Project KV Cancelled After Negative Reactions Over Blue Archive Similarities

Former Blue Archive Developers Cancel Project KV Amidst Plagiarism Accusations

Dynamis One, a studio founded by ex-Blue Archive developers, has pulled the plug on its highly anticipated visual novel, Project KV. The swift cancellation follows a significant backlash from fans who perceived striking similarities between Project KV and its predecessor, Nexon's popular mobile gacha game, Blue Archive.

The studio issued a public apology on X (formerly Twitter) on September 9th, acknowledging the controversy surrounding the game's design and concept. They cited concerns about the project's resemblance to Blue Archive as the reason for its cancellation, promising to learn from this experience and avoid similar issues in future endeavors. All online materials related to Project KV are being removed.

Project KV's initial promotional materials, released in August, generated considerable buzz. However, the project's strikingly similar aesthetic, including character designs, music, and overall setting – a Japanese-style city populated by weapon-wielding female students – quickly drew criticism. The presence of a "Master" figure, echoing Blue Archive's "Sensei," and the use of halo-like adornments, a key visual element in Blue Archive, further fueled the controversy.

The similarities sparked accusations of plagiarism, with many online dubbing the project "Red Archive," highlighting its perceived derivative nature. While Blue Archive's general producer, Kim Yong-ha, indirectly acknowledged the situation via a fan's clarification post on X, emphasizing the lack of official connection between the two titles, the damage was done.

The overwhelming negative reception ultimately led to Project KV's cancellation. While some may mourn the lost potential, the decision is widely viewed as a consequence of the perceived plagiarism. The future direction of Dynamis One remains uncertain, leaving open the question of whether they will successfully navigate future projects with a more original vision.