Riot Games reportedly working on next League of Legends title to build a Genshin-like game for Mobile and PC

Riot Games, the renowned developer behind the global phenomenon League of Legends, is reportedly embarking on an ambitious new project, an unannounced title within the expansive League of Legends intellectual property (IP). This new endeavor, believed to be spearheaded by the company’s Shanghai studio, is generating significant buzz due to its potential to mirror the highly successful open-world action RPG formula pioneered by HoYoverse’s Genshin Impact, with an expected release across both PC and mobile platforms.

Reports Emerge: The Genesis of the Rumor

The initial whispers of this monumental project surfaced through reports shared by prominent gaming commentators, notably SargeOP on X (formerly Twitter), which quickly ignited speculation across the gaming community. These reports suggested that Riot Games was actively staffing up for a new game, distinct from its existing lineup, which would transport players into the rich lore and vibrant world of Runeterra, but in an entirely new genre. The direct comparison to Genshin Impact immediately captured attention, hinting at a vast open-world experience featuring exploration, character collection, and deep combat systems, a significant departure from League of Legends’ traditional multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) roots. This strategic pivot, if confirmed, would represent one of Riot Games’ most significant expansions of its core IP to date, positioning the unannounced title as a potential cornerstone of its future portfolio.

Riot’s Strategic Expansion: A Multi-Genre Universe

Riot Games has a well-documented history of evolving beyond its single-game origins. Founded in 2006, the company initially gained global recognition with the launch of League of Legends in 2009, which rapidly became one of the most played PC games worldwide and a dominant force in esports. For years, the company focused almost exclusively on enhancing its flagship title. However, in recent years, Riot has aggressively pursued a strategy of IP diversification, transforming League of Legends from a single game into a sprawling multimedia franchise. This expansion includes the tactical shooter Valorant, the digital collectible card game Legends of Runeterra, the auto battler Teamfight Tactics, and the mobile MOBA Wild Rift. Furthermore, Riot Forge, an initiative launched in 2019, collaborates with third-party studios to create story-driven, single-player games set within the League of Legends universe, such as Ruined King: A League of Legends Story and Convergence: A League of Legends Story. This consistent pattern demonstrates Riot’s commitment to exploring various genres and platforms to deepen player engagement with the Runeterra universe. The reported Genshin-like project aligns perfectly with this broader strategy, indicating a continued push to leverage the IP’s immense potential in new and exciting ways.

The Genshin Impact Phenomenon: A Blueprint for Success

To understand the magnitude of Riot’s potential venture, it is crucial to examine the game it is reportedly emulating: Genshin Impact. Developed by Chinese studio HoYoverse (formerly miHoYo), Genshin Impact launched in September 2020 and swiftly became a global sensation. It is a free-to-play open-world action RPG that combines anime-inspired aesthetics with an expansive world, deep elemental combat mechanics, a compelling gacha-based character acquisition system, and regular content updates. Crucially, Genshin Impact was developed from the ground up for cross-platform play, seamlessly integrating PC, mobile (iOS and Android), and PlayStation consoles.

The game’s financial success has been staggering. Within its first year, Genshin Impact generated over $3 billion in revenue, making it the fastest game to achieve this milestone. By early 2024, its lifetime revenue had reportedly surpassed $5 billion on mobile alone, cementing its status as one of the most profitable video games of all time. Its success proved that a high-quality, graphically intensive open-world RPG could thrive on mobile devices while also appealing to traditional PC and console gamers. This model, characterized by continuous live-service content, character-driven storytelling, and robust monetization through gacha mechanics, has set a new benchmark for cross-platform gaming experiences, particularly for titles originating from Asia. Riot Games’ reported ambition to create a similar experience within the League of Legends IP suggests a recognition of Genshin Impact’s monumental achievement and a desire to tap into a proven, highly lucrative market segment.

Unveiling the Clues: Job Listings and Development Signals

Concrete evidence supporting these rumors can be found in Riot Games’ public job postings. A review of the official Riot Games "Work With Us" portal reveals numerous open positions, particularly within the Shanghai studio, specifically referencing an "unannounced R&D product." These listings cover a wide array of specialized roles critical for the development of a large-scale open-world RPG. Positions like "Combat Designer," "Gameplay Engineer," "Animation Lead," and "Art Director" are consistently advertised, often seeking candidates with experience in 3D action games, open-world environments, and cross-platform development. The sheer volume and specialized nature of these roles strongly indicate a significant, long-term commitment to a new flagship title rather than a smaller experimental project.

The focus on the Shanghai studio is also telling. Riot Games Shanghai plays a pivotal role in the company’s global development strategy, often leading projects with a strong emphasis on the Asian market, where mobile gaming dominates and titles like Genshin Impact have achieved their greatest successes. This geographical focus further supports the hypothesis of a Genshin-like game, designed to appeal to a broad, international audience accustomed to high-fidelity mobile experiences. The job descriptions frequently emphasize experience with complex character systems, diverse enemy types, and expansive world design, all hallmarks of an open-world action RPG. While Riot Games maintains strict confidentiality regarding unannounced projects, the patterns in their recruitment efforts provide substantial insight into their developmental pipeline.

