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

Project KV Cancellation Following Backlash Over Blue Archive Similarities

Dynamis One Issues Apology

Dynamis One, a studio founded by ex-Blue Archive developers at Nexon Games, announced the cancellation of their anticipated Project KV on September 9th via Twitter (X). The statement apologized for the controversy stemming from Project KV's similarities to Blue Archive, a mobile gacha game. The studio acknowledged concerns and pledged to avoid similar issues in future projects. All Project KV materials were subsequently removed from online platforms. The developers expressed regret to fans and promised to strive for higher standards in future endeavors.

Initial promotional videos released on August 18th and August 30th showcased the game's story, characters, and voice acting. However, the project's cancellation followed shortly after the second teaser, surprising many. While the developers may be disappointed, online reaction to the cancellation has been largely positive.

Blue Archive and the "Red Archive" Controversy

The formation of Dynamis One in April 2024 by former Blue Archive developers, including Park Byeong-Lim, initially raised eyebrows among the Blue Archive fanbase. The subsequent unveiling of Project KV ignited a significant online debate. Fans quickly identified numerous similarities between the two games, including aesthetics, music, and the core concept: a city populated by weapon-wielding female students.

The presence of a "Master" character, reminiscent of Blue Archive's "Sensei," and the use of halo-like adornments above characters, directly echoing Blue Archive's visual identifiers, fueled the controversy.

These halos, significant narrative elements in Blue Archive, were a major point of contention. Many felt Project KV inappropriately leveraged Blue Archive's success through visual mimicry, leading to accusations of plagiarism and the game being dubbed "Red Archive," a perceived derivative.

While Kim Yong-ha, Blue Archive's general producer, indirectly addressed the controversy by sharing a clarifying fan post emphasizing the lack of official connection between the two projects, the damage was done.

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