Krafton purchase of developer Eleventh Hour Games, known for Last Epoch, now extends to Subnautica 2 publishing rights.
In a significant move, South Korean gaming giant Krafton has announced the acquisition of Eleventh Hour Games, the developer behind the popular action RPG "Last Epoch." The deal, worth an initial consideration of $96 million, marks Krafton's latest strategic investment in the gaming industry.
Eleventh Hour Games, best known for its work on "Last Epoch," will join Krafton's roster of internal studios. The studio will continue to operate under its existing leadership and organizational structure, maintaining creative autonomy. This move is expected to bolster Eleventh Hour's development team, enabling them to create more content, improve the game, and expand to console platforms.
Krafton's strategic goal is to support and expand "Last Epoch" by providing comprehensive infrastructure, global publishing, and live services support. This backing is intended to help Eleventh Hour reach new heights and achieve long-term growth for the franchise. The acquisition secures the future of the "Last Epoch" franchise, providing a foundation for long-term franchise growth, including console versions and enhanced seasonal content operations.
The acquisition also signals Krafton's commitment to strengthening its portfolio in the ARPG space. Eleventh Hour's title, with its strong player engagement, is a respected addition to Krafton's portfolio. The deal comes after Krafton's purchase of Tango Gameworks and the Hi-Fi Rush franchise from Microsoft in 2024, and its leading of a $11.3 million investment into Eschatology Entertainment the same year.
Judd Cobler, founder of Eleventh Hour Games, expressed his excitement about the acquisition, stating that Krafton shares their passion for the action ARPG genre and is ready to help fuel their efforts in raising "Last Epoch" to new heights. However, the deal has been met with legal action from Unknown Worlds' former leadership team, who claim they were ousted to avoid paying a $250 million bonus. Krafton has refuted these allegations.
Currently, "Last Epoch" is enjoyed by millions of players worldwide. The game, which has been in development since 2017, is set in a dark, post-apocalyptic world where players must gather resources, build their characters, and fight against formidable enemies. With Krafton's support, Eleventh Hour aims to continue delivering engaging content to its dedicated player base and attract new players to the "Last Epoch" universe.
[1] Eleventh Hour Games Joins Krafton's Roster of Internal Studios [2] Krafton Acquires Eleventh Hour Games: What It Means for "Last Epoch" [4] Krafton's Strategic Acquisition of Eleventh Hour Games: A Boost for the Action RPG Genre [5] Krafton's Fiscal Report Outlines Plans for a "Big Franchise IP"
[1] This acquisition of Eleventh Hour Games by Krafton brings the popular action RPG developers into Krafton's internal studios, with a focus on enhancing "Last Epoch" and expanding into console platforms.
[4] The strategic acquisition of Eleventh Hour Games by Krafton bolsters the action RPG genre by adding a respected title with strong player engagement to Krafton's portfolio, aiming to fuel the growth of the "Last Epoch" franchise.
