Project KV Cancelled Amid Controversy Over Blue Archive Similarities
Dynamis One, a development studio established by former Blue Archive developers, has officially canceled their highly anticipated game, Project KV. The decision comes after a significant backlash due to the project's striking resemblance to Blue Archive, a popular mobile gacha game developed by Nexon Games, where the team previously worked.
On September 9th, Dynamis One took to Twitter (X) to announce the cancellation. In their statement, the studio expressed regret over the controversy and apologized for any disturbance caused by Project KV. They acknowledged the concerns regarding the game's similarities to Blue Archive and committed to avoiding similar issues in the future. The studio also promised to remove all related materials from online platforms and apologized to fans who had shown support for the project. Dynamis One concluded by pledging to work harder to meet the expectations of their fanbase.
Project KV's Brief Journey
Project KV first caught the public's eye with its promotional video released on August 18th, featuring a story prologue and full voice acting. A second teaser, released two weeks later, provided more details about the game's characters and narrative. However, just a week after this second teaser, the project was abruptly canceled.
While the cancellation may be disheartening for Dynamis One, online reactions suggest a different sentiment, with many celebrating the project's end.
The Controversy: Blue Archive vs. 'Red Archive'
Dynamis One, led by Park Byeong-Lim, a former key developer of Blue Archive, drew attention when it was founded in April this year. The announcement of Project KV a few months later ignited a fierce online debate due to its similarities to Blue Archive. Fans quickly noted the resemblance in aesthetics, music, and the core concept of a Japanese-style city filled with armed female students.
The inclusion of a "Master" character similar to Blue Archive's "Sensei" and the use of halo-like adornments above characters' heads, reminiscent of Blue Archive's iconic halos, fueled the controversy. These halos, integral to Blue Archive's narrative and visual identity, were seen as a direct lift by many, leading to accusations of plagiarism and the project being dubbed "Red Archive."
Speculation arose that "KV" might stand for "Kivotos," the fictional city in Blue Archive, furthering the notion that Project KV was an unauthorized derivative.
Official Response and Public Reaction
In response to the controversy, Kim Yong-ha, Blue Archive's general producer, shared a post from a fan account on Twitter (X) clarifying that Project KV was neither a sequel nor a spin-off of Blue Archive. The post emphasized that it was a new game developed by a company formed by former Nexon employees.
Despite this clarification, the negative feedback overwhelmed the project, leading to its cancellation. While some mourned the lost potential, many viewed the decision as a justified response to the allegations of copying. The future direction of Dynamis One remains uncertain, leaving fans to wonder if the studio will take this lesson to heart and pursue a more original vision in their upcoming projects.
