Riot Games seems to be developing a League of Legends action role-playing game in secret, according to recently discovered job listings posted to 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-phase R&D 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 compact team is developing combat systems from the beginning using Unreal Engine. The discovery comes as Riot simultaneously pushes its long-troubled League of Legends MMO into active production, signalling an significant growth of the franchise across multiple gaming genres.
Shanghai Studio Secret Project Comes to Light
The two job listings discovered on Riot’s recruitment 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 the ground up, with candidates expected to demonstrate deep knowledge of action games and ARPGs. The position highlights the importance of combat feel, mechanics and artificial intelligence—fundamental components that would define the player experience in any action-oriented title. Meanwhile, the animation specialist vacancy seeks professionals with background in stylised character work, suggesting Riot intends to maintain visual consistency with League’s signature visual style.
Whilst neither vacancy listing explicitly names the project, both positions highlight League of Legends IP understanding as a added advantage, firmly positioning Runeterra as the likely setting. The temporary structure of these roles generally suggests early-stage development, meaning the action role-playing game could still be some time before formal declaration or launch. This finding reinforces Riot’s overarching plan to expand the League brand beyond its core MOBA game, following years of prosperous ventures into animated series, trading card games and mobile titles. The simultaneous development of both an MMO and an action RPG illustrates the organisation’s dedication to exploring multiple genres within the Runeterra universe.
- Action Game Designer role focuses on action role-playing game mechanics creation
- CG animator position emphasises stylized character animation expertise
- Project uses Unreal Engine for game creation
- Contract positions suggest early-stage R&D phase presently underway
What the Job Postings Disclose
Combat Systems at the Core
The Action Game Combat Designer role forms the core pillar of Riot’s action RPG ambitions, with the position explicitly tasked with building and iterating on combat systems from scratch. The job description emphasises applicants require extensive experience in action games and action RPGs, with particular focus on the player experience of combat, the underlying mechanics that drive engagement, and the artificial intelligence systems that govern enemy behaviour. This degree of detail indicates Riot is not simply applying existing combat frameworks but rather building a tailored system tailored to deliver a distinctive action experience in the League universe.
The priority placed on combat mechanics and feel indicates that Riot acknowledges the essential value of satisfying, responsive gameplay in the action-based RPG genre. By hiring experts who understand how to craft engaging combat systems, the company is signalling its intention to compete effectively within a competitive landscape of action-oriented titles. The requirement for Unreal Engine knowledge additionally shows that Riot is leveraging industry-standard technology to accomplish its objectives, permitting the developers to concentrate creative effort on what makes the game unique rather than building proprietary tools from scratch.
Runeterra as the Probable Setting
Although neither position announcement explicitly identifies the project, both postings flag familiarity with League of Legends IP as a preferred requirement, placing Runeterra firmly in focus as the likely backdrop. This deliberate approach allows Riot to tap into the established narrative, 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 minimises the creative workload of world-building whilst providing players with recognisable elements that deepen engagement and commitment to the narrative.
The choice to set the action RPG within Runeterra also supports Riot’s wider strategic approach of developing linked gameplay experiences across different 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 enhances the value 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.
Growing the League Universe
Riot Games’ reported development of 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 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 multi-pronged strategy transforms League from a standalone game property into a expansive entertainment platform, positioning Runeterra as a world worthy of exploration throughout multiple different genres and mediums. The action RPG fits naturally into this expansion strategy, providing players an completely new way to interact with the beloved intellectual property.
The timing of this project initiative proves particularly noteworthy given Riot’s existing commitments 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 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 varied genres in parallel, Riot can maintain player engagement through diverse gameplay whilst building anticipation for each individual release. The Shanghai studio’s involvement points to 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 initiatives under development simultaneously across different studios and categories
- Runeterra setting expanding through integrated interactive experiences and cross-media expansions
- Well-established IP permits Riot to leverage current lore and character lineups effectively
Timeline and Future Outlook
The contract nature of the advertised roles suggests this action RPG remains in its infancy, likely years away from any public reveal or release. Early-stage research and development initiatives at large development houses typically require considerable duration before achieving playable prototypes, let alone market readiness. Riot’s decision to recruit for such preliminary work indicates genuine commitment to exploring the ARPG genre within the League universe, though restraint will be necessary from eager fans. The Shanghai studio’s involvement in this initial stage enables the team to experiment with combat systems, mechanics and artistic direction without the pressure of tight schedules or public expectations.
Looking ahead, the alignment of multiple League projects establishes an intriguing development landscape for Riot Games. Should both the MMO and action RPG develop as planned, the publisher could establish itself as a dominant force in multi-genre franchise development throughout the latter half of this decade. The recruitment of Raymond Bartos to the MMO demonstrates Riot’s serious investment in creating quality products rather than rushing products to market. Similarly, the measured, restrained approach to the ARPG’s development indicates the company has moved beyond previous failures and now emphasises sustainable, properly funded production cycles across its portfolio of significant franchises.
