Blue Protocol Global Release 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, and as a result, the much-anticipated global release of the game in collaboration with Amazon Games has been canceled. This decision comes after Bandai Namco admitted that they could no longer provide a service that meets the expectations of their fans. In their official statement, the company expressed deep regret, saying, "We have decided that it is beyond our capabilities to continue providing a service that satisfies everyone," and highlighted their disappointment in halting the global development with Amazon Games.

As Blue Protocol nears its end, Bandai Namco plans to keep the game alive with ongoing updates and 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 gift of 250 Rose Orbs. Moreover, starting with the recently released Season 9 pass, all subsequent season passes will be available for free. The final update, Chapter 7, is set to be released on December 18, 2024.

Blue Protocol initially launched in Japan in June 2023 and saw a strong start with over 200,000 concurrent players on release day. However, the launch was marred by server issues, leading to emergency maintenance and a subsequent decline in player numbers. The dissatisfaction among players grew, and the game struggled to retain its audience, ultimately falling short of Bandai Namco’s financial expectations. The company had previously indicated the game's underperformance in their financial report for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024, which played a significant role in the decision to end the game's services.