Riot Games seems to be developing a League of Legends action RPG in confidentiality, based on newly uncovered job listings posted to the company’s recruitment page. Two contract positions 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 underway, 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 compact team is building 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, indicating an significant growth of the franchise throughout various game categories.
Shanghai Studio Confidential Initiative Surfaces
The two contract postings found on Riot’s careers page reveal that the Shanghai studio is hiring for an unreleased action game set within the League of Legends universe. The Combat Designer role specifically emphasises building and iterating on combat systems from the ground up, with candidates expected to demonstrate deep knowledge of action titles and role-playing games. The position highlights the importance of combat feel, mechanics and artificial intelligence—core elements that would define the player experience in any action-focused game. Meanwhile, the CG animator vacancy seeks experts in experience in stylised character work, suggesting Riot intends to maintain visual consistency with League’s distinctive art direction.
Whilst neither vacancy listing explicitly names the project, both positions flag League of Legends IP knowledge as a bonus qualification, clearly establishing Runeterra as the probable location. The fixed-term character of these roles generally suggests initial production phases, meaning the action RPG could still be some time before formal declaration or launch. This finding underscores Riot’s wider approach to broaden the League franchise away from its main MOBA game, subsequent to successful expansions into animated productions, card games and mobile titles. The simultaneous development of both an MMO and an action role-playing game illustrates the organisation’s dedication to exploring various game types within the Runeterra universe.
- Action Game Designer role concentrates on action/ARPG mechanics creation
- CG animator position highlights stylised character animation expertise
- Project utilises Unreal Engine for game development
- Contract positions indicate early-stage research and development phase presently underway
What the Employment Opportunities Demonstrate
Fighting Mechanics at the Centre
The Action Game Combat Designer role constitutes the core pillar of Riot’s action RPG ambitions, with the position directly charged with building and iterating on combat systems from scratch. The job description emphasises applicants require extensive experience in action games and ARPGs, with specific emphasis on the player experience of combat, the core systems that foster player engagement, and the AI systems that control enemy actions. This degree of detail suggests Riot is not merely implementing established combat systems but rather developing a bespoke system tailored to deliver a unique action experience in the League universe.
The emphasis on combat feel and mechanics suggests that Riot recognises the critical importance of satisfying, responsive gameplay in the action-based RPG genre. By recruiting specialists who are skilled at creating engaging combat systems, the company is signalling its intention to compete seriously within a competitive landscape of action-driven games. The requirement for Unreal Engine knowledge also illustrates that Riot is employing proven technology standards to accomplish its objectives, enabling the team to concentrate creative effort on what makes the game unique rather than developing custom tools from scratch.
Runeterra as the Probable Setting
Although neither job posting explicitly identifies the project, both postings highlight familiarity with League of Legends intellectual property as a desirable qualification, placing Runeterra firmly in focus as the likely backdrop. This strategic positioning allows Riot to tap into the existing lore, character roster and worldbuilding that has developed across multiple media formats, including the award-winning animation Arcane and the collectible card game Legends of Runeterra. Using existing intellectual property minimises the creative workload of world-building whilst offering audiences with familiar components that enhance immersion and investment in the narrative.
The choice to set the action RPG within Runeterra also supports Riot’s broader franchise strategy of creating linked gameplay experiences throughout various 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 reward engaged fans. This approach maximises 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 aspirations beyond its beginnings as a competitive multiplayer online battle arena. The company has been systematically broadening the League universe through diverse media and gaming experiences, from the critically acclaimed Arcane animation to the Legends of Runeterra card game. This multifaceted approach converts League from a single-game franchise into a expansive entertainment platform, positioning Runeterra as a world worthy of exploration throughout multiple genres and platforms. The action RPG fits naturally into this expansion strategy, offering players an completely new way to engage with the cherished game world.
The timing of this project initiative stands as notably noteworthy given Riot’s existing commitments to other League-related 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 ability 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 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 |
- Multiple League initiatives in progress simultaneously throughout diverse studios and genres
- Runeterra setting extending through integrated game offerings and media adaptations
- Existing IP allows Riot to utilise current lore and character rosters successfully
Development Timeline and Prospects
The contractual status of the posted positions suggests this action role-playing game remains in its infancy, likely years away from any official announcement or release. Preliminary research and development projects at major studios generally demand substantial time before achieving functional prototypes, let alone commercial viability. Riot’s decision to recruit for such foundational projects indicates real dedication to exploring the ARPG genre within the League universe, though restraint will be necessary from enthusiastic players. The Shanghai studio’s participation in this foundational phase enables the team to experiment with gameplay mechanics, combat design and visual direction without the pressure of tight schedules or public expectations.
Looking ahead, the alignment 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 multi-genre franchise development across the latter half of this decade. The recruitment of Raymond Bartos to the MMO demonstrates Riot’s genuine commitment in creating quality products rather than rushing products to market. Similarly, the careful, measured approach to the ARPG’s development indicates the company has addressed prior shortcomings and now focuses on sustainable, well-resourced production cycles across its portfolio of ambitious titles.
