Project KV Cancelled After Negative Reactions Over Blue Archive Similarities

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

Project KV Cancellation: Dynamis One Issues Apology

Dynamis One, a studio founded by ex-Blue Archive developers at Nexon Games, announced the cancellation of its highly anticipated Project KV on September 9th via Twitter (X). The statement apologized for the controversy sparked by the game's similarities to Blue Archive, a mobile gacha title. The studio acknowledged fan concerns and affirmed its commitment to avoiding future conflicts. All Project KV materials have been removed from online platforms. The developers expressed regret to supporters and pledged to improve future projects to better meet fan expectations.

Project KV's initial promotional video (August 18th) and a subsequent teaser (two weeks later) generated considerable buzz. However, the project's cancellation just a week after the second teaser's release came as a surprise. While disappointing for Dynamis One, the online reaction to the cancellation was largely positive.

Blue Archive vs. "Red Archive": A Storm of Controversy

Dynamis One, led by former Blue Archive lead Park Byeong-Lim, was established in April. The departure of key developers from Nexon raised immediate concerns among the Blue Archive fanbase. These concerns intensified with the reveal of Project KV, which showcased numerous similarities to Blue Archive. These similarities extended from the visual style and music to the core concept: a Japanese-style city inhabited by female students wielding weapons.

The inclusion of a "Master" character, echoing Blue Archive's "Sensei," and the presence of halo-like adornments above characters, mirroring Blue Archive's iconic halos, further fueled the controversy. These halos, significant narrative elements in Blue Archive, were particularly contentious. Many viewed their inclusion in Project KV as an attempt to leverage Blue Archive's success, leading to accusations of plagiarism and the game being dubbed "Red Archive"—a derivative work.

While speculation ran rampant, including the suggestion that "KV" stood for "Kivotos" (Blue Archive's fictional city), Kim Yong-ha, Blue Archive's general producer, indirectly addressed the controversy by sharing a fan's clarification on Twitter (X) stating that Project KV was not a sequel or spin-off.

The overwhelmingly negative response ultimately led to Project KV's cancellation. Dynamis One's announcement lacked specifics, leaving the future direction of the studio and its future projects uncertain. While some expressed disappointment, many saw the cancellation as a justified response to the perceived plagiarism. The incident raises questions about the studio's ability to learn from this experience and develop a more original vision for future projects.