Nexon has reassigned most of the Neople development team behind The First Berserker: Khazan, effectively dissolving the squad one year after launch. The soulslike action RPG, released on March 28, 2025, failed to meet internal sales targets despite hitting a Steam peak of 32,929 concurrent players and earning Very Positive reviews (85% approval on Steam). Neople, Nexon's subsidiary, confirmed the roughly 100-strong team has been redistributed to other projects, placing the game into maintenance mode.

This move follows closely on the heels of positive comments from Nexon leadership. Just days prior, executives touted the title's role in elevating interest in the Dungeon & Fighter universe, framing it as a strategic win even amid commercial shortfalls. Korean reports from Inven note reassignment as part of broader cost optimizations, with no layoffs announced—but the optics of shuttering a well-regarded project sting nonetheless.

Player reactions on X and Reddit reflect quiet dismay. Posts lament the swift pivot, with one viral thread noting the peak player count belied long-term retention woes. Nexon's spreadsheets prevailed over community goodwill, underscoring the cold calculus of AAA publishing: reviews build buzz, but revenue dictates survival.

For Nexon, this echoes patterns seen in other underperformers, prioritizing IP health over sequel ambitions. Khazan players can expect patches, but don't hold your breath for expansions.