In a recent press release, KRAFTON — the publisher behind titles such as the Sims-like life sim InZOI and the upcoming Subnautica 2 — announced that they have acquired Eleventh Hour games, the developers behind the 2024’s ARPG Last Epoch. According to a statement given by the publisher, the reason behind this acquisition is for Krafton to gain foothold in the ARPG genre and that they intend to support the developers in providing regular updates for the game and in porting the game to consoles.
Last Epoch launched out of Steam Early Access last year to a very positive reception from fans of the ARPG genre, particularly those frustrated with the genre’s current state. With over 3 million copies sold, it’s reasonable to say that the game has been a flying success for its developer Eleventh Hour games. Krafton acknowledged the studio’s success, stating that:
“The game has gained a dedicated following, praised for its innovative systems, gameplay design, and commitment to refining the core elements that define the genre. Following its recent update, Last Epoch has delivered strong performance in player activation and concurrency metrics and is increasingly recognized as one of the most notable titles in the global Action RPG space.”
The publisher also confirmed that the studio will retain full leadership and creative autonomy, potentially addressing player concerns regarding Krafton’s involvement in the game’s development. Judd Cobbler, the CEO of Eleventh Hour Games, gave the following statement about the acquisition:
“Joining KRAFTON is a dream come true for Eleventh Hour Games. Their deep-rooted passion for ARPGs aligns perfectly with our mission. With KRAFTON’s support, EHG is poised to elevate the Last Epoch franchise to even greater heights. As a studio built from players of the genre, we couldn’t be more excited for its future.”
However, that hasn’t done much to alleviate player’s doubts as soon after the announcement players took to the Last Epoch steam page to flood the game with negative reviews. Many players have expressed concerns that this means the game will introduce predatory monetization down the line.
This acquisition comes hot off the heels of Krafton laying off the founders and CEO of the development studio behind Subnautica 2, Unknown Worlds, and delaying the game to 2026. Keeping that in mind, it’s no wonder that players are concerned. Whether this acquisition proves to be a blessing or a curse for Last Epoch and Eleventh Hour Games remains to be seen.