Navigating the Development Landscape: Shifting Priorities

The emergence of this Genshin-like project also brings into focus other rumored or previously announced Riot Games titles. For instance, Valorant Mobile, the mobile adaptation of Riot’s popular tactical shooter, has been in development for an extended period, with occasional teasers and private beta tests, but still lacks an official release date. Its prolonged development cycle suggests the complexities of porting a high-fidelity competitive shooter to mobile while maintaining its core gameplay integrity.

Furthermore, reports from late last year indicated that Riot was also working on other FPS titles set within the Valorant universe, including an extraction shooter codenamed "Project T." These projects were reportedly in various stages of development, with some suggesting significant investment. However, recent speculation indicates that "Project T" may have been "reworked or moved aside as priorities shifted." While nothing is officially confirmed by Riot Games, the timing of these rumors suggests a potential reallocation of resources. Developing a Genshin-like open-world RPG is an incredibly resource-intensive undertaking, requiring significant capital, talent, and strategic focus. It is plausible that Riot Games has opted to consolidate its efforts on what it perceives as its next major tentpole release, potentially re-evaluating other projects to ensure the success of this ambitious new endeavor. Such strategic adjustments are common in the highly competitive game development industry, where market trends and internal strategic goals constantly evolve.

The Allure of Runeterra: Potential and Possibilities

An open-world action RPG set in the League of Legends universe presents a wealth of creative possibilities. The world of Runeterra is already incredibly rich and diverse, featuring distinct regions like the technologically advanced Piltover, the arcane-infused Demacia, the treacherous Noxus, the mystical Ionia, and the frozen Freljord. Each region boasts unique cultures, histories, and a vast cast of iconic champions, all with intricate backstories.

Imagine exploring the bustling streets of Bilgewater as Miss Fortune, scaling the icy peaks of the Freljord as Ashe, or delving into the shadowy depths of Zaun as Jinx. A Genshin-like structure would allow players to recruit and switch between various League of Legends champions, each bringing their unique abilities and playstyles to combat and exploration. The elemental interactions present in Genshin Impact could be reinterpreted through Runeterra’s magic systems, incorporating abilities related to fire, ice, lightning, earth, and arcane energies. The potential for character-driven quests, lore exploration, and uncovering the secrets of Runeterra through a narrative-rich, single-player (or co-op) experience is immense. This genre could appeal to both existing League of Legends fans eager to explore their favorite champions in a new light and newcomers drawn by the captivating world and engaging gameplay. It would also allow Riot to delve deeper into the lore that has been cultivated over a decade, offering players a more immersive and personal connection to the universe than a traditional MOBA can provide.

Challenges and Expectations: A High-Stakes Venture

While the potential is enormous, so are the challenges. Developing a game of this scale and ambition is no small feat. The expectations set by Genshin Impact are incredibly high, both in terms of graphical fidelity, open-world design, combat depth, and consistent content updates. Riot Games would need to invest heavily in cutting-edge technology, art assets, and a robust live-service infrastructure to meet these benchmarks.

• Technical Complexity: Building a seamless open world that performs well across both high-end PCs and diverse mobile devices requires sophisticated optimization and scalable graphics.
• Monetization Model: Adopting a gacha-based monetization system, while highly profitable, also carries risks. Players expect fair chances, compelling character designs, and a generous free-to-play experience to prevent burnout or accusations of predatory practices. Riot would need to carefully balance accessibility with profitability.
• Lore Integration: Seamlessly integrating over 160 champions and their complex backstories into a cohesive open-world narrative requires masterful storytelling and character design.
• Competition: The open-world action RPG market is becoming increasingly crowded, with numerous developers attempting to replicate Genshin Impact’s success. Riot would need to differentiate its offering with unique mechanics, compelling narratives, and the inherent strength of the League of Legends IP.
• Player Expectations: League of Legends fans are passionate and have high expectations for any new title bearing the IP. Meeting these expectations while also attracting a new audience will be critical.

Broader Industry Implications: The Race for Cross-Platform Dominance

Riot Games’ potential entry into the Genshin-like genre has broader implications for the gaming industry. It underscores a growing trend among major developers to leverage established IPs for cross-platform, live-service open-world experiences. This strategy aims to capture the lucrative mobile market while retaining engagement from PC and console players, effectively creating a unified ecosystem. The success of games like Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail has demonstrated the viability and profitability of this model, prompting other industry giants to follow suit.

For Riot, this move could solidify its position as a multi-genre powerhouse and further expand the reach of the League of Legends universe. It signals a continued commitment to innovation and adaptation in a rapidly evolving market. If successful, such a title could set new standards for IP utilization and cross-platform development, particularly for Western developers venturing into a genre largely dominated by Asian studios.

Conclusion: Awaiting Official Confirmation

As of now, Riot Games has made no official announcement regarding this rumored Genshin-like project. All information remains speculative, based on job postings and industry leaks. However, the confluence of evidence, from targeted recruitment in the Shanghai studio to the strategic fit within Riot’s IP diversification efforts and the undeniable market success of Genshin Impact, paints a compelling picture. The prospect of an open-world action RPG set in the rich and vibrant world of Runeterra is undoubtedly exciting for millions of League of Legends fans and the broader gaming community. The industry will be keenly watching for any official confirmation from Riot Games, eager to see how they plan to translate the magic of their iconic universe into what could be their next major global hit. Until then, the anticipation continues to build for what promises to be a truly ambitious undertaking.