Blue Protocol Global Release Canceled as Japan Servers Close Down

Bandai Namco has made the tough decision to shut down the servers for Blue Protocol in Japan on January 18, 2025. This announcement comes alongside the news that the eagerly anticipated global release of the game, which was to be facilitated by Amazon Games, has been completely canceled. The reason behind this closure, as stated by Bandai Namco, is their inability to deliver a service that meets the expectations of their fans in the long run.

In their official statement, Bandai Namco conveyed their regret: "We have decided that it is beyond our capabilities to continue providing a service that satisfies everyone." They also expressed disappointment over the inability to proceed with the global expansion alongside Amazon Games.

Final Updates and Compensation for Players

As the end date approaches, Bandai Namco has committed to keeping Blue Protocol alive with updates and new content until the very last day. However, players should be aware that purchases of the in-game currency, Rose Orbs, will no longer be possible, nor will refunds be issued. To ease the transition, Bandai Namco plans to distribute 5,000 Rose Orbs to players on the first day of each month from September 2024 through January 2025, alongside a daily allocation of 250 Rose Orbs. Additionally, starting with the recently released Season 9 pass, all subsequent season passes will be available for free. The final update, Chapter 7, is slated for release on December 18, 2024.

Blue Protocol initially launched in Japan in June 2023, attracting over 200,000 concurrent players right out of the gate. Despite this strong start, the launch was marred by server issues that necessitated emergency maintenance on release day. The game saw a rapid decline in player numbers and growing dissatisfaction among its community.

Despite its early promise, Blue Protocol struggled to retain its player base and did not meet Bandai Namco's financial expectations. The company had already hinted at the game's underperformance in its financial report for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024, which played a role in the ultimate decision to terminate the service.