Weakly started in Japan and postponed for Korea: In the Asian region, Blue Protocol is currently struggling with problems. How Bandai Namco plans to turn things around has been revealed by the developers in a three-hour long stream.
What is the current status of Blue Protocol? The anime MMORPG from Bandai Namco was originally supposed to be released in 2023 in the West for Steam, Xbox Series, and Playstation 5, with Amazon Games as the publisher. In May 2023, the western version was postponed to 2024. The Bandai Namco representatives stated that they want to release the MMORPG first in Japan.
The Japan launch took place in the summer of 2023, but the game fell short of expectations there. In May 2024, publisher Smilegate announced that they would put the planned launch in Korea for 2024 on hold for the time being. The German website has seen silence since November 2023.
What are Bandai Namco’s plans? A few days ago, the developers of Blue Protocol addressed the community in a more than three-hour long stream to detail how they intend to turn things around positively (via YouTube). The key insights from the stream:
- An update is expected to deliver new areas, a higher maximum level, fresh dungeons, and additional story content. In one of the then accessible regions, there is also to be a new capital that will serve as a hub.
- A housing feature is planned for Blue Protocol, but no details are available yet.
- Additional movement maneuvers for the different class actions are planned.
- A new quality system will be introduced for weapons. The peacekeepers can drop in normal, rare, or legendary quality. Rare and legendary finds offer special passive bonuses (like some self-healing after a perfect dodge).
- A new, very difficult endgame content named “God’s Battlefield” is coming, where players can earn the recipe for a special weapon skin.
- For the existing dungeons, there will be another endgame variant with a high difficulty level and random variables, offering a slightly different gameplay experience.
- New endgame content number 3 is called “Valiant Arena” and challenges heroes in an arena challenge against several boss enemies.
- For the cities, there will be additional mini-games, such as a kind of hide and seek and a beach volleyball game.
- A gacha-like system for cosmetic skins is to be implemented, but the participation tickets can only be earned in-game.
- The season pass will receive comprehensive changes. It is expected to be cheaper, easier to master completely, and it will no longer be possible to earn the so-called “Battle-Imajin” through the paid season pass (these are souls of creatures that assist you in battle).
- Speaking of “Battle-Imajin”: An awakened version is expected, through which you can temporarily summon powerful dragons.
With these points, Bandai addresses some of the most urgent issues facing the Japanese version of Blue Protocol. Furthermore, the developers promise many small adjustments (such as more emotes that can be used while sitting) and bug fixes for issues that have existed since the launch. However, there was no update regarding the release in the West.
What do I need to know about Blue Protocol? At first glance, Blue Protocol may seem like a typical Asian MMORPG with a free-to-play model. However, the online action role-playing game places an unusually strong focus on story presentation and PvE challenges for solo players, small groups, and 30-player raids.
Additionally, the colorful cel-shading style makes Blue Protocol feel like an interactive anime. And if Alexander Leitsch is to be believed, who spent several hours watching the Japanese version last year, there is also much potential in terms of gameplay – I played Blue Protocol and say: This will be the best MMORPG of the last 9 years
