Amazon and Bandai shutter anime MMO Blue Protocol

1 month ago

Blue Protocol, an anime-inspired MMO developed by Bandai Namco, will shut down its Japanese servers on January 18th, 2025. The game was in the process of being released in the west, with publishing handled by Amazon Games. Because of the game’s pending shuttering, its western release has been summarily cancelled.

Blue Protocol’s developers released a statement on the game’s website in Japanese and English announcing the cancellation. “We have worked hard to prepare for the release; however, we have come to the conclusion that it will not be possible to provide a service that satisfies all of you,” read the English statement.

According to producer Sokichi Shimooka, Blue Protocol was in development for eight years before its Japanese release on PC in June 2023. Amazon Games planned to bring Blue Protocol to western gamers, announcing its partnership with Bandai Namco at the 2022 Game Awards. Blue Protocol would have fit in with Amazon Games’ portfolio which includes a number of MMOs like Lost Ark, New World, Throne and Liberty, and an unnamed project set in the Lord of the Rings universe. Amazon is also producing a number of single-player games including a new entry in the Tomb Raider franchise and several other unannounced titles.