Project KV Scrapped Amidst Criticism Over Similarities

Former Blue Archive Developers Cancel Project KV Amidst Plagiarism Accusations

Dynamis One, a studio founded by ex-Blue Archive developers, has scrapped its upcoming visual novel, Project KV, following a backlash over its striking resemblance to its predecessor. The game, initially generating considerable buzz, quickly became embroiled in controversy due to its uncanny similarities to Nexon Games' Blue Archive.

The cancellation, announced on September 9th via X (formerly Twitter), included an apology from Dynamis One for the resulting turmoil. The studio acknowledged concerns regarding the game's similarities and emphasized its commitment to avoiding such issues in the future. All Project KV related materials have been removed online.

Project KV's initial promotional video (August 18th) and a subsequent teaser (two weeks later) showcased its story, characters, and art style. However, the project's abrupt cancellation, a week after the second teaser, surprised many. While the developers likely feel the sting of this setback, online reaction has been largely celebratory.

"Red Archive" Controversy

The establishment of Dynamis One in April, led by former Blue Archive lead Park Byeong-Lim and other key developers, initially raised eyebrows among Blue Archive fans. The subsequent reveal of Project KV ignited a firestorm. Fans quickly pointed out numerous similarities, from aesthetics and music to the core concept: a city populated by weapon-wielding female students.

The inclusion of a "Master" character, echoing Blue Archive's "Sensei," and the use of halo-like adornments, mirroring those in Blue Archive, further fueled the controversy. These halos, significant narrative symbols in Blue Archive, were a major point of contention, with many accusing Project KV of blatant imitation and plagiarism. The nickname "Red Archive," a supposed antithetical counterpart to "Blue Archive," even emerged online.

While Blue Archive's general producer, Kim Yong-ha, indirectly addressed the controversy via a fan account clarifying Project KV's lack of official connection to Blue Archive, the negative feedback proved insurmountable.

The overwhelming negative response ultimately led to Project KV's cancellation. While some may lament the lost potential, many view the cancellation as a justifiable consequence of the perceived plagiarism. The future direction of Dynamis One remains uncertain.