[Interview] Yoon Myung-jin, CEO of Neople, and Lee Jun-ho, Creative Director
At a joint interview at the Busan BEXCO during the opening of G-STAR 2024 on the 14th, Yoon Myung-jin, CEO of Neople, discussed ‘First Berserker: Kazan.’ He described it as a game that tells the story of ‘Kazan,’ the origin of the ‘Kazan Syndrome’ leading to the Ghost Knight in the original ‘Dungeon & Fighter,’ presented with hardcore action. He expressed pride in the game, stating that while there are many interesting and deep stories within the world of the original ‘Dungeon & Fighter,’ Kazan is one of the most fun and high-quality.
Nexon’s ‘First Berserker: Kazan,’ slated for release in the first half of next year, is a highly anticipated game. It is a PC and console single-package action game based on the multi-universe of Nexon’s representative IP, ‘Dungeon & Fighter.’ Developed by Neople, the game inherits its signature exhilarating action, maximizing control and impact. Despite using 3D cel-animation-style cartoon rendering graphics, it features bleak and intense visuals that match the protagonist Kazan’s story and the game’s characteristics.
CEO Yoon stated, “We don’t have numerical targets like sales figures, but we have focused on conveying Kazan’s desperate situation and dark atmosphere through art. Although very challenging, we have created a game that users can see as reasonable and take on challenges again,” adding that the company sees success in positive feedback on aspects like the action composition they wanted to achieve, the feeling of getting stronger during gameplay, and understanding the full story after completing the scenario.
Kazan has left impressions on global game fans through several international game exhibitions such as Gamescom and Tokyo Game Show. It has undergone various tests, including technical closed beta tests, increasing its gameplay appeal. Users’ evaluations are reportedly very positive overall, and Neople is incorporating feedback to enhance the game’s completeness.
Lee Jun-ho, the Creative Director, noted, “There have been many changes since the technical CBT. The level of completeness has improved significantly in terms of balance, level design, user learning, smooth progression, and gear farming, and the release version will be much improved.”
Due to Kazan’s pursuit of hardcore action, there are many evaluations that the game’s difficulty is too high. Neople is considering ways to make it more accessible to users, although nothing definite has been decided.
CEO Yoon mentioned, “We have previously stated that we do not plan to add an easy mode at all because we wanted to show the game experience we are aiming for and create empathy around how difficult Kazan’s situation is. However, given that many find it overly challenging, we are testing slightly relaxed modes internally. We’re contemplating whether to increase accessibility slightly so that more people can enjoy it. We found that even a slight allowance in aspects like stamina and offense-defense brings significant relief. It is a process under various considerations.”
CEO Yoon also shared his thoughts on the experience of developing a single-player package game. Although from a generation that enjoyed package games in childhood, he also liked online games and has been developing online games so far. He acknowledged feeling a lot of differences in making a package game but emphasized that it is a really worthwhile experience.
He added, “The most different part personally is being able to conclude a story. It’s challenging to create a full narrative arc online, but being able to complete a story in a package game is extremely appealing. However, there is also fear because once released, it can’t be changed. We have to pour everything we want to do all at once. Nevertheless, it’s a challenge worth taking on.”