Riot Games seems to be developing a League of Legends action role-playing game in secret, based on 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—suggest an early-stage research and development project is in progress, with both roles highlighting 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 concurrently pushes its long-problematic League of Legends MMO into full development, indicating an significant growth of the franchise throughout various game categories.
Shanghai Studio’s Hidden Venture Comes to Light
The two job listings 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 particularly highlights developing and refining combat systems from the ground up, with candidates required to show extensive expertise of action titles and role-playing games. The position highlights the importance of combat feel, game mechanics and AI—core elements that would define the player experience in any action-oriented title. Meanwhile, the CG animator position seeks experts in background in stylised character work, suggesting Riot intends to preserve visual coherence with League’s signature visual style.
Whilst neither job posting explicitly references the project, both positions flag League of Legends IP familiarity as a desirable skill, clearly establishing Runeterra as the expected backdrop. The fixed-term character of these roles usually points to initial production phases, meaning the action RPG could still be some time before public reveal or launch. This revelation highlights Riot’s overarching plan to diversify the League franchise away from its main MOBA game, following years of successful expansions into animated series, collectible card games and mobile titles. The simultaneous development of both an MMO and an action RPG showcases the firm’s resolve to exploring different categories within the Runeterra universe.
- Action Game Designer role concentrates on action role-playing game mechanics development
- CG animator role highlights stylised character animation expertise
- Project uses Unreal Engine for game development
- Contract positions indicate early-stage research and development phase presently underway
What the Position Advertisements Disclose
Battle Systems at the Heart
The Combat Game Designer role forms the cornerstone of Riot’s action RPG aspirations, with the position directly charged with building and iterating on combat systems from scratch. The role specification stresses candidates must possess deep expertise in action games and action RPGs, with particular focus on how combat feels to players, the core systems that foster player engagement, and the AI systems that control enemy actions. This degree of detail indicates Riot is not simply applying established combat systems but rather creating a custom system tailored to deliver a unique action experience in the League universe.
The focus on combat feel and mechanics demonstrates that Riot recognises the critical importance of satisfying, responsive gameplay in the action-based RPG genre. By hiring experts who are skilled at creating compelling combat mechanics, the company is signalling its intention to establish itself within a competitive landscape of action-focused titles. The demand for Unreal Engine proficiency additionally shows that Riot is employing established industry tools to accomplish its objectives, enabling the team to direct creative resources on what makes the game unique rather than creating bespoke solutions from scratch.
Runeterra as the Plausible Backdrop
Although neither job posting explicitly names the project, both postings flag familiarity with League of Legends IP as a preferred requirement, 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 evolved throughout various platforms, including the award-winning animation Arcane and the trading card game Legends of Runeterra. Using existing intellectual property reduces the creative burden of world-building whilst offering audiences with recognisable elements that enhance immersion and investment in the narrative.
The choice to place the action RPG in Runeterra also supports Riot’s wider franchise strategy of creating 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 creates opportunities for cross-promotional activities and interconnected storylines that satisfy dedicated players. This strategy maximises the value of the company’s creative efforts whilst establishing Runeterra as a comprehensive entertainment destination similar to established 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 origins as a competitive multiplayer online battle arena. The company has been progressively expanding 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 transforms League from a single-game franchise into a comprehensive entertainment ecosystem, positioning Runeterra as a world worthy of exploration throughout multiple genres and platforms. The action RPG fits naturally into this growth plan, offering players an entirely different way to engage with the beloved intellectual property.
The release window of this project initiative demonstrates especially noteworthy given Riot’s current obligations 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 ability 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 varied genres in parallel, Riot can sustain player interest through varied experiences whilst building anticipation for each individual release. The Shanghai studio’s involvement suggests 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 titles in development simultaneously throughout different studios and categories
- Runeterra world expanding by means of linked interactive experiences and cross-media expansions
- Existing IP enables Riot to make use of current lore and character rosters efficiently
Development Schedule and Outlook
The contractual status of the posted positions suggests this action role-playing game remains in its infancy, probably several years before any public reveal or release. Preliminary research and development projects at large development houses generally demand substantial time before reaching functional prototypes, let alone commercial viability. Riot’s decision to recruit for such preliminary work indicates real dedication to exploring the ARPG category within the League universe, though patience will be required from enthusiastic players. The Shanghai studio’s participation in this initial stage enables the team to test out combat systems, mechanics and artistic direction without the pressure of immediate deadlines or public expectations.
Looking ahead, the convergence of multiple League projects creates an intriguing 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 cross-genre franchise development throughout 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 suggests the company has moved beyond previous failures and now focuses on sustainable, adequately resourced production cycles across its portfolio of significant franchises.
