Project KV, a visual novel developed by former Blue Archive creators, has been canceled following significant backlash. This article explores the reasons behind the cancellation.
Project KV Cancellation Following Backlash Over Blue Archive Resemblance
Dynamis One Apologizes for the Controversy
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 game, initially generating considerable buzz, faced intense criticism due to its striking similarities to Blue Archive, their previous project.
The studio's statement acknowledged the controversy surrounding Project KV's resemblance to Blue Archive and apologized for the resulting turmoil. They emphasized their commitment to avoiding similar issues in the future and confirmed the project's termination, along with the removal of all related online materials. They expressed regret to fans who had supported the project and pledged to improve future endeavors to meet fan expectations.
Project KV's initial promotional video, released August 18th, showcased a voiced story prologue. A second teaser, providing a closer look at characters and storyline, followed two weeks later. The cancellation came just a week after the second teaser's release. While disappointing for Dynamis One, the online reaction to the cancellation was largely positive.
Blue Archive vs. "Red Archive"
The formation of Dynamis One in April, led by former Blue Archive developer Park Byeong-Lim, initially sparked discussion among Blue Archive fans. The subsequent unveiling of Project KV, however, ignited a storm of controversy. Fans quickly identified numerous similarities between the two projects, from aesthetics and music to the core concept: a Japanese-style 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 visually significant halos, further fueled the criticism. These halos, integral to Blue Archive's narrative, were a major point of contention, leading to accusations of plagiarism and the project being dubbed "Red Archive," a perceived derivative of Blue Archive.
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 account's clarification 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, but the cancellation is widely seen as a direct consequence of the plagiarism accusations. The future direction of Dynamis One and whether they will learn from this experience remains to be seen.
