Blue Protocol Global Ambitions Crushed as Japan Servers Shut

Bandai Namco has announced the cancellation of the global release of Blue Protocol, along with the closure of its Japanese servers in January 2025. This decision follows declining player numbers and the company's inability to meet player expectations. Let's delve into the details.

Blue Protocol: Global Release Canceled and Japanese Servers Shutting Down

Player Compensation and Final Updates

Bandai Namco's official statement cites an inability to provide a satisfactory service as the reason for shutting down Blue Protocol's Japanese servers on January 18, 2025, effectively canceling the planned global launch with Amazon Games. The company expressed regret for this outcome and disappointment at the termination of the global partnership.

To compensate players, Bandai Namco will provide 5,000 Rose Orbs monthly (starting September 2024) and 250 Rose Orbs daily until the game's closure. Rose Orb purchases and refunds will be discontinued. Furthermore, the Season 9 pass and subsequent season passes will be free, and the final update (Chapter 7) is scheduled for December 18, 2024.

The game's initial Japanese launch in June 2023 saw a promising start with over 200,000 concurrent players. However, server issues and declining player numbers quickly followed, leading to growing dissatisfaction within the player community. The game's underperformance, as reported in Bandai Namco's financial report (ending March 31, 2024), ultimately led to this decision. Despite initial success, Blue Protocol failed to meet the company's financial projections and sustain its player base.