Project KV Cancelled After Negative Reactions Over Blue Archive Similarities

Project KV, a visual novel developed by former Blue Archive creators, has been canceled following significant backlash. This article explores the reasons behind the game's abrupt termination.

Project KV Cancellation Following Backlash Over Blue Archive Resemblance

Dynamis One Apologizes for the Controversy

Dynamis One, a studio established by ex-Blue Archive developers at Nexon Games, has canceled its anticipated project, Project KV. The game, initially generating considerable buzz, faced intense criticism due to its striking similarities to Blue Archive, their previous work.

On September 9th, Dynamis One announced the cancellation on Twitter (X), apologizing for the resulting controversy and acknowledging public concerns regarding the game's resemblance to Blue Archive. They emphasized their commitment to avoiding future conflicts and confirmed the removal of all Project KV-related online materials. The studio expressed regret to fans who had shown support and pledged to strive for improved future projects.

Project KV's initial promotional video, released August 18th, showcased a voiced story prologue. A second teaser, released two weeks later, provided further details on characters and narrative. However, the project was unexpectedly canceled a week after the second teaser. While disappointing for Dynamis One, the online reaction to the cancellation was largely celebratory.

Blue Archive vs. the "Red Archive" Controversy

Dynamis One, a Korean publisher headed by former Blue Archive lead Park Byeong-Lim, sparked discussion upon its founding in April. Park's departure from Nexon, along with key developers, raised eyebrows among the Blue Archive community.

The subsequent unveiling of Project KV ignited a firestorm. Fans quickly highlighted significant similarities, from aesthetics and music to the core concept: a Japanese-style city populated by weapon-wielding female students. The inclusion of a "Master" character, echoing Blue Archive's "Sensei," and halo-like adornments further fueled the controversy.

These halos, a key narrative element in Blue Archive, were particularly contentious. Their presence in Project KV raised concerns about the project leveraging Blue Archive's success through visual similarities, leading to accusations of plagiarism and the nickname "Red Archive," suggesting a derivative work.

Despite this, Kim Yong-ha, Blue Archive's general producer, indirectly addressed the issue by sharing a fan account's clarification confirming Project KV's lack of official connection to Blue Archive.

The overwhelmingly negative response ultimately led to Project KV's cancellation. While some expressed disappointment, many viewed the cancellation as a justified consequence of the perceived plagiarism. Dynamis One's future direction and whether they will learn from this experience remains to be seen.