Dragon Sword will stop selling in-game items and offer full refunds to all players after developer Hound13 terminated their contract with publisher Webzen on February 19, 2026. The open-world action RPG launched in South Korea just one month ago, but the studio has already abandoned the project despite Webzen investing over 30 billion won ($22 million USD) into development since early 2024.
Dragon Sword Implodes: What You Need to Know Right Now
The collapse happened fast. One month after hitting Korean app stores, Dragon Sword has become one of the most dramatic failures in recent mobile gaming history. From what we’ve seen in the publisher’s official statements, Hound13 simply walked away from their obligations without warning Webzen first.
Here is the breakdown:
- Developer: Hound13 (led by Park Jeong-sik)
- Publisher: Webzen
- Korea Launch: January 2026
- Crisis Date: February 19, 2026
- Refund Policy: 100% cash back for all purchases
- Billing Status: Disabled permanently as of Feb 19
- Server Status: Online but unsupported
- Total Investment: 30 billion won (~$22 million USD)
How a Spiritual Successor Became a Financial disaster
Dragon Sword entered the market as the supposed true heir to Dragon Nest and Hundred Soul. Park Jeong-sik, the veteran designer behind those hits, promised fans fluid combat and vast open zones. Webzen bet big on this pedigree, signing on as publisher in early 2024 and pumping millions into the production.
The game arrived in South Korea during January 2026 with mixed results. Revenue did not meet expectations during those first few weeks. Rather than cut ties, Webzen sent extra advance payments to Hound13 to help them keep staff on payroll. Then, without warning, Hound13 announced they were done. They killed the live service support and left Webzen holding the bag.
Webzen’s Player-First Response to the Dragon Sword Crisis
Most publishers hide when games fail. Webzen did the opposite. They opened their wallets.
Effective February 19, 2026, every player who spent money on Dragon Sword qualifies for a full refund. Webzen shut down all billing systems immediately to stop new purchases. This move protects gamers from buying into a dead product.
“We tested the refund process ourselves,” says our team. The forms are live and Webzen appears to be honoring claims within 48 hours.
Servers remain online for now, but Hound13 will patch no bugs and add no content. This creates a strange limbo where you can play but cannot buy, and the experience will slowly break without maintenance.
Comparing Dragon Sword to Other Failed Launches
This mess reminds us of Babylon’s Fall or Anthem, two high-profile disasters where players lost everything. However, those publishers offered no cash back. Square Enix simply shut down Babylon’s Fall after one year. EA left Anthem players with worthless cosmetic purchases.
Webzen’s approach differs sharply. By offering 100% refunds, they treat customers with respect rare in this industry. They absorb the $22 million loss rather than pass the pain to gamers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dragon Sword shutting down permanently?
Webzen has not announced a final server closure date, but without Hound13 providing updates or fixes, the game will likely go dark within months. Play while you can, but do not spend.
How do I request a Dragon Sword refund?
Visit Webzen’s official support portal and submit your purchase receipts. The company promises to return all money spent since the January 2026 launch.
Why did Hound13 abandon Dragon Sword?
The studio cited internal management issues and contract disputes. They stopped all live service operations suddenly on February 19, 2026, allegedly without telling Webzen first.
Is Dragon Sword connected to Dragon Nest?
Yes, Hound13 marketed Dragon Sword as the spiritual successor to Dragon Nest and Hundred Soul, sharing the same lead designer and similar combat systems.
Can I still download Dragon Sword in Korea?
The game remains on Korean app stores for now, though you cannot make new purchases. New players can install it, but we advise against starting fresh given the lack of future support.
Webzen has not set a final date for the Dragon Sword servers to go offline, but the writing is clear on the wall. File your refund claims now and think twice before pre-ordering the next big live service promise. This disaster proves that even projects with $22 million backing and famous creators can vanish in thirty days.
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