Blue Protocol Global Launch Halted, Japan Servers Shut Down

Bandai Namco has made the tough decision to shut down the servers for Blue Protocol in Japan on January 18, 2025, marking the end of an era for the game. This decision also ripples out to impact the global community, as the much-anticipated worldwide release of Blue Protocol in partnership with Amazon Games has been officially canceled. Bandai Namco cited their inability to meet the expectations of fans as the reason behind these moves, expressing their regret in an official statement: "We have decided that it is beyond our capabilities to continue providing a service that satisfies everyone."

The disappointment extends to the halted development for the global release, a project that many fans were eagerly awaiting. Despite this setback, Bandai Namco plans to keep the game alive in Japan until its final day, with ongoing updates and new content. However, players will no longer be able to purchase or request refunds for the in-game currency, Rose Orbs. To soften the blow, Bandai will distribute 5,000 Rose Orbs to players at the start of each month from September 2024 until January 2025, alongside a daily allocation of 250 Rose Orbs. Additionally, the Season 9 pass, recently released, will be available for free, and the last major update, Chapter 7, is set to launch on December 18, 2024.

When Blue Protocol launched in Japan in June 2023, it captured the attention of gamers, achieving over 200,000 concurrent players right out of the gate. Unfortunately, the launch was not without its challenges; server issues led to emergency maintenance and affected the overall player experience. Over time, the game saw a decline in player numbers and rising dissatisfaction within the community.

Despite its initial success, Blue Protocol struggled to retain its player base and did not meet Bandai Namco's financial targets. This underperformance was highlighted in the company's financial report for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024, and played a significant role in the decision to terminate the game's services.

As the closure date approaches, the focus shifts to making the most of the remaining time with Blue Protocol. The game's community will have the chance to enjoy the final updates and the generous compensation from Bandai Namco, marking a bittersweet end to what could have been a global phenomenon.