Bandai Namco has announced the closure of Blue Protocol's Japanese servers and the cancellation of its global release, planned in partnership with Amazon Games. This decision, impacting the game's future, warrants further explanation.
Blue Protocol: Global Release Cancelled and Japanese Servers Shutting Down
Player Compensation and Final Updates
Bandai Namco's announcement confirms the termination of Blue Protocol's Japanese service on January 18, 2025. Consequently, the global launch, a collaboration with Amazon Games, is also cancelled. The company cited an inability to meet player expectations as the reason for this closure.
In an official statement, Bandai Namco expressed regret over the cancellation, stating their inability to provide a satisfactory service. They also acknowledged the disappointment of halting global development with Amazon Games.
Until its closure, Bandai Namco plans to continue supporting Blue Protocol with updates and new content. However, Rose Orb purchases and refunds will cease. To compensate players, 5,000 Rose Orbs will be distributed monthly (September 2024 - January 2025), along with 250 daily. Furthermore, the Season 9 pass (and subsequent season passes) will be free, and Chapter 7, the final update, is slated for December 18, 2024.
Launched in Japan in June 2023, Blue Protocol initially attracted significant attention, exceeding 200,000 concurrent players. However, initial server issues and subsequent maintenance hampered its success. Player numbers declined, and dissatisfaction grew.
Despite a promising start, Blue Protocol failed to retain its player base and meet financial targets. Bandai Namco's March 31, 2024 financial report highlighted the game's underperformance, directly influencing the decision to end service.