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 upcoming visual novel, Project KV. The game, initially generating considerable buzz, faced intense backlash due to its striking resemblance to its predecessor, Nexon's Blue Archive.

The cancellation, announced on September 9th via X (formerly Twitter), followed an apology from Dynamis One for the controversy sparked by Project KV’s similarities. The studio acknowledged fan concerns and stated its commitment to avoiding future conflicts, removing all online Project KV materials. While expressing regret to supporters, they pledged to improve and better meet fan expectations in future endeavors.

Project KV’s initial promotional video (August 18th) and subsequent teaser (two weeks later) showcased its story, characters, and voice acting. However, the project's swift cancellation, just a week after the second teaser, surprised many. While Dynamis One may be disappointed, online reaction largely celebrated the decision.

The "Red Archive" Controversy

Dynamis One, headed by former Blue Archive lead Park Byeong-Lim, ignited debate upon its formation in April. The departure of key developers from Nexon raised immediate concerns within the Blue Archive community. These concerns escalated when Project KV was revealed, showcasing similarities that ranged from aesthetics and music to the core concept: a city populated by weapon-wielding female students.

The presence of a "Master" character, reminiscent of Blue Archive's "Sensei," and the use of halo-like adornments mirroring those in Blue Archive, further fueled accusations of plagiarism. The halos, significant narrative elements in Blue Archive, were a particularly contentious point.

Fans even dubbed Project KV "Red Archive," speculating that "KV" alluded to Kivotos (Blue Archive's city) and suggesting a derivative work. While Blue Archive's general producer, Kim Yong-ha, indirectly addressed the controversy by sharing a clarification on X, the overwhelmingly negative response ultimately led to Project KV's cancellation.

Though some expressed disappointment, many viewed the cancellation as a justifiable response to the perceived plagiarism. Dynamis One's future and whether they will learn from this experience remain to be seen.