Project EL closed Project EL is a large open-world game that was supposed to resemble Grand Theft Auto, but in a fantasy setting. Development lasted about two years and was considered one of the company's key initiatives.
The decision is not accidental. After the appointment of Patrick Söderlund, Nexon began a large-scale review of all projects and chose a strategy of "selection and concentration."
In fact this means reducing the number of developments and focusing only on the most promising ones. Söderlund himself stated that the company's portfolio is too bloated and needs streamlining.
Project EL became one of the first victims of the new policy. The game was conceived as an action sandbox with an open world and freedom of action in the spirit of GTA, but in a fantasy universe.
The restructuring affects not only new projects, but also existing games. Nexon plans to gradually close less profitable titles and redirect resources to key franchises, including Dungeon & Fighter and MapleStory.
It seems the company is entering a new era, where the focus is on fewer projects, but with greater potential for success, and risky ambitious games are increasingly left out.