Eldegarde launches January 21, 2026 as the full 1.0 release of what was previously known as Legacy: Steel & Sorcery, a fantasy extraction RPG that entered Early Access on February 12, 2025. Developed by Notorious Studios, a team of former Blizzard World of Warcraft designers led by Chris Kaleiki (who spent 13 years at Blizzard designing the Monk class and PvP talent system), the game initially showed promise with a peak of 3,698 concurrent players. But by December 2025, that number had collapsed to just 40 active players, forcing the team to make drastic changes.
The rebrand to Eldegarde represents more than just a new name. The full release introduces a dedicated PvE mode that removes player-versus-player encounters entirely, targeting a broader audience intimidated by the hardcore PvPvE extraction gameplay. The studio is essentially relaunching the game with a fresh start, community progression reset, and expanded features including new classes like Paladin, additional maps, social hub improvements, and PvE dungeons. It’s a high-stakes gamble – either the changes attract enough players to sustain the multiplayer systems, or Eldegarde joins the graveyard of failed extraction games.
What Is Eldegarde Exactly
Eldegarde is a third-person fantasy extraction RPG that drops players into hostile environments filled with monsters, rival adventurers, and valuable loot scattered across lush fields, dense forests, and underground crypts. You choose from classic fantasy archetypes – Warrior, Rogue, Wizard, or Paladin – each with distinctive combat styles ranging from melee weapon mastery to devastating spells. The extraction mechanic means survival and escape matter as much as combat prowess. Die during a run and you lose all equipped gear and collected loot. Extract successfully and you can sell treasures for gold to fund better equipment for future runs.
The game blends MMO world PvP passion with extraction shooter tension popularized by Escape from Tarkov and given a fantasy twist by Dark and Darker. You venture into dangerous zones solo or with up to two teammates, competing against both AI monsters and other real players for limited extraction points. The combat emphasizes active skill expression through dodging, blocking, sprinting, and precise spell-casting rather than stat-stick grinding. Environmental interactions like wall-breaking and levitation spells add tactical depth beyond simple damage output.
Loot-based progression drives the gameplay loop. Finding rare weapons and armor during runs lets you tackle more dangerous zones, but the permadeath stakes mean every decision carries weight. Do you push deeper for better rewards or extract with what you have before encountering better-equipped players? The risk-reward calculation defines extraction games, and Eldegarde implements it within a pulp fantasy setting inspired by classic D&D adventures rather than modern military shooters.
The Early Access Struggle
Legacy: Steel & Sorcery launched into Early Access on February 12, 2025 with respectable numbers – a peak of 3,698 concurrent players showed genuine interest in the fantasy extraction concept. Player reviews averaged around 70% positive with nearly 3,900 total ratings, suggesting the core gameplay resonated with its audience. But by December 2025, concurrent players had plummeted to just 40, a catastrophic 99% drop that threatened the entire project’s viability.
This collapse isn’t unusual for extraction games. The genre demands healthy player populations to function – you need opponents to create tension, teammates for coordination, and enough concurrent users to populate servers without excessive wait times. As player counts drop, matchmaking slows, making the game feel dead even if a few hundred dedicated fans remain. The death spiral accelerates as frustrated players leave for more populated alternatives, further reducing the player pool.
PC Gamer covered Legacy before Early Access launch, highlighting the technical challenge Notorious Studios faced teaching itself netcode fundamentals. The team of Blizzard veterans brought deep RPG design experience but needed to build network infrastructure supporting extraction gameplay where every interaction matters. Combat hit registration, loot synchronization, and server performance require specialized expertise that traditional RPG developers rarely develop. The learning curve contributed to Early Access struggles as the team fixed technical issues while trying to maintain player engagement.
Why PvPvE Extraction Is So Hard
The extraction shooter genre sits in a difficult market position. Hardcore players love the adrenaline rush of high-stakes PvP where losing means actually losing valuable gear. But this same permadeath tension repels casual players who just want to explore dungeons with friends without constantly watching for backstabs. Dark and Darker succeeded initially but faced legal troubles and community splits. Escape from Tarkov remains the genre king but intimidates newcomers with its brutal learning curve and time investment demands.
Fantasy extraction specifically competes in an even smaller niche. Military-themed extraction shooters benefit from familiarity – players understand guns, tactical movement, and modern combat from decades of FPS games. Fantasy extraction requires learning entirely new combat systems built around swords, shields, spells, and class abilities while also mastering extraction genre conventions. The doubled learning curve filters out potential players before they experience the gameplay depth.
