Riot Games appears to be developing a League of Legends action RPG in secret, according to recently discovered job listings posted to the company’s recruitment page. Two temporary roles at Riot’s Shanghai studio—one for a Combat Systems Designer and another for a character animator—indicate 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 developing combat systems from the ground up using Unreal Engine. The discovery comes as Riot concurrently pushes its long-problematic League of Legends MMO into active production, signalling an significant growth of the franchise throughout multiple gaming genres.
Shanghai Studio Hidden Venture Emerges
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 specifically emphasises developing and refining combat systems from the ground up, with candidates expected to show extensive expertise of action titles and role-playing games. The position underscores the significance of combat feel, mechanics and artificial intelligence—core elements that would define the player experience in any action-oriented title. Meanwhile, the animation specialist vacancy seeks experts in experience in stylized character animation, suggesting Riot intends to maintain visual consistency with League’s distinctive art direction.
Whilst neither job posting explicitly references the project, both positions flag League of Legends IP knowledge as a added advantage, clearly establishing Runeterra as the likely setting. The contract nature of these roles usually points to initial production phases, meaning the action role-playing game could still be a considerable period from formal declaration or publication. This revelation underscores Riot’s wider approach to broaden the League brand outside its primary MOBA game, after periods of prosperous ventures into animated productions, card games and mobile games. The parallel production of both an MMO and an action role-playing game showcases the firm’s resolve to examining multiple genres within the Runeterra universe.
- Action Game Designer role focuses on action role-playing game mechanics development
- CG animator position highlights stylised character animation proficiency
- Project uses Unreal Engine for game creation
- Contract positions suggest early-stage R&D phase currently underway
What the Employment Opportunities Disclose
Battle Systems at the Centre
The Combat Game Designer posting forms the core pillar of Riot’s action RPG ambitions, with the position explicitly tasked with building and iterating on combat mechanics from the ground up. The role specification highlights applicants require strong proficiency in action games and ARPGs, with specific emphasis on the player experience of combat, the underlying mechanics that foster player engagement, and the artificial intelligence systems that control enemy actions. This level of specificity suggests 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 focus on combat feel and mechanics indicates that Riot recognises the essential value of satisfying, responsive gameplay in the action-based RPG genre. By recruiting specialists who know how to develop engaging combat systems, the company is indicating its plan to establish itself within a competitive landscape of action-oriented titles. The demand for Unreal Engine expertise additionally shows that Riot is utilising established industry tools to realise its goals, enabling the team to focus creative energy on what makes the game unique rather than developing custom tools from scratch.
Runeterra as the Likely Setting
Although neither job posting explicitly identifies the project, both postings flag knowledge of League of Legends intellectual property as a desirable qualification, placing Runeterra firmly in focus as the probable setting. This strategic positioning allows Riot to tap into the existing lore, 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. Leveraging established IP reduces the creative burden of world-building whilst providing players with recognisable elements that enhance immersion and investment in the narrative.
The decision to place the action RPG within Runeterra also aligns with Riot’s broader franchise strategy of creating linked gameplay 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 creates opportunities for cross-promotional activities and interconnected storylines that satisfy dedicated players. This strategy enhances the worth of the company’s creative efforts whilst positioning Runeterra as a comprehensive entertainment destination 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 ambitions beyond its beginnings as a competitive multiplayer online battle arena. The company has been progressively expanding the League universe through diverse media and gaming experiences, from the critically acclaimed Arcane animated series to the Legends of Runeterra card game. This multifaceted approach converts League from a single-game franchise into a comprehensive entertainment ecosystem, positioning Runeterra as a setting deserving exploration across multiple different genres and mediums. The action RPG fits naturally into this expansion strategy, providing players an entirely different way to interact with the beloved intellectual property.
The scheduling of this development effort stands as particularly noteworthy given Riot’s existing commitments to other League-connected projects. With the MMO continuing development following its 2024 reset and the appointment of ex-World of Warcraft director Raymond Bartos, the company is showing remarkable confidence in the franchise’s ability to support multiple major releases simultaneously. This two-project strategy mirrors proven approaches employed by leading gaming studios with sprawling universes. By creating titles across different genres in parallel, Riot can sustain player interest through varied experiences 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 in development simultaneously across diverse studios and genres
- Runeterra setting growing by means of interconnected game offerings and multimedia adaptations
- Existing IP enables Riot to utilise current lore and roster of characters effectively
Development Schedule and Outlook
The contractual status of the posted positions suggests this action RPG remains in its infancy, likely years away from any public reveal or release. Early-stage research and development initiatives at major studios generally demand considerable duration before achieving functional prototypes, let alone commercial viability. Riot’s decision to recruit for such foundational projects indicates genuine commitment to exploring the ARPG genre within the League universe, though patience will be required from eager fans. The Shanghai studio’s involvement in this foundational phase allows 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 creates an fascinating development landscape for Riot Games. Should both the MMO and action RPG develop as planned, the publisher could cement its status as a dominant force in genre-spanning franchise development during the latter half of this decade. The appointment of Raymond Bartos to the MMO underscores Riot’s serious investment in creating quality products rather than rushing products to market. Similarly, the measured, restrained approach to the ARPG’s development implies the company has learned from past missteps and now emphasises sustainable, well-resourced production cycles across its portfolio of significant franchises.
