"Krafton, the publisher behind 'Subnautica 2', acquires Eleventh Hour Games, creators of 'Last Epoch', for a staggering $96 million"
Krafton, a leading South Korean video game publisher, has announced a deal to acquire Eleventh Hour Games, the creators of the action role-playing game (ARPG) Last Epoch. This strategic move aims to strengthen Krafton's position in the global ARPG market and diversify its genre portfolio.
In a recent press release, Maria Park, Krafton's head of corporate development, reaffirmed Krafton's unwavering passion for great games and the teams that build them. She stated that the company will always stand behind developers who put players first. Park expressed enthusiasm about welcoming Eleventh Hour Games into the Krafton family, highlighting EHG's commitment to the ARPG community and innovative approach to game development.
Eleventh Hour Games was founded in 2018 and has been independently developing Last Epoch since 2017. The game was launched in 2024 and has sold more than three million copies worldwide. The acquisition reaffirms Krafton's commitment to supporting innovative developers and their games that prioritize player experience.
The strategic goal behind Krafton's acquisition of Eleventh Hour Games is to expand Krafton's presence in the global ARPG market by securing a competitive franchise IP, broadening the player base, and enhancing live service capabilities. Krafton aims to provide Eleventh Hour Games with the resources and infrastructure needed to scale development across console platforms, expand seasonal content, and ensure long-term growth of the Last Epoch franchise, while allowing the studio to retain full creative autonomy and leadership.
With Krafton's support, Last Epoch is expected to extend its reach beyond PC to multiple console platforms, expand and scale its seasonal content pipeline, improve live service operations and international publishing, and expand the development team with new hires fueled by Krafton's investment. These changes will influence the development of Last Epoch by fueling the ambition to make it “the very best ARPG in the genre,” enabling a larger, more polished, cross-platform experience with ongoing content and stronger community engagement.
Judd Cobler, CEO of Eleventh Hour Games, expressed excitement about joining Krafton, stating that their shared passion for ARPGs aligns with EHG's mission. Cobler expressed optimism about EHG's future, stating that with Krafton's support, EHG is poised to elevate the Last Epoch franchise to even greater heights.
The deal between Krafton and Eleventh Hour Games is valued at $96 million. The press release regarding the acquisition was issued by the companies on Friday. This acquisition is seen as a significant move to strengthen Krafton's position in the global market and diversify its genre portfolio.
In conclusion, Krafton’s acquisition of Eleventh Hour Games is a strategic move to turn Last Epoch into a leading global ARPG franchise. By combining Eleventh Hour's creative talent with Krafton's financial and operational resources, the companies aim to achieve sustainable growth and competitive dominance in the market.
Technology will undoubtedly play a vital role in Krafton's expansion of the Last Epoch franchise, as they aim to enhance live service capabilities and scale development across console platforms. The addition of Eleventh Hour Games' innovative approach to game development will significantly contribute to Krafton's gadgetry, further enriching their genre portfolio.
