Riot Games seems to be developing a League of Legends action RPG in confidentiality, based on recently discovered job listings published on the company’s recruitment page. Two temporary roles at Riot’s Shanghai studio—one for a Combat Game Designer and another for a character animator—suggest an early-stage research and development project is in progress, with both roles highlighting familiarity with the League of Legends IP as a desirable qualification. Whilst the company has not formally revealed the project, the postings suggest a small team is developing fighting mechanics from the ground up using Unreal Engine. The discovery comes as Riot simultaneously pushes its long-troubled League of Legends MMO into active production, indicating an ambitious expansion of the franchise across multiple gaming genres.
Shanghai Studio Confidential Initiative Comes to Light
The two job listings found on Riot’s recruitment page reveal that the Shanghai studio is actively recruiting for an unreleased action game set within the League of Legends world. The Combat Game Designer role particularly highlights developing and refining combat systems from scratch, with candidates required to show extensive expertise of action games and ARPGs. The position underscores the significance 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 experts in background in stylised character work, suggesting Riot intends to maintain visual consistency with League’s signature visual style.
Whilst neither position advertisement explicitly names the project, both positions flag League of Legends IP understanding as a desirable skill, firmly positioning Runeterra as the likely setting. The contract nature of these roles typically indicates initial production phases, meaning the action role-playing game could still be some time before official announcement or launch. This discovery highlights Riot’s broader strategy to diversify the League series outside its primary MOBA game, subsequent to thriving extensions into animation projects, collectible card games and handheld applications. The parallel production of both an MMO and an action RPG showcases the firm’s resolve to investigating different categories within the Runeterra universe.
- Action Game Designer role concentrates on action role-playing game mechanics creation
- CG animator role emphasises stylised character animation proficiency
- Project uses Unreal Engine for game creation
- Contract roles indicate early-stage research and development phase currently underway
What the Employment Opportunities Show
Combat Systems at the Heart
The Combat Game Designer role forms the cornerstone of Riot’s action RPG aspirations, with the position directly charged with developing and refining combat mechanics from scratch. The role specification emphasises applicants require extensive experience in action games and action RPGs, with specific emphasis on the player experience of combat, the core systems that foster player engagement, and the artificial intelligence systems that govern enemy behaviour. This level of specificity suggests Riot is not merely implementing existing combat frameworks but rather building a tailored system designed to provide a distinctive action experience within the League universe.
The focus on combat feel and mechanics demonstrates that Riot recognises the critical importance of engaging, responsive gameplay in the action role-playing genre. By bringing on specialists who are skilled at creating immersive combat systems, the company is indicating its plan to establish itself within a competitive landscape of action-oriented titles. The need for Unreal Engine expertise additionally shows that Riot is utilising proven technology standards to accomplish its objectives, enabling the team to focus creative energy on what sets the game apart rather than developing custom tools from scratch.
Runeterra as the Probable Location
Although neither job posting explicitly identifies the project, both postings flag knowledge of League of Legends intellectual property as a preferred requirement, placing Runeterra firmly in focus as the likely backdrop. This deliberate approach allows Riot to tap into the existing lore, cast of characters and world creation that has developed across various platforms, including the acclaimed animated series Arcane and the trading card game Legends of Runeterra. Leveraging established IP reduces the creative burden of world-building whilst offering audiences with recognisable elements that deepen engagement and investment in the narrative.
The choice to place the action RPG within Runeterra also supports Riot’s broader franchise strategy of developing interconnected experiences throughout various gaming genres. By tying 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 reward engaged fans. This approach maximises the worth of the company’s creative efforts whilst establishing Runeterra as a comprehensive entertainment destination comparable to established franchises like The Elder Scrolls or The Witcher.
Broadening the League Universe
Riot Games’ apparent work on a League of Legends action RPG represents a significant expansion of the franchise’s aspirations beyond its beginnings as a competitive multiplayer online battle arena. The company has been progressively expanding the League universe through varied entertainment formats and gaming offerings, from the critically acclaimed 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 setting deserving exploration across multiple different genres and mediums. The action RPG fits naturally into this growth plan, providing players an completely new way to engage with the cherished game world.
The release window of this development effort proves notably noteworthy given Riot’s current obligations to other League-connected projects. With the MMO still in active production following its 2024 reset and the appointment of ex-World of Warcraft director Raymond Bartos, the company is demonstrating remarkable confidence in the franchise’s ability to support multiple major releases simultaneously. This two-project strategy mirrors successful strategies employed by leading gaming studios with sprawling universes. By creating titles across varied 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 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 |
- Multiple League projects in development simultaneously throughout diverse studios and genres
- Runeterra world extending by means of integrated game offerings and multimedia adaptations
- Established IP permits Riot to leverage current lore and character rosters effectively
Development Timeline and Prospects
The contractual status of the posted positions suggests this action role-playing game remains in its early stages, probably several years before any official announcement or release. Preliminary research and development projects at large development houses typically require substantial time before achieving functional prototypes, let alone commercial viability. Riot’s decision to recruit for such foundational projects demonstrates genuine commitment to investigating the ARPG category within the League universe, though patience will be required from eager fans. The Shanghai studio’s participation in this initial stage allows the team to experiment with gameplay mechanics, combat design and visual direction without the pressure of immediate deadlines or public expectations.
Looking ahead, the alignment of multiple League projects creates an intriguing development landscape for Riot Games. Should both the MMO and action RPG advance favourably, the publisher could establish itself as a dominant force in multi-genre franchise development during the latter half of this decade. The recruitment of Raymond Bartos to the MMO reflects Riot’s genuine commitment in delivering quality experiences rather than accelerating release timelines. Similarly, the measured, restrained approach to the ARPG’s development suggests the company has moved beyond previous failures and now prioritises sustainable, adequately resourced production cycles within its portfolio of ambitious titles.
