Blue Protocol's Global Plans Scrapped, Japan Servers to Close

Bandai Namco's decision to shutter Blue Protocol's Japanese servers and subsequently cancel the global release planned with Amazon Games has sent shockwaves through the gaming community. This article details the announcement and its implications.

Blue Protocol's Demise: Japan Servers Closing, Global Launch Scrapped

Player Compensation and Final Updates

Bandai Namco has officially announced the closure of Blue Protocol's Japanese servers on January 18, 2025. This closure directly resulted in the cancellation of the global release, a joint venture with Amazon Games. Bandai cited an inability to maintain a service meeting player expectations as the primary reason for the shutdown.

In a formal statement, Bandai expressed regret over the cancellation, stating their inability to provide a satisfactory ongoing service. They also acknowledged their disappointment in halting global development with Amazon Games.

Until the game's final day, Bandai commits to continued support through updates and new content. However, Rose Orbs (in-game currency) purchases and refunds will cease. As compensation, players will receive 5,000 Rose Orbs monthly (starting September 2024) and 250 Rose Orbs daily. Furthermore, the Season 9 pass (and subsequent seasons) will be free, and the final update, Chapter 7, is slated for December 18, 2024.

Launched in Japan in June 2023, Blue Protocol initially attracted significant attention, boasting over 200,000 concurrent players. However, early server issues and subsequent emergency maintenance marred the launch. Player numbers dwindled, and dissatisfaction grew.

Despite a promising start, Blue Protocol failed to retain its player base and fell short of Bandai Namco's financial projections. This underperformance, previously noted in their financial report (ending March 31, 2024), ultimately led to the decision to end service.