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 decision follows a significant backlash over the game's striking resemblance to its predecessor, the popular mobile gacha title Blue Archive.
The cancellation announcement, made via X (formerly Twitter) on September 9th, included an apology for the controversy sparked by Project KV's similarities to Blue Archive. Dynamis One acknowledged the concerns and stated that all project materials would be removed from online platforms. The studio expressed regret to fans and promised to strive for higher standards in future endeavors.
Project KV's initial promotional materials, released in August, generated considerable buzz. However, the striking visual and thematic similarities to Blue Archive quickly ignited a firestorm of criticism. Online reactions ranged from disappointment to outright celebration of the project's demise.
The "Red Archive" Controversy
The formation of Dynamis One in April, spearheaded by former Blue Archive lead Park Byeong-Lim, initially raised eyebrows among fans. The subsequent unveiling of Project KV, with its nearly identical art style, music, and core concept—a city inhabited by weapon-wielding female students—fueled accusations of plagiarism.
The presence of a "Master" character echoing Blue Archive's "Sensei," and particularly the halo-like adornments mirroring those in Blue Archive, proved especially contentious. These halos, significant narrative elements in Blue Archive, were seen as a blatant attempt to leverage the original IP's success. Speculation that "KV" was a shortened reference to "Kivotos," Blue Archive's fictional city, further intensified the negative response.
While Blue Archive's general producer, Kim Yong-ha, indirectly addressed the controversy, clarifying the lack of official connection between the two projects, the damage was done.
The overwhelming negative feedback ultimately led to Project KV's cancellation. While some expressed disappointment over its premature end, many viewed the cancellation as a justified response to the perceived plagiarism. The future direction of Dynamis One and whether they will learn from this experience remains to be seen.
