A Milestone for Last Epoch
As a die-hard Last Epoch fan who’s lived in its time-twisting world since 2019, my heart sank when I heard Eleventh Hour Games (EHG), our cherished indie studio, was acquired by Krafton, the South Korean giant behind PUBG: Battlegrounds.
The news broke on the official forums and Reddit, with EHG’s founder and Game Director Judd Cobler (u/moxjet200) calling it “an acquisition by KRAFTON to take Last Epoch to new heights.” It’s a chance for EHG to soar, but Krafton’s string of flops and recent scandals have our tight-knit community reeling, haunted by the fears of losing the indie soul that makes Last Epoch feel like home. Cobler’s optimism is a faint light, but the apparent community dread casts a heavy shadow over this milestone.
From Reddit to Reality: Last Epoch’s Journey
Eleventh Hour Games began in 2017 with a Reddit post by founder and Game Director Judd Cobler, rallying ARPG enthusiasts to create “the next great ARPG.” Through a successful 2018 Kickstarter campaign that raised just over $250,000, EHG crafted Last Epoch, a time-travel ARPG praised for its deep skill systems and engaging gameplay. Launched on Steam and featuring a standalone client, the game sold over 2.5 million units by April 2025, establishing a passionate fan base. Krafton’s acquisition is supposed to provide EHG with resources to accelerate content updates, enhance systems, and expand Last Epoch’s reach. EHG, led by Cobler, emphasized retaining creative control, a crucial reassurance for fans wary of Krafton’s influence given its rocky history.
Subnautica 2 Controversy Casts a Shadow
Krafton faces a lawsuit (as reported by Bloomberg here and here) from the ousted leaders of Unknown Worlds over Subnautica 2. In July 2025, Krafton fired co-founders Charlie Cleveland, Max McGuire, and CEO Ted Gill, replacing them with Steve Papoutsis, and delayed the game’s early access to 2026. The trio sued, alleging Krafton sabotaged the launch to avoid a $250 million earnout bonus by halting marketing and support, including canceling a PC Gamer cover story. Krafton claims the delay was due to quality concerns, citing missing content such as biomes, and accuses the leaders of neglecting their duties.
Community Reactions: Concern Overshadows Optimism
Last Epoch community’s response, drawn from Reddit and the game’s official forums, is dominated by concern and skepticism, with fans wary of Krafton’s track record. Although some positive outlooks peek through the dread.
On Reddit, Judd Cobler (u/moxjet200), EHG’s founder and Game Director, expressed optimism, stating, “We’re thrilled to partner with KRAFTON to take Last Epoch to new heights while keeping our community at the heart of everything we do!” He reassured fans, noting, “Our team retains full creative control, and we’re focused on delivering the content you love, just with more resources to make it happen faster.”
However, fans on the forums and Reddit largely expressed unease. Redditors voiced fears, with one stating, “Krafton’s track record isn’t great, look at what’s happening with Subnautica 2. I hope EHG stays in the driver’s seat.” Another warned, “This could mean microtransactions or a rushed mess,” reflecting distrust in Krafton’s intentions.
One user praised, “Last Epoch was honestly really good and caught me by surprise last year,” but added, “Good thing they [KRAFTON] have all that spare cash from not paying out the bonuses,” referencing the Subnautica 2 drama. Fans on the forums echoed this, with one noting, “I’m worried Krafton will push monetization that ruins the game’s soul.” While Cobler’s promise of creative control offers some hope, the community’s predominant sentiment is one of caution and doubt.
However, it is fair to note that Cobler did state in the forum that KRAFTON “has ultimate authority” over the game.
A Bright but Uncertain Future
With Krafton’s support, EHG aims to deliver faster updates and ambitious content for Last Epoch, building on its Season 2 success and roadmap for new campaign chapters. Cobler’s assurances provide a glimmer of optimism, but Krafton’s troubled releases and the Subnautica 2 lawsuit cast a long shadow, with fans fearing EHG, under Cobler’s leadership, may face similar challenges. As the studio navigates this new chapter, its dedicated community will watch closely to ensure Last Epoch remains true to its indie roots.
For the latest Last Epoch news, keep an eye on Icy Veins, where we’ll break down news as it happens!
