Project KV, a visual novel developed by former Blue Archive creators, has been canceled following significant backlash over its striking resemblance to its predecessor. This article explores the reasons behind the game's abrupt cancellation.
Project KV Cancellation: Dynamis One's Apology
Dynamis One, a studio founded by ex-Blue Archive developers, announced the cancellation of Project KV on September 9th via Twitter (X). The statement apologized for the controversy sparked by the game's similarities to Blue Archive, a mobile gacha game developed by Nexon Games. The studio acknowledged fan concerns and committed to avoiding similar issues in the future. All Project KV materials were subsequently removed from online platforms. Dynamis One expressed regret to supporters and pledged to improve future projects to better meet fan expectations.
Initial teasers for Project KV, released on August 18th and August 31st, showcased the game's story, characters, and voice acting. However, the overwhelmingly negative response led to its cancellation just a week after the second teaser. While disappointing for the developers, the online reaction largely celebrated the project's demise.
Blue Archive's Shadow: "Red Archive" Controversy
Dynamis One, led by former Blue Archive lead Park Byeong-Lim, sparked controversy upon its founding in April. The departure of key developers from Nexon raised immediate concerns among the Blue Archive fanbase. These concerns intensified with Project KV's unveiling, as fans quickly identified numerous similarities to Blue Archive. The similarities extended from the aesthetic and music to the core concept: a Japanese-style city populated by weapon-wielding female students, and a "Master" character reminiscent of Blue Archive's "Sensei."
The most contentious point was the inclusion of halo-like adornments above characters' heads, mirroring a key visual element in Blue Archive with significant narrative importance. This, coupled with speculation that "KV" stood for "Kivotos" (Blue Archive's fictional city), fueled accusations of plagiarism and the nickname "Red Archive." The perception was that Project KV was a derivative work capitalizing on Blue Archive's success.
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 forced Dynamis One's hand. The cancellation was announced without further explanation. While some expressed disappointment at the lost potential, many viewed it as a just consequence of the perceived plagiarism. The future direction of Dynamis One and its ability to learn from this experience remains uncertain.
