Blue Protocol Global Release Canceled as Japan Servers Close Down

Bandai Namco's Blue Protocol: Global Release Cancelled, Japan Servers Shutting Down

Bandai Namco has announced the cancellation of Blue Protocol's global release and the closure of its Japanese servers in January 2025. This decision follows the game's underperformance and inability to meet player expectations.

Final Updates and Player Compensation

The Japanese servers will officially shut down on January 18, 2025. To compensate players, Bandai Namco will provide 5,000 Rose Orbs monthly (starting September 2024) and 250 Rose Orbs daily until the shutdown. Rose Orb purchases and refunds will cease. Players will also receive the Season 9 pass and subsequent Season Pass for free. The final content update, Chapter 7, is slated for December 18, 2024.

Bandai Namco cited its inability to deliver a satisfactory service as the reason for the closure, expressing regret over the cancellation of both the Japanese service and the global release planned in partnership with Amazon Games.

A Promising Start, A Troubled Trajectory

Blue Protocol's Japanese launch in June 2023 initially saw strong player interest, exceeding 200,000 concurrent players. However, the game quickly faced server issues, declining player numbers, and growing dissatisfaction. This underperformance, previously hinted at in Bandai Namco's financial report (ending March 31, 2024), ultimately led to the decision to end service. Despite the initial positive reception, Blue Protocol failed to maintain its player base and meet financial projections.