Project KV Cancelled After Negative Reactions Over Blue Archive Similarities

Former Blue Archive Developers Cancel Project KV Amidst Plagiarism Accusations

Dynamis One, a studio founded by ex-Blue Archive developers, has scrapped its upcoming project, Project KV, following a significant backlash over its striking resemblance to its predecessor. The visual novel-style game, announced to much fanfare, quickly faced intense criticism for its apparent similarities to Nexon Games' popular mobile gacha title.

The Cancellation Announcement

On September 9th, Dynamis One issued an apology on Twitter (X), announcing the cancellation of Project KV. The statement acknowledged the controversy surrounding the game's design and expressed regret for the negative reaction. The company pledged to avoid similar issues in the future and confirmed the removal of all Project KV related materials from online platforms. They concluded by promising to strive for higher standards in future endeavors.

Project KV's Short-Lived Hype

Initially unveiled with a promotional video on August 18th, featuring voice acting and a story prologue, Project KV generated considerable buzz. A second teaser, released two weeks later, provided further glimpses into the game's characters and storyline. However, the project's swift cancellation just a week after the second teaser underscores the intensity of the negative response.

The "Red Archive" Controversy

The establishment of Dynamis One in April, led by former Blue Archive developer Park Byeong-Lim, initially raised some eyebrows among Blue Archive fans. The subsequent unveiling of Project KV, however, ignited a firestorm. The game's aesthetic, music, and core concept—a Japanese-style city inhabited by female students wielding weapons—drew heavy comparisons to Blue Archive.

The inclusion of a "Master" character, reminiscent of Blue Archive's "Sensei," and the use of halo-like adornments above characters, similar to those in Blue Archive, further fueled the controversy. These halos, particularly, were a point of contention, given their narrative significance in Blue Archive.

Accusations of plagiarism and the nickname "Red Archive" – implying a derivative work – became widespread. While Blue Archive's general producer, Kim Yong-ha, indirectly addressed the situation by sharing a fan clarification on Twitter (X) stating Project KV was not a sequel or spin-off, the damage was done.

The Aftermath

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