Notorious Studios’ community feedback during Early Access revealed strong interest in cooperative PvE experiences without constant PvP pressure. Many players loved the combat mechanics, environmental design, and loot progression but hated losing hours of progress to a better-equipped player who caught them looting a chest. This feedback directly influenced the decision to rebrand and add dedicated PvE mode for the 1.0 launch.
The Blizzard Connection
Chris Kaleiki founded Notorious Studios after leaving Blizzard in 2020, publicly stating he was unhappy with World of Warcraft’s direction. He spent 13 years at Blizzard as a systems and class designer, creating WoW’s Monk class and the PvP talent system while working on memorable spells and class design across multiple expansions. His departure coincided with broader cultural issues at Blizzard that would later explode into public scandals about workplace harassment and toxic company culture.
Notorious Studios’ founding team consists entirely of Blizzard veterans, all but one having worked on World of Warcraft. Kaleiki emphasized building a studio with strong cultural values and a flatter organizational structure to avoid the problems that plagued Blizzard. In a 2021 PC Gamer interview, he stated the team has “no tolerance for harassment and things like that” and aimed for transparent, open communication rather than top-down corporate hierarchy.
The studio secured $5 million in funding from Riot Games, Galaxy Interactive, and 1Up Ventures. Riot’s investment is particularly notable – the League of Legends and Valorant developer backing a studio founded by ex-Blizzard employees who left specifically due to concerns about company direction. Kaleiki praised Riot’s commitment to player experience and noted many mutual friends and former colleagues work at both companies, creating cultural alignment around player-first development.
What Changes With Version 1.0
The January 21, 2026 launch isn’t just leaving Early Access – it’s a complete reintroduction of the game under a new identity. The rebrand from Legacy: Steel & Sorcery to Eldegarde reflects the expanded scope beyond hardcore PvPvE extraction. The new name represents the broader world including PvE content, PvP arenas, social hubs, and dungeon challenges rather than just extraction gameplay.
The headline feature is dedicated PvE mode. This option completely removes player-versus-player encounters, letting you explore dungeons, fight monsters, collect loot, and extract without worrying about hostile players. The mode targets casual players who want to learn combat mechanics and map layouts at their own pace, or those who simply prefer cooperative PvE over competitive PvP. Dark and Darker added similar Adventure Mode in April 2025, acknowledging that significant audiences exist for extraction gameplay minus the PvP stress.
New content includes the Paladin class joining the existing Warrior, Rogue, and Wizard roster. Additional maps expand beyond the original zones, with new modules in Ruins, Crypts, and Inferno biomes. The social hub received upgrades for connecting with other players outside combat. Vendor progression, crafting systems, and lodging upgrades provide long-term goals beyond individual extraction runs. The community progression reset wipes existing accounts, giving everyone a fresh start alongside returning and new players.
Can a Rebrand Save a Dead Game
History shows mixed results for struggling multiplayer games attempting reinvention. Some succeeded – Final Fantasy XIV famously relaunched after disastrous 1.0 and became one of the most successful MMOs ever. Rainbow Six Siege launched to mediocre reception but grew into a massive esports title through years of updates. No Man’s Sky redeemed itself after catastrophic launch through relentless free content updates. These success stories prove games can recover from near-death experiences.
But for every success, dozens of failures populate multiplayer game graveyards. Crucible by Amazon Games shut down after four months despite massive publisher backing. LawBreakers by Boss Key Productions closed in less than a year despite featuring Gears of War creator Cliff Bleszinski. Battleborn by Gearbox couldn’t compete with Overwatch and died within months. The difference between redemption and death often comes down to whether the core game deserves saving and if developers correctly identify why players left.
Eldegarde’s chances depend on several factors. Did player feedback genuinely reveal demand for PvE mode, or are they chasing an audience that doesn’t exist? Can they attract enough players on January 21 to sustain multiplayer systems? Does the rebrand generate enough marketing buzz to reach beyond the existing community? These questions determine whether Notorious Studios’ gamble pays off or if Eldegarde joins the failure pile by mid-2026.
