KRAFTON Secures Eleventh Hour Games, Creators of Last Epoch

KRAFTON Expands Its Portfolio with Acquisition of Eleventh Hour Games

KRAFTON, known for its recent controversies involving Unknown Worlds, is making headlines once again. This time, the focus is on its strategic acquisition of Eleventh Hour Games (EHG), the developers behind the successful action RPG, Last Epoch. This acquisition comes amidst allegations from Unknown Worlds’ co-founders who claim KRAFTON delayed the launch of Subnautica 2 to sidestep a hefty $250 million financial commitment.

About Eleventh Hour Games

Founded in 2017, Eleventh Hour Games began as a grassroots initiative, spearheaded by CEO Judd Cobler. The development team was largely assembled through Reddit outreach, aiming to create a unique gaming experience. A successful Kickstarter campaign in 2018 provided the funding needed to kick off their operations, leading to the Early Access launch of Last Epoch on April 30, 2019. The game has since garnered immense popularity, officially launching its 1.0 version on February 21, 2024, and selling an impressive 3 million copies as reported by a press release.

KRAFTON’s Vision for Last Epoch

KRAFTON expressed that this acquisition aims to solidify its foothold in the highly competitive Action RPG market, enhancing its global presence. According to KRAFTON, this partnership will equip Eleventh Hour Games with the necessary resources to better connect with their community, enabling ongoing development and expansion across console platforms. This will ultimately pave the way for an enriched game experience with more seasonal content, ensuring Last Epoch continues to resonate with its audience.

Statements from Leadership

Maria Park, KRAFTON’s head of corporate development, voiced enthusiasm over EHG joining the KRAFTON family, celebrating their journey from an indie studio to a globally recognized developer in the ARPG space. Park emphasized KRAFTON’s dedication to developers prioritizing player engagement and satisfaction, a sentiment that many perceive as a contrast to their relations with Unknown Worlds.

From Eleventh Hour Games’ perspective, Judd Cobler described the acquisition as “a dream come true.”He shared that KRAFTON’s commitment to the ARPG genre aligns seamlessly with their vision for Last Epoch. Cobler expressed optimism that this partnership will propel the studio—and the game—towards unprecedented success.

Looking Ahead

Given KRAFTON’s current legal entanglements with Unknown Worlds, skepticism surrounds these optimistic declarations. The situation has shifted drastically over the years, as noted by Unknown Worlds co-founder Charlie Cleveland, who once acknowledged alignment in goals with KRAFTON. However, past experiences may raise concerns regarding the stability and longevity of the new partnership between KRAFTON and Eleventh Hour Games.

As Eleventh Hour Games moves forward under the KRAFTON banner, many are hopeful that this development leads to a prosperous future for the studio and its flagship title, Last Epoch.

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