Project KV Cancelled After Negative Reactions Over Blue Archive Similarities

Former Blue Archive developers' visual novel, Project KV, has been scrapped following intense backlash. Let's explore the reasons behind this cancellation.

Project KV Cancellation: A Response to Backlash

Dynamis One Apologizes for Project KV

Dynamis One, a studio founded by ex-Blue Archive developers, announced the cancellation of Project KV on September 9th via Twitter (X). The game, initially generating considerable buzz, faced heavy criticism due to its striking resemblance to Blue Archive, their previous project at Nexon Games.

In their statement, Dynamis One apologized for the controversy, acknowledging concerns about the similarities. They committed to avoiding similar issues in the future and confirmed the removal of all Project KV related online materials. The studio expressed regret to fans and promised to strive for higher standards in future endeavors.

Project KV's initial promotional video (August 18th) and a subsequent teaser (two weeks later) showcased its story, characters, and development team. However, the project's cancellation came swiftly after the second teaser. While disappointing for Dynamis One, the online reaction largely celebrated the decision.

The "Red Archive" Controversy: Blue Archive's Shadow

Dynamis One, led by former Blue Archive lead Park Byeong-Lim, launched in April 2024. The subsequent unveiling of Project KV ignited a firestorm. Fans immediately highlighted the striking similarities between the two projects: the aesthetic, music, and core concept – a city populated by weapon-wielding female students – all mirrored Blue Archive.

The "Master" character, reminiscent of Blue Archive's "Sensei," and the halo-like adornments above characters further fueled the controversy. These halos, significant narrative elements in Blue Archive, were particularly contentious, leading to accusations of plagiarism and the project being dubbed "Red Archive," a derivative work.

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, many viewed the cancellation as a justified response to the perceived plagiarism. Dynamis One's future and whether they will learn from this experience remains to be seen.