Blue Protocol Is Shutting Down in January 2025, Western Release Cancelled

Bandai Namco’s ambitious MMORPG Blue Protocol is shutting down permanently in January 2025, ending a promising venture into the anime-inspired online gaming scene. After nearly eight years of development and a short-lived run in Japan, the game will go offline, leaving fans unable to play or download it after the closure.

Blue Protocol will be discontinued on Jan 18th, 2025 in Japan and will no longer release worldwide https://t.co/csoPfvuGLB pic.twitter.com/95zieHlG1L

— Wario64 (@Wario64) August 28, 2024

This unexpected shutdown has dashed hopes for an international release, initially planned in collaboration with Amazon Games. According to the website’s official statement, Bandai cited financial reasons as the primary cause, with the game failing to meet profit expectations, leading to the decision to discontinue service.

In their own words, Bandai stated: “We know there has been great anticipation for Blue Protocol since the game’s first announcement. We wanted to deliver an experience like stepping into the world of anime, and we have been challenging ourselves to create a world where every player can enjoy adventures as the anime’s main character. We have worked hard to prepare for the release; however, we have concluded that it’s impossible to provide a service that satisfies all of you and we sincerely apologise for the sudden announcement.”

Related: Top 10 Games Similar to Blue Protocol

Blue Protocol’s Missed Opportunity

The news is unwelcoming to many, especially considering Blue Protocol’s potential to make a mark in the global MMORPG market. For example, the game’s striking anime aesthetics has resonated with fans of the company’s Tales series. With various classes, each with unique playstyles and weapon types, and allowed players to create custom avatars to explore the open world of Regnas. It promised an immersive experience where players could co-op for quests, battle formidable bosses, and engage in vibrant, anime-style adventures.

However, despite its early promise, the game struggled to attract and retain a core audience in Japan. Reports of empty worlds and missing content during beta testing raised concerns, which Bandai Namco attempted to address, but ultimately, these efforts proved insufficient.

Amazon Games, which has experience with MMORPGs like New World and Lost Ark, was set to bring Blue Protocol to the West. Despite rocky starts, these titles eventually found their footing with massive updates and dedicated support. There was hope that Blue Protocol could follow a similar trajectory, but those plans are now gone forever.

Blue Protocol’s Financial Struggle Reality

Blue Protocol shutting down is a stark reminder of the challenges even well-received games can face in the highly competitive MMORPG market. For instance, while games like Genshin Impact, with 66 million active players and Zenless Zone Zero, with their 50 million first-month downloads, have dominated the genre, Blue Protocol could not replicate similar success. Moreover, Bandai Namco’s recent financial reports hinted at the game’s underperformance, leading to its quiet disappearance from future discussions.

On the other end, Amazon Games, which had invested resources into the game’s Western release, appears to have been blindsided by the decision. Like their work on Lost Ark, Amazon had been preparing Blue Protocol for a global audience, including translation efforts and adjustments to the game’s monetisation model. However, despite these efforts, the game’s release was delayed, and now it will never see the light of day outside Japan.

Despite the sudden announcement, Bandai mentioned their pleasant working relationship with Amazon as they stated: “We have enjoyed a strong relationship with Amazon Games throughout the development of Blue Protocol, and both of our teams are disappointed that we will not be able to deliver the game to players around the world.”

An Unfortunate End to A Promising MMORPG

The sudden announcement of Blue Protocol’s shutdown has left many fans, especially those who were eagerly awaiting its Western release, in a state of disappointment. For players who had invested time and hope into the game, the closure feels like a lost opportunity, not just for themselves but for the MMORPG community.

As Bandai Namco shifts its focus to other projects, including the upcoming Tales of Graces f Remastered and Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero, the end of Blue Protocol serves as a reminder of the volatile nature of the gaming industry. Even with a strong concept and initial excitement, success never comes guaranteed.

For now, all that remains is to bid farewell to Blue Protocol and wonder what could have been if the game had found its audience. The MMORPG genre is unforgiving, and Blue Protocol is the latest casualty in a long list of games that, despite their potential, never fully realised their vision.

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