Bandai Namco and Amazon Games have jointly confirmed that Blue Protocol, an anime-inspired MMORPG, has been cancelled and will no longer see a global release. It was due to launch worldwide after being released in Japan, but Bandai Namco announced today that in January 2025, the game will be shut down entirely.
This news comes after almost a decade of development, with Amazon Games confirming in 2022 that it has been in the works since 2015.
‘Not Be Possible to Provide a Service that Satisfies’
In a statement published on the Bandai Namco website, the shutdown of Blue Protocol was explained:
We regret to inform you that the Japanese version of Blue Protocol will be discontinued on Saturday January 18, 2025.
As a result, we have also canceled our plans to release a Western version of the game in collaboration with Amazon Games. We have enjoyed a strong relationship with Amazon Games throughout the development of Blue Protocol, and both of our teams are disappointed that we will not be able to deliver the game to players around the world.
We know there has been great anticipation for Blue Protocol since the first announcement of the game. We wanted to deliver an experience that is like stepping into the world of anime, and we have been challenging ourselves to create a world where each and every player can enjoy adventures as the main character of the anime. We have worked hard to prepare for the release; however, we have come to the conclusion that it will not be possible to provide a service that satisfies all of you.
We deeply apologize for the sudden announcement.
Featuring sumptuous visuals, innovative character and enemy designs, and a semi-open-world environment, Blue Protocol had all the makings of a solid MMO. It impressed players during testing phases, and it was due to come to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC in all markets next year.
It’s a sudden shock, but this live service game will be sunsetted in January 2025.
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