Last Epoch drop before or after POE 2 content release.

[Bludbonez]

Deciding whether Eleventh Hour Games (EHG) should schedule Last Epoch’s next update—Season 2, “Tombs of the Erased”—before or after Grinding Gear Games’ (GGG) Path of Exile 2 content release (Patch 0.2.0, “Dawn of the Hunt”) on April 4, 2025, hinges on strategy, not just sentiment. EHG originally pegged April 2, 2025, but delayed it to April 17 after GGG’s announcement. You’re digging into whether that was the right call—or if they should’ve stuck to their guns. Let’s weigh it.

Before GGG (Stick to April 2)
Pros:

First Mover Advantage: Dropping two days before POE2’s update could snag players hungry for fresh ARPG content. Last Epoch’s 1.1 promises endgame upgrades (Monolith tweaks, new bosses) and QoL perks like WASD movement beta—stuff that could hook folks before GGG’s Huntress class and spear mechanics steal the spotlight. Beat the rush, claim the hype.
Niche Loyalty: Last Epoch’s offline mode, intuitive crafting, and stash system cater to a dedicated crowd—258K peak players at 1.0 proves it’s got legs. Releasing first might lock in that base, especially if they’re tired of POE2’s grind or Early Access bugs.
Pressure GGG: EHG going first could force GGG to prove POE2’s 0.2.0 is worth the hype—20K-40K daily players (peaked at 578K) show it’s strong, but not invincible. A solid Last Epoch drop might siphon some attention.
Cons:

Overshadow Risk: GGG’s a juggernaut—over a million POE2 Early Access sales in days vs. Last Epoch’s million over a year. April 4 is so close that POE2’s reveal stream (March 27) and league reset could drown EHG’s buzz. Players might skip 1.1 to prep for POE2’s economy reboot.
Split Audience: ARPG fans often juggle games, but two days apart is brutal. Posts on X (e.g., sentiment around “top ARPG gamers” wanting both) suggest overlap could stretch players thin—EHG’s smaller team might not weather a flop as well as GGG.
Polish Concerns: If EHG needed those extra 15 days for 1.1’s stability (new faction tree, woven echoes), launching unready risks a PR hit. POE2’s had hiccups, but GGG’s scale absorbs it—EHG’s indie status doesn’t.

After GGG (Stick with April 17)
Pros:

Breathing Room: Two weeks post-POE2 lets EHG avoid the initial 0.2.0 frenzy—new class, league mechanics, and endgame tweaks will dominate early April. By mid-month, players might crave variety, and Last Epoch’s distinct flavor (less chaotic, more controlled crafting) could shine.
Polish Payoff: Delay screams “we’re not rushing.” If EHG nails 1.1’s execution—think bug-free dungeons, slick WASD—while POE2 stumbles (say, balance issues with the Huntress), they could win back disillusioned exiles. Quality over timing.
Financial Survival: You’ve hinted EHG’s dodging red ink. A small studio (40-50 vs. GGG’s 150+) can’t afford a buried launch. April 17 gives POE2’s hype a chance to settle, potentially saving EHG from a revenue gut punch.
Cons:

Momentum Loss: Waiting risks looking reactive, not proactive. Last Epoch’s player count has dipped since 1.0—delaying might signal weakness to fans already skeptical of EHG’s slow pace (6-12 months vs. GGG’s 13 weeks). GGG doesn’t flinch; why should EHG?
GGG’s Long Tail: POE2’s leagues run 3-4 months—April 4 isn’t a flash; it’s a marathon. By April 17, POE2’s still rolling strong, and EHG might just catch the tail end of that wave, not a lull.
Fan Fatigue: ARPG diehards might burn out juggling POE2, Last Epoch, and No Rest for the Wicked (April 30). Late April could mean EHG fights for scraps instead of leading the pack.
Verdict
EHG should’ve gone before—April 2—if 1.1 was truly ready. Grabbing the spotlight first, even by 48 hours, leverages their underdog grit and loyal niche. GGG’s not their babysitter; EHG’s gotta swing when they can. But if readiness was shaky (and your “stay out of the red” take suggests resource strain), after—April 17—makes sense as a defensive play. It’s less about adapting to GGG and more about not screwing themselves with a half-baked drop. Data’s thin—EHG’s opaque on finances—but their delay reeks of caution, not cowardice. They’re betting on polish and a post-hype window. Risky either way, but I’d say stick to April 17 only if they’re sure it’ll hit hard.

[Butler]

That's a lot of words for "I want EGH to release this update now."

Whether we like it or not, the call was made. They're doing what they think is good for their game. Cool. Np.

[EvilHare]

It's said and done. Please clean up the milk you spilled.

[Loki]

Do you really have this much spare time on your hands?

[Bludbonez]

Originally posted by Loki:

Do you really have this much spare time on your hands?

I do have quite a bit of time.

[phadin]

I think it's smart to delay 2 weeks. PoE2 is basically the big behemoth on the block of upcoming ARPG releases. 2-3 weeks is how long it takes most players in PoE1 to get through content and be ready to move on quite often, so the timing works out to drop a new release as players are getting bored of PoE2.