Blue Protocol's Epic Anime Rave: A Tribute to Live Services

Bandai Namco's MMORPG Blue Protocol has officially shut down after its final event, a vibrant dance party held in its starting location, Asterliese. With numerous live service games closing down lately, Blue Protocol’s farewell comes as it failed to attract a western audience despite a dedicated player base in Japan. The game's closure included an emotional community gathering where players synchronized their avatars in a four-hour long rave, celebrating the game's unique charm and whimsical music. Following the shutdown, it's revealed that Blue Protocol will supposedly be reincarnated as a new MMORPG named Star Resonance, developed by Tencent-backed Bokura, leaving players with mixed feelings as they say goodbye to Blue Protocol's distinctive gameplay.

The shutdown of Blue Protocol was largely due to its inability to gain traction in the crowded MMORPG market and a lack of significant player engagement in the western territories. While the game had a passionate following in Japan, publishers typically cut losses on games that fail to become profitable live services.

Blue Protocol was designed as an anime-inspired MMORPG featuring rich graphics and an engaging fantasy world. Launched in Japan with high expectations, its anticipated western release through Amazon Games never materialized, leading to its premature end. As the gaming industry faces increasing scrutiny over the longevity of live service titles, Blue Protocol illustrates the challenges developers face in keeping online games viable in a competitive landscape.