Project KV, a visual novel developed by former Blue Archive creators, has been canceled following significant backlash over its striking similarities to its predecessor. This article explores the reasons behind the project's abrupt termination.
Project KV Cancellation: An Apology from Dynamis One
Dynamis One, a studio founded by ex-Blue Archive developers at Nexon Games, announced the cancellation of Project KV on September 9th via Twitter (X). Their statement apologized for the controversy sparked by the game's resemblance to Blue Archive, a mobile gacha game. The studio acknowledged fan concerns and emphasized its commitment to avoiding future conflicts. All Project KV materials were subsequently removed online. While expressing regret to supporters, Dynamis One pledged to improve and better meet fan expectations in future endeavors.
Project KV's initial promotional video (August 18th) and a subsequent teaser (two weeks later) generated considerable buzz. However, the project's cancellation followed just a week after the second teaser's release, surprising many. While the developers likely experienced disappointment, online reactions largely celebrated the cancellation.
Blue Archive vs. the "Red Archive" Controversy
Dynamis One, headed by former Blue Archive lead Park Byeong-Lim, launched in April 2024, immediately raising eyebrows within the Blue Archive community. The subsequent reveal of Project KV ignited a firestorm. Fans quickly identified numerous similarities, from aesthetics and music to the core concept: a Japanese-style city populated by weapon-wielding female students.
The presence of a "Master" character, echoing Blue Archive's "Sensei," and the use of halo-like adornments above characters, directly mirroring Blue Archive's visually significant halos, fueled accusations of plagiarism. The halos, particularly, were a point of contention, as they hold narrative importance within Blue Archive. Many viewed Project KV's use of these elements as an attempt to capitalize on Blue Archive's success. The project was even dubbed "Red Archive" by some, suggesting it was a derivative work.
While Blue Archive's general producer, Kim Yong-ha, indirectly addressed the controversy by retweeting a clarification stating Project KV's lack of official connection to Blue Archive, the damage was done.
The overwhelmingly negative response ultimately led to Project KV's cancellation. Dynamis One's decision, while not explicitly detailing the reasons, was widely interpreted as a justified response to the plagiarism accusations. The future direction of Dynamis One and whether they will learn from this experience remains uncertain.
