Blue Protocol Global Release Canceled Amid Japan Server Shutdown

Bandai Namco has made the tough decision to shut down the servers for Blue Protocol in Japan on January 18, 2025, and as a result, the anticipated global release in collaboration with Amazon Games has been completely canceled. The decision stems from Bandai's recognition that they can no longer deliver a service that meets the expectations of their dedicated fanbase. In their official statement, Bandai expressed their deep regret: "We have decided that it is beyond our capabilities to continue providing a service that satisfies everyone." They also shared their disappointment in not being able to move forward with the global release alongside Amazon Games.

As Blue Protocol nears its end, Bandai has committed to supporting the game with ongoing updates and new content right up until the final day. However, players will no longer be able to purchase or request refunds for the in-game currency, known as Rose Orbs. To compensate, Bandai will distribute 5,000 Rose Orbs to players on the first day of each month starting from September 2024 through January 2025, alongside a daily allocation of 250 Rose Orbs. Additionally, the Season 9 pass, which was recently released, will be available for free, and the final update, Chapter 7, is set to launch on December 18, 2024.

Blue Protocol debuted in Japan in June 2023, initially drawing significant attention with over 200,000 concurrent players at launch. Unfortunately, the game encountered numerous server issues right from the start, prompting Bandai to undertake emergency maintenance on release day. Despite the promising beginning, the game saw a decline in player numbers and rising dissatisfaction among its community. In its financial report for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024, Bandai Namco acknowledged that Blue Protocol had underperformed, which ultimately led to the decision to terminate the service.