Blue Protocol MMORPG Faces Major Delay in Release

Bandai Namco's highly anticipated action MMORPG, Blue Protocol, has faced a delay in its release. The game, which was first unveiled at The Game Awards 2022, is a collaboration between Japanese gaming powerhouse, Bandai Namco Studios, and the emerging AAA publisher, Amazon Games.

Bandai Namco Studios is renowned for developing exceptional titles such as Code Vein, Scarlet Nexus, and Tales of Arise. Fans of these games have been eagerly anticipating Blue Protocol, which is set to offer an online multiplayer experience where players can join forces to complete quests, defeat bosses, and tackle raids. While it may be a departure from the studio's previous focus on story-driven, single-player RPGs, Bandai Namco's reputation for delivering compelling narratives is likely to remain intact with Blue Protocol. Fans of the studio can still expect a high-quality storyline and memorable characters, despite the game's shift to a multiplayer format.

Blue Protocol announced on Twitter that its Japanese release date is set for June 14, but unfortunately, the Western release has been pushed back to 2024 due to localization efforts. However, there is still some good news as the PC closed beta test is still scheduled for later this year, as stated in a post on the game's website.

In addition to Blue Protocol, Bandai Namco Studios is also working on Tekken 8, one of the most highly anticipated fighting games in development. With Mortal Kombat 1 from NetherRealm and Street Fighter 6 from Capcom both set to be released this year, there is pressure on Bandai Namco to deliver an exceptional mainline Tekken experience and keep up with the competition. It may be argued that the focus on Tekken 8 could be a reason for the Western delay of Blue Protocol, but given the support from Bandai Namco Online and over 1,200 employees, it is unlikely that Tekken 8 is diverting development resources away from Blue Protocol.

Blue Protocol's publisher, Amazon Games, has faced challenges in achieving consistent success following the underwhelming launch of New World and the cancellation of a Lord of the Rings MMO a few years ago. However, with the recent triumph of Lost Ark and the announcement of a new Lord of the Rings MMO, Blue Protocol represents an opportunity for Amazon Games to move in the right direction with its publishing endeavors, should it prove successful. Disappointingly, Western fans of Bandai Namco will have to wait until 2024 to immerse themselves in the MMO world of Blue Protocol, which will be available on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S.