Summary
Blue Protocol, Bandai Namco’s canceled MMORPG, is coming back to life asStar Resonance. Despite a positive reception, the original MMO struggled to gain the player base necessary to justify its continued development and support. While that was disappointing for many fans,Blue Protocolwon’t disappear forever, as a spinoff-turned-spiritual successor is taking its place soon.
Bandai Namco announcedit was shutting downBlue Protocolin August 2024, giving players until January 2025 to enjoy the title before servers go offline. The MMO had yet to see a release outside of Japan before the news came, but now players who didn’t get the chance to try the original may have another shot at exploring the world of Regnas.Star Resonance, which started as a mobile spinoff ofBlue Protocol,is still in the works and is nearing an initial release.
Bokura, a Chinese developer, had previously announced a collaboration with Bandai Namco, saying it was working on another story set inBlue Protocol’s world of Regnas. Now, that project has started to take shape with the unveiling ofStar Resonance.As the initial announcement stated, the game is set in the same world asBlue Protocolbut follows new characters and an original story. While it’s not the original game, it’s still a promising update for fans, some of whom believedBlue Protocolcould be Amazon’s first big gaming success, especially since many didn’t get to experience Regnas in the first place.
Star Resonance Could Succeed Where Blue Protocol Failed
It’s unclear whenStar Resonancewill launch, but Bokura is currently running a closed beta test in China, which will end in late December 2024. Some original team members fromBlue Protocolare also working on the project, which could help it become a truer spiritual successor to Bandai Namco’s ill-fated MMO. While it’s still in development, early signs are promising. The pivot to include mobile support could help the game reach a bigger audience. Other MMOs have seen considerable success in going that route, withGenshin Impactbeing one of the best free PC gamesavailable today.
It’s also worth noting that Bokura is a Tencent-backed studio. Tencent is a massive conglomerate with deep ties to the video game industry. There are rumors thatUbisoft is considering a buyout to Tencentif that’s any indication of the kind of resources at the company’s disposal. Having the support of such a major industry powerhouse could helpStar Resonanceweather its initial release whereBlue Protocolfailed to manage the costs. For now, fans will have to wait and see what becomes of the game and its eventual release.
Blue Protocol
WHERE TO PLAY
An Epic Journey Through Time: You are on a quest to uncover the truth about your origins. On your travels you meet people from many worlds and make new friends with whom you share your adventures. Eventually, you find yourself facing an inescapable destiny that will determine the fate of planet Regnas.Action-Packed Combat: It doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner or an advanced player, the action-based combat system features simple controls that are customizable and able to match any playstyle.Deep Customization: Become your ideal self: choose your facial appearance, hairstyle, clothes, accessories, weapons, and mounts for a combination that’s uniquely your personal style.Multiplayer Adventure: Work together as a team with other players to tackle quests, fight boss battles, and engage in massive online raids against towering monsters.
