Project KV Cancelled After Negative Reactions Over Blue Archive Similarities

Project KV, a visual novel-type game developed by Dynamis One, a studio founded by former Blue Archive developers, has been canceled amid controversy over its similarities to the popular mobile gacha game, Blue Archive. The announcement, made on Twitter (X) on September 9th, followed a wave of negative reactions from fans and the gaming community.

Project KV Devs Apologize for the Commotion

Dynamis One expressed regret for the trouble caused by Project KV and acknowledged the concerns about its resemblance to Blue Archive. In their statement, the studio committed to avoiding further issues and announced the project's cancellation. They also extended an apology to fans who had supported Project KV, promising to remove all related materials online and work harder to meet fan expectations in the future.

Project KV was first introduced with a promotional video on August 18th, followed by a second teaser two weeks later, showcasing the game's characters and storyline. Despite the initial excitement, the project faced significant backlash, leading to its cancellation just a week after the second teaser's release. While some mourn the project's end, others online celebrated its demise.

Blue Archive vs. 'Red Archive'

Dynamis One, led by former Blue Archive developer Park Byeong-Lim, sparked interest upon its formation in April. However, the unveiling of Project KV ignited a firestorm of criticism due to its similarities to Blue Archive. Fans noted resemblances in the game's aesthetic, music, and core concept of a Japanese-style city with weapon-wielding female students.

A particular point of contention was the inclusion of a "Master" character similar to Blue Archive's "Sensei," and the use of halo-like adornments above characters' heads, reminiscent of Blue Archive's iconic halos. These halos, integral to Blue Archive's narrative and visual identity, led to accusations of plagiarism and the nickname "Red Archive" for Project KV.

Despite clarifications from Kim Yong-ha, Blue Archive's general producer, who emphasized that Project KV was not a sequel or spin-off but a new project by former Nexon employees, the negative response was overwhelming. The controversy surrounding the alleged plagiarism ultimately led to the project's cancellation.

While some expressed disappointment over the lost potential, many viewed the cancellation as a justified consequence of the controversy. Whether Dynamis One will take this as a lesson and pursue a more distinct vision for future projects remains to be seen.