Bandai Namco's decision to shutter Blue Protocol's Japanese servers and consequently cancel the global release planned by Amazon Games has sent shockwaves through the gaming community. This article delves into the announcement and its implications.

Blue Protocol's Demise and Global Cancellation

Bandai Namco officially announced the closure of Blue Protocol's Japanese servers on January 18, 2025. This directly led to the cancellation of the anticipated global launch in partnership with Amazon Games. The company cited an inability to deliver a consistently satisfying player experience as the primary reason for the shutdown. In their official statement, Bandai Namco expressed regret, acknowledging their failure to meet player expectations and their disappointment at halting global development.

Player Compensation and Final Updates

Despite the closure, Bandai Namco pledges continued support for Blue Protocol until its final day. While Rose Orb purchases and refunds are discontinued, players will receive 5,000 Rose Orbs monthly (starting September 2024) and 250 daily. The Season 9 pass is now free, and the final content update (Chapter 7) is slated for December 18, 2024.

A Promising Start, A Disappointing End

Launched in Japan in June 2023, Blue Protocol initially attracted significant attention, boasting over 200,000 concurrent players. However, launch-day server issues and subsequent player dissatisfaction led to a rapid decline in player numbers. The game's underperformance, previously hinted at in Bandai Namco's March 31, 2024 financial report, ultimately sealed its fate. Despite its initial success, Blue Protocol failed to meet long-term player engagement and financial targets.