Project KV, a visual novel developed by former Blue Archive creators, has been scrapped. This article explores the reasons behind its cancellation.

Project KV Cancellation Following Backlash Over Blue Archive Resemblance

Dynamis One Apologizes for the Uproar

Dynamis One, a studio founded by ex-Blue Archive developers, has canceled its anticipated title, Project KV. Initially generating considerable buzz, the game became mired in controversy due to its striking similarities to Blue Archive, the mobile gacha game the team previously worked on at Nexon Games.

The studio announced the cancellation via X (formerly Twitter) on September 9th. In their statement, Dynamis One apologized for the resulting controversy and acknowledged concerns regarding the game's resemblance to Blue Archive. They pledged to avoid similar issues in the future and confirmed the project's termination. The studio also expressed regret to fans who had supported Project KV and stated that all related online materials would be removed.

The statement concluded with a promise to strive harder to meet fan expectations.

Project KV's debut promotional video, released August 18th, featured a voiced story prologue and introduced the development team. A second teaser, showcasing characters, story, and key figures, followed two weeks later. However, the project was unexpectedly canceled a week after the second teaser's release.

While this outcome may be disappointing for Dynamis One, online reactions largely celebrated the project's demise.

Blue Archive vs. the "Red Archive" Controversy

Dynamis One, a Korean publisher led by former Blue Archive lead Park Byeong-Lim, generated considerable discussion upon its founding in April. Park's departure from Nexon, along with key developers, raised eyebrows within the Blue Archive fanbase.

The subsequent unveiling of Project KV ignited a firestorm. Fans quickly noted striking similarities between the new project and Nexon's Blue Archive, ranging from aesthetics and music to the core concept: a Japanese-style city populated by weapon-wielding female students.

Further fueling the controversy was a "Master" character reminiscent of Blue Archive's "Sensei," and halo-like adornments above characters, mirroring those in Blue Archive.

These halos were particularly contentious. In Blue Archive, they carry significant narrative weight, serving as a visual symbol of the IP. Their appearance in Project KV raised concerns about the project capitalizing on Blue Archive's success through visual similarities, leading to accusations of plagiarism and the perception of a blatant rip-off.

Fans even speculated that "KV" stood for "Kivotos," Blue Archive's fictional city, dubbing Project KV the "Red Archive," suggesting it was a derivative work.

Despite this, Kim Yong-ha, Blue Archive's general producer, indirectly addressed the controversy by sharing a fan account's clarification on X, stating that Project KV was not a sequel or spin-off, but a project from a company formed by former Nexon employees.

The overwhelmingly negative response ultimately led to Project KV's cancellation. Dynamis One announced the cancellation without detailed explanation. While some expressed disappointment, many viewed it as a justified consequence of the alleged plagiarism. Whether Dynamis One will learn from this and create a more distinct project remains to be seen.