Inside Last Epoch’s Future: Monetization Changes and the Updated Roadmap

The world of Last Epoch is gearing up for its most ambitious era yet. With the announcement of the Orbus expansion, new playable class types, and a multiseason roadmap, Eleventh Hour Games has finally shed light on the direction the ARPG will take as it moves toward its next major milestone. The reveal answers long-standing community questions, introduces a controversial but intriguing monetization shift, and outlines what players can expect leading into 2026.

Free Expansion for Existing Players

One of the biggest questions surrounding the Orbus expansion has been simple: Will existing owners need to pay for it?

The studio has now confirmed that anyone who owns Last Epoch on PC before the expansion launches will receive Orbus completely free. For veteran players and early supporters, this is a reassuring gesture—especially as the game begins expanding into more formal, long-term live-service territory.

However, new players entering after the expansion’s release, as well as PS5 players who will join the ecosystem with Last Epoch’s console debut, will need to purchase the updated version. This aligns with standard industry practices for major DLC-level content, especially when bridging PC and console ecosystems under one unified release.

A New Class Category: Paradox Classes

Alongside Orbus, the developers unveiled perhaps the most surprising addition: a brand-new category of playable class, known as Paradox classes. These classes operate on entirely different systems from existing ones, offering mechanics, skill interactions, and progression concepts that deviate from anything currently in the game.

The first Paradox class will launch as paid DLC, making it the first piece of gameplay-related paid content in Last Epoch’s history.

This marks a significant shift. Since early development, Eleventh Hour Games had often expressed reluctance toward paid DLC models that divide the player base. Yet the team emphasizes that Paradox classes are an experimental space for innovation—something difficult to support solely through free updates.

While some community members initially reacted with concern, others argued that optional paid classes are less intrusive than mandatory expansion packs. Those who aren’t interested in the new class won’t miss out on core game content, story progression, or seasonal access. Having a lot of Last Epoch gold will be a great help to you.

Commitment to Years of Ongoing Support

Despite introducing paid class DLC, the studio reaffirmed its dedication to Last Epoch’s long-term future. Eleventh Hour Games stated that they are committed to supporting the game with years of new story chapters, itemization improvements, onboarding enhancements, new systems, expanded seasonal mechanics, and quality-of-life upgrades.

In addition, the studio is actively hiring across multiple development fields. This includes general design, engineering, art, and live-service support roles—an indicator that Last Epoch is scaling up to handle consistent seasonal content releases.

Roadmap: Seasons 4 and 5 Leading Into the Expansion

Before the Orbus expansion lands, players can look forward to two more major seasons.

Season 4 (Early 2026)

Season 4 is slated for early 2026—likely January, based on typical industry timelines and the team’s comments. The season will introduce a new seasonal mechanic, several long-requested updates, and the beginning of the buildup toward the Orbus release. The developers have stated that teasers, previews, and a firm release date will be shared soon through official streams and social channels.

Season 5 and Beyond

Season 5 will serve as another significant content update leading directly into the expansion. The team made it clear that while they want to shorten the time between seasons, quality comes first. They are upgrading internal tools, onboarding new staff, and preparing the game for its PS5 launch—all while shaping the seasonal pipeline.

The studio emphasized that speeding up development will not come at the cost of quality. Seasonal content must be “strong enough to be worthy of inviting players back,” even if that means longer development cycles in the short term.

Clarifying the "AI-First" Concerns

Recent comments from studio leadership about becoming more “AI-first” sparked debate within the community, with some players worrying that AI might compromise Last Epoch’s handcrafted design.

Eleventh Hour Games clarified that their core development philosophy is not changing. Their focus remains on crafting Last Epoch using the same hands-on, design-driven approach that has defined the game since its inception. AI may assist with workflow improvements, but not replace human-guided creativity in gameplay design.

Community Reactions to Paid DLC

A significant portion of the community discussion centers on the decision to introduce a paid class. While Eleventh Hour Games had previously suggested no paid DLC, the landscape of modern ARPGs is shifting. Optional paid classes may actually be less disruptive than expansion-locked maps or systems.

For many players, the logic is simple:

If you want the new class, buy it.

If you don’t, your core experience remains unchanged.

The only concern is potential imbalance—if the paid class is significantly stronger, it risks being perceived as pay-to-win. The studio will need to demonstrate consistent balancing to maintain player trust.

A New Era for Last Epoch

As Last Epoch heads into its Orbus expansion, the game is entering a new evolutionary phase—one that blends free expansion updates, optional paid content, and a more structured seasonal roadmap. With new class systems, PS5 support, ongoing hiring, and multiple seasons already planned, the future of Last Epoch looks ambitious and transformative. Having enough cheap Last Epoch gold will be a great help to you.