication to exploring the ARPG category within the League universe, though patience will be required from enthusiastic players. The Shanghai studio’s involvement in this initial stage allows the team to test out gameplay mechanics, combat design and visual direction without the burden of immediate deadlines or audience demands.
Looking ahead, the convergence of multiple League projects generates an fascinating 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 throughout the latter half of this decade. The appointment of Raymond Bartos to the MMO reflects Riot’s serious investment in producing quality content rather than pushing products out quickly. Similarly, the measured, restrained approach to the ARPG’s development indicates the company has addressed prior shortcomings and now prioritises sustainable, properly funded production cycles throughout its portfolio of significant franchises.
