Riot Games appears to be developing a League of Legends action RPG in secret, based on newly uncovered job listings published on the company’s recruitment page. Two contract positions at Riot’s Shanghai studio—one for a Combat Systems Designer and another for a CG animator—suggest an early-phase R&D project is in progress, with both roles flagging familiarity with the League of Legends IP as a preferred requirement. Whilst the company has not officially announced the project, the postings indicate a small team is building fighting mechanics from the ground up using Unreal Engine. The discovery comes as Riot simultaneously pushes its long-problematic League of Legends MMO into full development, signalling an significant growth of the franchise throughout multiple gaming genres.
Shanghai Studio’s Secret Project Emerges
The two contract postings discovered on Riot’s recruitment page reveal that the Shanghai studio is actively recruiting for an unannounced action title set within the League of Legends universe. The Combat Designer role specifically emphasises developing and refining combat systems from the ground up, 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 animation specialist position seeks experts in experience in stylized character animation, suggesting Riot intends to maintain visual consistency with League’s signature visual style.
Whilst neither vacancy listing explicitly references the project, both positions flag League of Legends IP knowledge as a added advantage, firmly positioning Runeterra as the probable location. The contract nature of these roles usually points to initial production phases, meaning the action RPG could still be a considerable period from public reveal or launch. This discovery reinforces Riot’s wider approach to diversify the League series beyond its core MOBA game, after periods of prosperous ventures into animation projects, card games and mobile games. The concurrent creation of both an MMO and an action role-playing game showcases the firm’s resolve to examining different categories within the Runeterra universe.
- Action Game Designer role focuses on action role-playing game mechanics development
- CG animator role emphasises stylized character animation expertise
- Project utilises Unreal Engine for game development
- Contract roles suggest early-stage research and development phase presently underway
What the Employment Opportunities Demonstrate
Fighting Mechanics at the Centre
The Combat Game Designer role represents the cornerstone of Riot’s action RPG aspirations, with the position directly charged with building and iterating on combat systems from scratch. The role specification stresses applicants require deep expertise in action games and action RPGs, with specific emphasis on the player experience of combat, the core systems that drive engagement, and the artificial intelligence systems that control enemy actions. This level of specificity indicates Riot is not merely implementing existing combat frameworks but rather developing a bespoke system tailored to deliver a unique action experience in the League universe.
The emphasis on combat mechanics and feel indicates that Riot acknowledges the critical importance of responsive, satisfying gameplay in the action RPG genre. By bringing on specialists who know how to develop engaging combat systems, the company is indicating its plan to compete effectively within a saturated market of action-driven games. The requirement for Unreal Engine expertise additionally shows that Riot is employing proven technology standards to realise its goals, permitting the developers to concentrate creative effort on the game’s distinctive elements rather than building proprietary tools from scratch.
Runeterra as the Plausible Backdrop
Although neither job posting explicitly names the project, both postings flag knowledge of League of Legends IP as a preferred requirement, placing Runeterra firmly in focus as the probable setting. This deliberate approach allows Riot to leverage the existing lore, character roster and world creation that has developed across various platforms, including the award-winning animation Arcane and the collectible card game Legends of Runeterra. Leveraging established IP reduces the creative burden of world-building whilst offering audiences with familiar components that deepen engagement and commitment to the narrative.
The choice to set the action RPG in Runeterra also supports Riot’s broader franchise strategy of creating interconnected experiences across different gaming genres. By anchoring the new project to the identical universe as the MMO, the card game and the animated series, Riot creates opportunities for cross-promotion and shared narrative threads that reward engaged fans. This strategy enhances the value of the company’s creative efforts whilst positioning Runeterra as a comprehensive entertainment destination similar 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 major broadening 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 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 comprehensive entertainment ecosystem, positioning Runeterra as a setting deserving exploration throughout multiple different genres and mediums. The action RPG integrates seamlessly into this growth plan, offering players an completely new way to engage with the beloved intellectual property.
The scheduling of this project initiative proves notably noteworthy given Riot’s existing commitments to other League-connected projects. With the MMO continuing development following its 2024 reset and the appointment of former World of Warcraft lead Raymond Bartos, the company is showing remarkable confidence in the franchise’s capacity to support several significant launches simultaneously. This dual-project approach mirrors successful strategies employed by other major gaming publishers 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 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 |
- Multiple League initiatives under development simultaneously across diverse studios and genres
- Runeterra setting extending through linked interactive experiences and cross-media expansions
- Established IP permits Riot to utilise existing narrative and roster of characters effectively
Timeline and Future Outlook
The contract nature of the posted positions suggests this action role-playing game remains in its infancy, probably several years before any public reveal or release. Preliminary research and development projects at large development houses generally demand substantial time before achieving playable prototypes, let alone commercial viability. Riot’s decision to recruit for such preliminary work indicates real dedication to investigating the ARPG genre 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 test out gameplay mechanics, combat design and visual direction without the burden of tight schedules or public expectations.
Looking ahead, the convergence of multiple League projects generates an fascinating development landscape for Riot Games. Should both the MMO and action RPG progress successfully, the publisher could position itself as a dominant force in genre-spanning franchise development during the latter half of this decade. The hiring of Raymond Bartos to the MMO underscores Riot’s substantial dedication in producing quality content rather than pushing products out quickly. Similarly, the deliberate, understated approach to the ARPG’s development implies the company has learned from past missteps and now prioritises sustainable, properly funded production cycles throughout its portfolio of significant franchises.
