Blue Archive-Like Game Project KV Scrapped Amidst Backlash

Former Blue Archive Developers Cancel Project KV Amidst Plagiarism Accusations

Dynamis One, a studio founded by ex-Blue Archive developers, has pulled the plug on its anticipated visual novel, Project KV. The game, initially generating considerable buzz, faced intense backlash due to its striking resemblance to its predecessor, the popular mobile gacha game, Blue Archive.

The cancellation announcement, made via X (formerly Twitter) on September 9th, included an apology from Dynamis One for the controversy and acknowledged fan concerns regarding the similarities. The studio pledged to avoid future conflicts and confirmed the removal of all Project KV materials online. They expressed regret to supporters and promised to strive for higher standards in future projects.

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

The "Red Archive" Controversy

Dynamis One's founding in April, spearheaded by former Blue Archive lead Park Byeong-Lim and other key developers, immediately raised questions within the Blue Archive community. The subsequent unveiling of Project KV intensified concerns. Fans quickly highlighted numerous similarities, from aesthetics and music to the core concept: a city populated by female students wielding weapons.

The inclusion of a "Master" character, echoing Blue Archive's "Sensei," and the use of halo-like adornments above characters, directly mirroring Blue Archive's visually significant halos, fueled the controversy. Many viewed these similarities as an attempt to leverage Blue Archive's success, leading to accusations of plagiarism and the "Red Archive" moniker.

The significance of the halos in Blue Archive's narrative added to the criticism. While Blue Archive's creator, Kim Yong-ha, indirectly addressed the controversy by sharing a fan clarification stating Project KV's lack of official connection to Blue Archive, the damage was done.

The overwhelmingly negative feedback ultimately led to Project KV's cancellation. While some may lament the lost potential, many see the cancellation as a consequence of the perceived plagiarism. Dynamis One's future and whether they will learn from this experience remain to be seen.