Bandai Namco’s canceled MMORPG Blue Protocol returns as Star Resonance

Bandai Namco’s completed MMORPG Blue Protocol has been given a new lifeline thanks to Tencent-funded developer Bokura.

In late August, Bandai Namco announced plans to shut down the servers of its anime MMORPG Blue Protocol in Japan and canceled its release in the West altogether, saying it was “impossible to provide a service that satisfies all of you.”

However, Blue Protocol has now reincarnated as Star Resonance, and some of its original development team have joined the new team in Bokur. While the game is set in the same world as Blue Protocol’s Regnas, the team stated that Star Resonance players can expect revamped gameplay and storyline.

And it seems that Bokura has also taken up the cause. A closed beta is already planned for players on Android and PC devices, but unfortunately it is only available to Chinese players for now.

There is no exact release date yet in China, Japan or beyond. Blue Protocol servers are scheduled to shut down on January 18, 2025 (thanks, Automaton).

Last year, Ed began developing Blue Protocol, which would be Amazon Games’ next big MMO, following games like Lost Ark and New World. However, he was concerned about whether the game could differentiate itself from its key competitors.