Blue Archive Clone 'Project KV' Axed After Backlash

Project KV, a visual novel developed by former Blue Archive creators, has been cancelled following significant backlash. This article explores the reasons behind the project's abrupt termination.

Project KV Cancellation: Dynamis One Responds

Dynamis One, a studio founded by ex-Blue Archive developers at Nexon Games, announced the cancellation of their anticipated title, Project KV, on September 9th via Twitter (X). The statement apologized for the controversy surrounding the game's striking resemblance to Blue Archive, acknowledging fan concerns and promising to avoid similar issues in future endeavors. All Project KV materials were subsequently removed from online platforms. The studio expressed regret to supporters and vowed to improve future projects to meet fan expectations.

Project KV's initial promotional video (August 18th) and a subsequent teaser (two weeks later) generated excitement, but the project's cancellation a week after the second teaser surprised many. While the developers likely experienced disappointment, online reaction largely celebrated the cancellation.

Blue Archive and the "Red Archive" Controversy

Dynamis One, established in April by former Blue Archive lead Park Byeong-Lim and other key developers, immediately attracted attention from the Blue Archive fanbase. The subsequent unveiling of Project KV ignited a controversy due to its perceived similarities to Blue Archive. The shared aesthetic, music, and core concept – a Japanese-style city populated by weapon-wielding female students – fueled concerns.

The presence of a "Master" character, echoing Blue Archive's "Sensei," and the use of halo-like adornments, similar to those in Blue Archive with significant narrative importance, further intensified the criticism. Many viewed these similarities as an attempt to capitalize on Blue Archive's success, leading to accusations of plagiarism and the "Red Archive" moniker (a perceived derivative of Blue Archive).

While Blue Archive's general producer, Kim Yong-ha, indirectly addressed the controversy by sharing a clarification post emphasizing Project KV's independence from Blue Archive, the negative feedback proved insurmountable.

The overwhelming negative response ultimately led to Project KV's cancellation. While some expressed disappointment, many considered the cancellation a justified response to the alleged plagiarism. The future direction of Dynamis One and whether they will learn from this experience remains uncertain.