Project KV, a visual novel developed by former Blue Archive creators at Dynamis One, has been canceled following significant backlash over its striking resemblance to its predecessor. The game, announced with considerable fanfare, quickly became embroiled in controversy due to its numerous similarities to Nexon Games' Blue Archive.

Dynamis One's Apology and Project Cancellation

On September 9th, Dynamis One issued a public apology on Twitter (X), acknowledging the negative reaction and concerns regarding Project KV's similarities to Blue Archive. The studio stated that the project was canceled to avoid further issues and expressed regret to fans who had supported the project. All online materials related to Project KV have been removed. The studio concluded by promising to strive for greater success in future endeavors.

The Rapid Rise and Fall of Project KV

Project KV's initial promotional video, released August 18th, showcased a fully voiced story prologue and introduced the development team. A second teaser, released two weeks later, provided a closer look at characters and storyline. However, the project was abruptly canceled just a week after the second teaser's release. While the cancellation may be disappointing to some, many online celebrated the decision.

"Red Archive": Accusations of Plagiarism and a Striking Resemblance

The formation of Dynamis One in April by former Blue Archive developers, including Park Byeong-Lim, initially raised eyebrows among the Blue Archive fanbase. However, the unveiling of Project KV ignited a firestorm. Fans immediately pointed out numerous similarities, ranging from the game's aesthetic and music to its core concept: a city populated by weapon-wielding female students, strikingly reminiscent of Blue Archive.

The presence of a "Master" character, analogous to Blue Archive's "Sensei," and the use of halo-like adornments on characters, mirroring those in Blue Archive, further fueled the controversy. These halos, significant narrative elements in Blue Archive, were particularly contentious, leading to accusations of plagiarism and the perception that Project KV was a derivative work. The speculated connection between "KV" and "Kivotos," the fictional city in Blue Archive, and the nickname "Red Archive" solidified these claims.

Clarification and the Aftermath

While Kim Yong-ha, Blue Archive's general producer, indirectly addressed the controversy by sharing a fan post clarifying the lack of direct connection between the two projects, the negative response ultimately led to Project KV's cancellation. Dynamis One's decision, while not detailing specific reasons, was widely viewed as a justified response to the allegations of plagiarism. The future direction of Dynamis One and whether they will learn from this experience remains to be seen.