Neople shakes up ‘the first berserker’ team, dlc dreams dwindle
The hype surrounding Neople’s ‘The First Berserker: Khazan’ evaporated faster than a potion on a particularly sweaty dungeon run. Despite initial expectations, the Soulslike’s launch failed to ignite the community, and now, the development team is undergoing a significant restructuring – effectively putting a lid on ambitious plans for DLC and ports.
A strategic shift, not a shutdown
According to a statement released by Nexon, the parent company of Neople, the decision stems from the project’s nearing completion. “As the roadmap for the Khazan large-scale project enters its final phases, we have decided to redistribute personnel who will focus on completing outstanding tasks and those who will be reassigned to other projects requiring concentrated organizational and human resources,” the official release reads. This isn’t a clean break, though. Nexon is actively seeking to leverage the experience gained during Khazan’s development, strategically relocating the bulk of the 99-person team to the ‘R Team’ – a transitional unit focused on new initiatives under Nexon’s umbrella.
Sales fall short, strategic gains remain
Despite underwhelming sales figures, Nexon appears to view ‘The First Berserker: Khazan’ as a strategic success. Information obtained via Yonhap News Agency and relayed through ResetEra reveals that the title has, unexpectedly, revitalized interest in Nexon’s long-standing Dungeon & Fighter franchise, a cornerstone of the company’s Asian revenue. Nexon itself previously indicated plans for two future D&F projects – Project OVERKILL and Dungeon&Fighter: ARAD – slated for release in 2027. It's entirely plausible that the Khazan team will be directed towards one of these ventures, capitalizing on their accumulated expertise.
Future uncertain, patches likely
While Neople insists the team’s dissolution is not immediate, the prospects of substantial DLC expansions or platform ports for ‘The First Berserker: Khazan’ appear considerably dimmer. We’re likely to see continued minor patches – bug fixes, minor balance adjustments – but don’t expect a dramatic resurgence. Frankly, it’s a disappointing outcome for a team that invested so heavily in bringing a challenging and ambitious Soulslike to market. But, let’s be clear: Nexon isn’t viewing this as a failure. They’re recognizing the ripple effect – a dormant franchise suddenly brimming with renewed enthusiasm. It’s a curious, almost perverse, measure of success.