Blue Protocol Global Launch Canceled Amid Japan Server Shutdown

Bandai Namco has made the tough decision to shut down the servers of Blue Protocol in Japan on January 18, 2025. This announcement also marks the cancellation of the game's planned global release, which was set to be facilitated by Amazon Games. The decision stems from Bandai's assessment that they can no longer provide a service that meets the expectations of their fans.

In an official statement, Bandai expressed their regret over the cancellation: "We have decided that it is beyond our capabilities to continue providing a service that satisfies everyone." They also voiced their disappointment in not being able to proceed with the global release in collaboration with Amazon Games.

Final Updates and Compensation for Players

As Blue Protocol nears its end, Bandai plans to keep the game updated with new content until its final day. However, players will no longer be able to purchase or request refunds for the in-game currency, Rose Orbs. To compensate, Bandai will distribute 5,000 Rose Orbs to players on the first day of each month from September 2024 until January 2025, along with 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 scheduled for release on December 18, 2024.

Blue Protocol initially launched in Japan in June 2023 and saw a strong start with over 200,000 concurrent players. However, the launch was marred by server issues, necessitating emergency maintenance on release day. Despite the initial interest, the game experienced a decline in player numbers and growing dissatisfaction among its community.

The game's performance fell short of Bandai Namco's financial expectations, as noted in their financial report for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024. This underperformance played a significant role in the decision to terminate the service.