Riot Games seems to be developing a League of Legends action role-playing game in confidentiality, 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 CG animator—indicate an early-phase R&D 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 suggest 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 active production, signalling an significant growth of the franchise throughout various game categories.
Shanghai Studio Hidden Venture Surfaces
The two contract postings found on Riot’s careers page reveal that the Shanghai studio is actively recruiting for an unreleased action game 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 underscores the significance of combat feel, mechanics and artificial intelligence—core elements that would shape how players engage in any action-focused game. Meanwhile, the animation specialist position seeks experts in experience in stylised character work, suggesting Riot intends to maintain visual consistency with League’s signature visual style.
Whilst neither position advertisement explicitly identifies the project, both positions flag League of Legends IP understanding as a desirable skill, clearly establishing 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 publication. This finding highlights Riot’s broader strategy to expand the League franchise beyond its core MOBA game, after periods of prosperous ventures into animated productions, collectible card games and mobile titles. The concurrent creation of both an MMO and an action RPG illustrates the organisation’s dedication to exploring various game types within the Runeterra universe.
- Action Game Designer role concentrates on action role-playing game mechanics creation
- CG animator position highlights stylised character animation expertise
- Project utilises Unreal Engine for game development
- Contract positions suggest early-stage research and development phase currently underway
What the Position Advertisements Show
Battle Systems at the Core
The Combat Game Designer posting constitutes the foundation of Riot’s action RPG aspirations, with the position explicitly tasked with developing and refining combat systems from the ground up. The role specification emphasises applicants require extensive experience in action games and action RPGs, with particular focus on the player experience of combat, the core systems that drive engagement, and the artificial intelligence systems that govern enemy behaviour. This level of specificity indicates Riot is not simply applying existing combat frameworks but rather creating a custom system tailored to deliver a unique action experience in the League universe.
The priority placed on combat feel and mechanics demonstrates that Riot recognises the essential value of satisfying, responsive gameplay in the action-based RPG genre. By hiring experts who are skilled at creating immersive combat systems, the company is demonstrating its commitment to compete seriously within a competitive landscape of action-oriented titles. The need for Unreal Engine proficiency further demonstrates that Riot is leveraging industry-standard technology to realise its goals, enabling the team to direct creative resources on the game’s distinctive elements rather than developing custom tools from scratch.
Runeterra as the Probable Setting
Although neither position announcement explicitly identifies the project, both postings highlight familiarity with League of Legends IP as a preferred requirement, placing Runeterra squarely in the frame as the likely backdrop. This deliberate approach allows Riot to tap into the existing lore, 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. Using existing intellectual property minimises the creative workload of world-building whilst providing players with familiar components that enhance immersion and commitment to the narrative.
The decision to place the action RPG in Runeterra also aligns with Riot’s broader franchise strategy of developing interconnected 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 value of the company’s creative efforts whilst positioning Runeterra as a comprehensive entertainment destination similar to well-known 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 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 highly praised Arcane animated series to the Legends of Runeterra 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 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 scheduling of this project initiative stands as notably noteworthy given Riot’s current obligations 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 capacity to support multiple major releases simultaneously. This two-project strategy mirrors successful strategies employed by leading gaming studios with sprawling universes. By developing games across different 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 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 titles in development at the same time across diverse studios and types
- Runeterra world expanding via linked interactive experiences and cross-media expansions
- Established IP permits Riot to leverage established storyline and roster of characters efficiently
Development Schedule and Outlook
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. Early-stage research and development projects at large development houses generally demand considerable duration before reaching functional prototypes, let alone commercial viability. Riot’s decision to recruit for such preliminary work indicates genuine commitment to investigating the ARPG genre within the League universe, though restraint will be necessary from enthusiastic players. The Shanghai studio’s participation 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 alignment of multiple League projects creates an intriguing development landscape for Riot Games. Should both the MMO and action RPG advance favourably, the publisher could establish itself as a dominant force in multi-genre franchise development throughout the latter half of this decade. The hiring of Raymond Bartos to the MMO reflects Riot’s substantial dedication in producing quality content rather than rushing products to market. Similarly, the careful, measured approach to the ARPG’s development implies the company has moved beyond previous failures and now prioritises sustainable, adequately resourced production cycles throughout its portfolio of major projects.
