Riot Games seems to be developing a League of Legends action RPG in confidentiality, based on recently 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 character animator—indicate an early-phase R&D project is underway, with both roles highlighting familiarity with the League of Legends IP as a desirable qualification. Whilst the company has not officially announced the project, the postings indicate a small team is developing combat systems from the ground up using Unreal Engine. The discovery comes as Riot simultaneously pushes its long-troubled League of Legends MMO into full development, signalling an significant growth of the franchise throughout various game categories.
Shanghai Studio Hidden Venture Comes to Light
The two contract postings 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 universe. The Combat Game Designer role particularly highlights building and iterating on combat systems from the ground up, with candidates required 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 shape how players engage in any action-focused game. Meanwhile, the CG animator position 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 emphasise League of Legends IP familiarity as a bonus qualification, firmly positioning Runeterra as the likely setting. The fixed-term character of these roles generally suggests initial production phases, meaning the action role-playing game could still be some time before formal declaration or release. This discovery highlights Riot’s wider approach to broaden the League brand away from its main MOBA game, after periods of thriving extensions into animated series, card games and mobile games. The concurrent creation of both an MMO and an action RPG showcases the organisation’s dedication to exploring different categories within the Runeterra universe.
- Combat Game Designer role concentrates on action role-playing game mechanics creation
- CG animator role emphasises stylised character animation expertise
- Project uses Unreal Engine for game creation
- Contract roles suggest early-stage R&D phase currently underway
What the Employment Opportunities Disclose
Combat Systems at the Core
The Combat Game Designer posting represents the cornerstone of Riot’s action RPG aspirations, with the role explicitly tasked with building and iterating on combat systems from scratch. The role specification highlights applicants require deep expertise in action games and action RPGs, with particular focus on how combat feels to players, the underlying mechanics that drive engagement, and the artificial intelligence systems that govern enemy behaviour. This degree of detail indicates Riot is not merely implementing established combat systems but rather creating a custom system designed to provide a unique action experience in the League universe.
The emphasis on combat mechanics and feel indicates that Riot understands the vital significance of satisfying, responsive gameplay in the action role-playing genre. By hiring experts who know how to develop compelling combat mechanics, the company is indicating its plan to compete seriously within a competitive landscape of action-focused titles. The need for Unreal Engine proficiency further demonstrates that Riot is utilising industry-standard technology to accomplish its objectives, enabling the team to concentrate creative effort on what sets the game apart rather than building proprietary tools from scratch.
Runeterra as the Probable 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 firmly in focus as the probable setting. This deliberate approach allows Riot to leverage the established narrative, cast of characters and world creation that has developed across multiple media formats, including the acclaimed animated series Arcane and the trading card game Legends of Runeterra. Leveraging established IP minimises the creative workload of world-building whilst offering audiences with familiar components that deepen engagement and investment in the narrative.
The choice to set the action RPG within Runeterra also supports Riot’s broader franchise strategy of creating interconnected experiences across different gaming genres. By tying the new project to the same universe as the MMO, the card game and the animated series, Riot generates possibilities for cross-promotion and shared narrative threads that satisfy dedicated players. This approach maximises the value of the company’s creative investments whilst positioning Runeterra as a complete entertainment hub comparable to well-known franchises like The Elder Scrolls or The Witcher.
Expanding the League Universe
Riot Games’ reported work on a League of Legends action RPG represents a major broadening of the franchise’s ambitions beyond its beginnings as a competitive team-based online game. The company has been progressively expanding the League universe through diverse media and gaming experiences, from the highly praised Arcane animated series to the Legends of Runeterra collectible card game. This multi-pronged strategy converts League from a single-game franchise into a expansive entertainment platform, positioning Runeterra as a setting deserving exploration throughout multiple different genres and mediums. The action RPG integrates seamlessly into this expansion strategy, providing players an entirely different way to interact with the cherished game world.
The release window of this development effort stands as particularly noteworthy given Riot’s existing commitments 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 capacity to support several significant launches simultaneously. This two-project strategy mirrors proven approaches employed by other major gaming publishers with sprawling universes. By creating titles across different genres in parallel, Riot can sustain player interest through diverse gameplay whilst building anticipation for each individual release. The Shanghai studio’s involvement points to 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 projects under development at the same time across different studios and categories
- Runeterra world expanding through linked interactive experiences and media adaptations
- Established IP permits Riot to utilise existing storyline and character lineups successfully
Development Timeline and Prospects
The contractual status of the advertised roles suggests this action RPG remains in its early stages, likely years away from any public reveal or release. Preliminary research and development initiatives at major studios generally demand considerable duration before reaching functional prototypes, let alone market readiness. Riot’s willingness to hire for such foundational projects demonstrates genuine commitment to exploring the ARPG category within the League universe, though restraint will be necessary from eager fans. The Shanghai studio’s involvement in this initial stage allows the team to test out combat systems, mechanics and artistic direction without the burden of immediate deadlines or public expectations.
Looking ahead, the convergence of multiple League projects establishes an fascinating development landscape for Riot Games. Should both the MMO and action RPG advance favourably, the publisher could cement its status as a dominant force in genre-spanning franchise development throughout the latter half of this decade. The appointment of Raymond Bartos to the MMO demonstrates Riot’s substantial dedication in delivering quality experiences rather than rushing products to market. Similarly, the careful, measured approach to the ARPG’s development suggests the company has learned from past missteps and now focuses on sustainable, well-resourced production cycles throughout its portfolio of significant franchises.
