Blue Archive Clone Canceled Amid Backlash

Project KV, a visual novel developed by former Blue Archive creators, has been cancelled due to significant backlash over its striking resemblance to its predecessor. This article explores the reasons behind the project's abrupt termination.

Project KV Cancellation Following Backlash Over Blue Archive Similarities

Dynamis One Apologizes for the Controversy

Dynamis One, a studio founded by ex-Blue Archive developers at Nexon Games, announced the cancellation of its anticipated game, Project KV, on September 9th via Twitter (X). The statement apologized for the negative reaction and acknowledged concerns regarding the game's similarities to Blue Archive. The studio emphasized its commitment to avoiding future controversies and confirmed the removal of all Project KV related materials online. They expressed regret to fans and vowed to improve future projects to better meet expectations.

Initial promotional videos released on August 18th and August 30th showcased the game's story, characters, and voice acting. However, the project's cancellation followed swiftly after the second teaser. While disappointing for Dynamis One, the online response largely celebrated the decision.

Blue Archive vs. the "Red Archive" Controversy

The formation of Dynamis One in April 2024, led by former Blue Archive lead Park Byeong-Lim, initially raised eyebrows among the Blue Archive fanbase. The subsequent unveiling of Project KV ignited a firestorm. Fans highlighted numerous similarities, from the aesthetic and music to the core concept: a Japanese-style city populated by weapon-wielding female students.

The presence of a "Master" character echoing Blue Archive's "Sensei," and particularly the halo-like adornments above characters (mirroring a key visual element in Blue Archive with significant narrative importance), fueled accusations of plagiarism and a perception of Project KV as a blatant copy. The use of "KV," speculated to stand for "Kivotos" (Blue Archive's city), led to the nickname "Red Archive," emphasizing its perceived derivative nature.

While Blue Archive's general producer, Kim Yong-ha, indirectly addressed the controversy by sharing a fan clarification post emphasizing Project KV's lack of official connection to Blue Archive, the overwhelming negative feedback ultimately led to its cancellation. While some expressed disappointment, many viewed the cancellation as a justified response to the perceived plagiarism. The future direction of Dynamis One and whether they will learn from this experience remains to be seen.