Webzen, Dragon Sword anlaşmazlığında ihbarcıyla yapılacak görüşme öncesinde Hound13'e 2,2 milyon dolar transfer etti.

A corporate dispute between Hound13, the developer of Dragon Sword, and publisher Webzen has taken a dramatic turn. After weeks of unpaid leave notices, a collapsing live service, and growing uncertainty around the project, reports indicate that Webzen transferred previously withheld funds to Hound13 just before a whistleblower interview was scheduled to take place.

A Contract Dispute That Derailed Dragon Sword

Dragon Sword, originally revealed as Project D in 2021, was positioned as an ambitious open-world action RPG. However, tensions reportedly escalated between the developer and publisher during the project’s later stages.

According to Hound13, Webzen attempted a hostile takeover by demanding a majority stake in the studio as part of proposed additional support. Webzen has denied these claims, stating that Hound13 repeatedly delayed the development schedule and that the extended production timeline depleted the studio’s funds. The publisher also claimed it offered further support, but alleged that Hound13 terminated the contract without prior agreement.

As both sides publicly defended their positions, the game’s future deteriorated. Webzen later announced a full 100% refund for all in-game transactions, effectively signaling that live service operations would no longer continue under the existing arrangement.

Players Caught in the Middle

Shortly after launch, Dragon Sword entered maintenance mode—often referred to by Korean players as a “zombie state”—just one month after release. Although the development team expressed interest in continuing support, the game’s situation became increasingly unstable.

In an apparent effort to retain players, large amounts of gacha currency were distributed daily. While generous on the surface, such measures often signal deeper structural issues within live-service games. The overall perception among players suggested that the title’s long-term viability had significantly diminished.

Withheld Funds Transferred Before Whistleblower Interview

According to reports from The REGGistry, Hound13’s CEO had reached out to GSBG, a prominent South Korean gaming whistleblower YouTube channel associated with the Korean Game User Association. An interview addressing the dispute was reportedly scheduled, raising the possibility of reputational damage or regulatory scrutiny.

Before the interview could take place, Webzen allegedly transferred approximately $2.2 million (3 billion KRW) in previously withheld funds to Hound13.

The sudden payment has been interpreted as a temporary de-escalation in the dispute. Hound13 regained access to the funds, and the whistleblower interview has not aired—at least for now. However, the broader damage to Dragon Sword appears already done, with players bearing the consequences of the corporate conflict.

Whether the transfer marks a true resolution or merely a pause in the dispute remains unclear. Further developments may shed light on the long-term outcome for both companies and the future of the project.

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