Dragon Sword: Awakening: From Launch Hurdles to 400,000 Sales
The journey of Dragon Sword: Awakening from an ambitious concept to a commercially successful Steam title has been anything but smooth. Following a series of delays and technical hurdles, the game has surpassed 400,000 copies sold, transforming from a high-stakes gamble into a cornerstone for Hound13. In an interview with CEO Park Jung-sik and PM Kim Dong-hoon, we discuss the studio's transition to the buy-to-play model and their roadmap for the future.
Adapting to Steam: Lessons from the 'Punch'
The Steam launch of Dragon Sword: Awakening was a trial by fire for the team. Kim Dong-hoon admits that the studio faced unprecedented delays during the publishing process, forcing them into a frantic development sprint. This experience served as a wake-up call; the team realized that Steam's workflows differed significantly from their previous experiences, leading to the implementation of much more rigorous scheduling protocols to prevent future bottlenecks.
Post-launch efforts have focused heavily on refining the core experience. The team has been working on UI/UX improvements, implementing a Just Dodge system to balance melee combat, and fixing localization issues caused by early reliance on AI translations. Interestingly, the game's global reach was bolstered by the community itself; players from China and Brazil proactively assisted with proofreading and lore translation, significantly elevating the quality of the Chinese and Portuguese versions.
Content Roadmap: From Liza to New Faces
The developers are moving quickly to maintain momentum. The Version 1.1 update, arriving October 15, introduces Liza, an Electric-attribute hero known for her aggressive, spear-based combat style. According to Kim Dong-hoon, Liza is designed to be a high-impact character, similar to the "must-pull" characters often seen in live-service game updates.
The studio's roadmap includes several key expansions:
- December Update: The introduction of new characters (Jerome, Veronica, Logan) and seasonal costumes, including a bunny girl theme.
- Endgame Content: The addition of Extermination difficulty and a ranking system to provide long-term challenges for skilled players.
- Console Release: Preparations for a console launch, which will include the addition of Japanese voiceovers.
The Future of Hound13: A Paradigm Shift
For Hound13, the success of Dragon Sword: Awakening marks a strategic pivot. The studio is shifting its focus from mobile-centric development toward creating full single-player buy-to-play experiences for PC and consoles. This transition involves refining mechanics to better suit the buy-to-play genre and preparing for a broader global presence. As Park Jung-sik noted, the ultimate goal is to establish the studio as a provider of high-quality console games, building upon the foundation laid by their successful Steam launch.
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