Blue Archive Similarity Concerns Halt Project KV Development

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 project's abrupt termination.

Project KV Cancellation: A Response to Backlash

Dynamis One Issues Apology

Dynamis One, the studio founded by ex-Blue Archive developers, announced the cancellation of Project KV on September 9th via Twitter (X). Their statement acknowledged the controversy surrounding the game's similarities to Blue Archive, a mobile gacha game developed at Nexon Games. The studio apologized for the resulting upset and pledged to avoid similar issues in the future. All Project KV materials were subsequently removed from online platforms. While expressing regret to fans, Dynamis One committed to exceeding expectations in future endeavors.

Initial teasers for Project KV, released on August 18th and August 30th, showcased the game's story, characters, and voice acting. However, the negative reaction online led to its cancellation just a week after the second teaser. While disappointing for the developers, the online community largely celebrated the decision.

Striking Similarities Spark Controversy: Blue Archive vs. "Red Archive"

The formation of Dynamis One in April 2024, led by former Blue Archive lead Park Byeong-Lim, initially raised eyebrows among Blue Archive fans. The subsequent unveiling of Project KV ignited a firestorm of criticism due to its numerous similarities to Blue Archive. These similarities extended from the overall aesthetic and music to the core concept: a Japanese-style city populated by weapon-wielding female students.

The inclusion of a "Master" character, reminiscent of Blue Archive's "Sensei," and the use of halo-like adornments above characters, directly mirroring Blue Archive's iconic halos, further fueled the controversy.

The halos, specifically, were a major point of contention. In Blue Archive, they carry significant narrative weight, serving as key visual identifiers of the IP. Their presence in Project KV led to accusations of plagiarism and the perception that the project was capitalizing on Blue Archive's success. The speculated connection between "KV" and "Kivotos" (Blue Archive's fictional city), and the nickname "Red Archive," further intensified the negative sentiment.

While Blue Archive's general producer, Kim Yong-ha, 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 resulted in Project KV's cancellation. While some expressed disappointment, many viewed the cancellation as a justified consequence of the perceived plagiarism. The future direction of Dynamis One and whether they will learn from this experience remains to be seen.