Project KV Axed Amid Backlash Over Blue Archive Resemblance

Project KV, a much-anticipated visual novel-type game from Dynamis One, a studio formed by former Blue Archive developers, has been officially canceled. The decision comes in the wake of intense scrutiny and criticism over its similarities to Blue Archive, the mobile gacha game developed by Nexon Games, where the team previously worked.

Project KV Devs Apologize for the Commotion

Dynamis One announced the cancellation of Project KV on Twitter (X) on September 9th. In their statement, they expressed deep regret for the controversy and uproar caused by the game, acknowledging the concerns about its similarities to Blue Archive. The studio committed to preventing future issues and confirmed the removal of all Project KV-related materials online. They also extended apologies to fans who had shown support for the project and promised to strive harder to meet fan expectations moving forward.

Project KV was first introduced to the public on August 18th with a promotional video featuring a story prologue and voice acting, introducing the development teams. A second teaser followed two weeks later, offering more details on the game's characters and narrative. However, the project faced cancellation just a week after the release of this second teaser, surprising many in the gaming community. While the cancellation was a blow to Dynamis One, some online users expressed relief and even celebration at the project's end.

Blue Archive vs. ‘Red Archive’

Dynamis One, led by former Blue Archive lead Park Byeong-Lim, had already sparked interest upon its formation in April of this year. The announcement of Project KV several months later ignited a wave of controversy online due to its striking similarities to Blue Archive. Fans quickly noticed parallels in the game's aesthetic, music, and core concept—a Japanese-style city populated by weapon-wielding female students. The inclusion of a "Master" character similar to Blue Archive’s "Sensei" and the use of halo-like adornments above characters further fueled the controversy.

The halos, a significant narrative element in Blue Archive, were particularly contentious. Many fans felt that Project KV was attempting to leverage Blue Archive's success by adopting similar visual cues, leading to accusations of plagiarism and the nickname "Red Archive." Speculation even arose that "KV" might stand for "Kivotos," the fictional city in Blue Archive, suggesting a derivative connection.

In response to the controversy, Kim Yong-ha, the general producer of Blue Archive, shared a post on Twitter (X) from a fan account clarifying that Project KV was not a sequel or spin-off of Blue Archive but a new game developed by former Nexon employees.

Despite this clarification, the overwhelming negative feedback led to the cancellation of Project KV. Dynamis One did not provide detailed reasons for the cancellation but acknowledged the impact of the controversy. While some mourned the loss of potential in Project KV, many viewed the cancellation as a justified response to the perceived plagiarism. The future direction of Dynamis One remains uncertain, leaving fans to wonder if the studio will pursue a more original vision in their next endeavors.