Diablo 4’s biggest indie rival has sparked a major controversy after unveiling its plans to introduce paid character classes alongside its next expansion. Eleventh Hour Games had repeatedly promised that all gameplay content would remain free, so players are now accusing the studio of going back on its word.
A single poorly timed update or clumsy announcement can seriously damage a game’s public image, and while this situation is far from catastrophic, it has unquestionably put Eleventh Hour Games in a tough spot. The Texas-based developers behind Last Epoch have enjoyed sustained success as one of Diablo 4’s strongest challengers, but that momentum may be fading after the studio revealed that new character classes will only be available as paid content, prompting a wave of negative reactions on Steam.
According to the developers, their next major expansion, Orobyss, is scheduled for release in 2026 as a free update for current owners of the base game. The surprise came when the studio announced that, at the same time, they will introduce new “Paradox Classes” sold separately as premium content. They describe Orobyss as the game’s first full-scale expansion, arriving after seasons four and five.
Players who already own Last Epoch will receive the expansion at no additional cost, while newcomers will get the full base game and expansion together. The controversy centers on the Paradox Classes: they are described as “completely alternative playable classes” that use different systems from the rest of the roster, and unlocking them requires a separate payment. This stands in stark contrast to the studio’s long-standing promise that all future gameplay additions would be free, with microtransactions limited strictly to cosmetics.
Last Epoch fans wasted no time expressing their frustration. Many argue that locking classes behind a paywall pushes the game dangerously close to “pay-to-win” territory. On forums and Steam, players warn they may quit entirely if the Paradox Classes turn out to be overpowered or become essential for endgame progression. The backlash has been so intense that recent Steam reviews have dropped below 50 percent positive, with one user summarizing the sentiment: “Paid classes? Ugh! Rest in peace, Last Epoch.”
Despite the outrage, Eleventh Hour Games stands firm. They claim previous seasons were financially unsustainable and that the new model is necessary to support long-term development. While they insist that handcrafted core content will remain free, the player base remains unconvinced, waiting to see whether the decision will be softened or completely reversed.
Source: 3djuegos
