Bandai Namco's decision to shutter Blue Protocol's Japanese servers in January 2025 has resulted in the cancellation of the anticipated global launch by Amazon Games. This article delves into the announcement and its implications for the game.
Blue Protocol's Demise and Global Cancellation
Player Compensation and Final Updates
Bandai Namco's official announcement confirms the closure of Blue Protocol's Japanese servers on January 18, 2025, simultaneously canceling the global release planned in partnership with Amazon Games. The company cited an inability to deliver a consistently satisfying player experience as the primary reason for the shutdown. Bandai Namco expressed regret over the cancellation, stating that maintaining a service meeting player expectations proved insurmountable.
To compensate players, Bandai Namco will provide 5,000 Rose Orbs on the first of each month from September 2024 to January 2025, plus 250 Rose Orbs daily. Rose Orb purchases and refunds will cease. Furthermore, the Season 9 pass will be free, and the final update (Chapter 7) is slated for December 18, 2024.
Despite a promising launch in June 2023, boasting over 200,000 concurrent players initially, Blue Protocol experienced significant server issues on launch day, requiring emergency maintenance. Subsequently, player numbers dwindled, and dissatisfaction grew. The game's underperformance, reported in Bandai Namco's March 31, 2024 financial report, ultimately led to the decision to end service. The game failed to meet the company's financial projections despite its initial success.