The Competition Problem
Eldegarde doesn’t launch into a vacuum. Dark and Darker dominates fantasy extraction with an established player base, regular content updates, and brand recognition. Escape from Tarkov remains the extraction genre king for hardcore players. Hunt: Showdown offers PvPvE extraction with supernatural western horror themes. Cycle: Frontier tried competing in sci-fi extraction space and shut down after one year. The genre is brutally competitive with little room for also-rans.
The PvE mode addition might differentiate Eldegarde if marketed correctly. Players who bounced off Dark and Darker’s hardcore PvP might appreciate the option to experience extraction gameplay cooperatively. The Blizzard pedigree matters – Chris Kaleiki’s reputation as WoW’s Monk class designer carries weight in RPG communities. The $5 million funding from Riot and venture capital demonstrates professional backing rather than amateur indie development.
But none of that matters if players don’t show up on launch day. The Steam page still exists from the Legacy: Steel & Sorcery days with mixed reviews and low player counts visible. Will potential players see past the troubled Early Access to give Eldegarde a fair shot? Or will they assume this is another failed extraction game desperately rebranding before final shutdown? The marketing and community outreach leading into January 21 will determine first impressions.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Eldegarde release?
Version 1.0 launches January 21, 2026 on Steam. The game is currently available in Early Access under both the Eldegarde and Legacy: Steel & Sorcery names, with existing owners getting the 1.0 update free.
What happened to Legacy: Steel & Sorcery?
It’s being rebranded to Eldegarde for the full 1.0 release. The name change reflects expanded content including PvE modes beyond hardcore PvPvE extraction gameplay. The game itself is the same project, just renamed.
Do I need to buy Eldegarde if I own Legacy?
No, existing Legacy: Steel & Sorcery Early Access owners receive the full Eldegarde 1.0 update at no additional cost. Your purchase carries over automatically.
Is Eldegarde similar to Dark and Darker?
Yes, both are fantasy extraction RPGs with PvPvE gameplay, class-based combat, and high-stakes loot systems. Eldegarde adds dedicated PvE mode for players who want extraction gameplay without PvP pressure.
Who developed Eldegarde?
Notorious Studios, founded by Chris Kaleiki and other Blizzard veterans. Kaleiki spent 13 years at Blizzard designing WoW’s Monk class and PvP talent system. The studio is backed by Riot Games, Galaxy Interactive, and 1Up Ventures.
What classes are available?
Warrior, Rogue, Wizard, and Paladin. Each class has distinctive combat styles with active dodge, block, sprint, and class-specific abilities rather than passive stat-based gameplay.
Can I play solo or do I need a team?
Both. You can run solo or team up with up to two other players for three-person squads. The new PvE mode removes hostile players entirely for cooperative experiences.
Why did the player count drop so much?
The game peaked at 3,698 players in February 2025 but dropped to 40 by December. Extraction games require healthy populations to function, and the hardcore PvPvE focus limited the audience. The rebrand and PvE mode aim to broaden appeal.
The Make or Break Moment
January 21, 2026 represents Eldegarde’s last chance at success. Notorious Studios spent nearly a year in Early Access refining systems, listening to feedback, and building content for the full release. The rebrand, PvE mode addition, and progression reset create ideal conditions for relaunch – but only if players actually show up. The studio demonstrated admirable transparency about struggles rather than quietly shutting down, choosing to fight for their project instead of abandoning it.
The Blizzard veteran pedigree matters here. These developers have decades of combined experience building World of Warcraft, one of gaming’s most successful MMORPGs. They understand class design, combat feel, progression systems, and multiplayer engagement at the highest level. The question is whether that expertise translates to the extraction genre’s unique demands, and if the PvE mode successfully broadens appeal without alienating the hardcore PvP audience that initially supported the game.
Extraction games live or die on community health. Eldegarde needs hundreds of concurrent players minimum to sustain matchmaking, create emergent PvP encounters, and maintain the tension that defines the genre. The January 21 launch will reveal whether eleven months of development, community feedback, and strategic pivots successfully saved a dying game or merely delayed the inevitable. For former Blizzard developers betting their reputations on this passion project, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Wishlist Eldegarde on Steam now if fantasy extraction with PvE options interests you. The 1.0 launch represents a fresh start with progression resets giving everyone equal footing. Support indie studios founded by industry veterans pursuing ambitious multiplayer projects rather than safe single-player games. And watch January 21 closely – you’ll witness either one of indie gaming’s great comeback stories or another cautionary tale about the brutal reality of launching multiplayer games in 2026.