The worldwide Blue Protocol release date brings Bandai Namco's MMORPG to Western audiences, so check out all the latest news and gameplay.
Published: Jun 27, 2024
When is the Blue Protocol release date? The free-to-play game comes hot on the heels of the successes of Genshin Impact and Honkai Star Rail, introduces an MMO angle, and is being developed by Bandai Namco and published by Amazon Games – a recipe for success by anyone’s standards.
Combining aspects from top-of-the-range gacha games, MMO games, and action-adventure games, there are high expectations for Blue Protocol‘s worldwide release, especially given the two massive studios behind it. Our first glimpse of the free-to-play game didn’t disappoint, and we have plenty of gameplay and story details to get you prepped. So, here’s the latest on the Blue Protocol release date outside of Japan.
Blue Protocol release date estimate
The Blue Protocol release date is scheduled for “2024” according to developer Bandai Namco over on the game’s official website. However, recent news that Bandai Namco Online has entered into insolvency may indicate a potential delay into next year. We don’t expect to see it until Q4 2024 at the very earliest.
Bandai Namco Online reported a final loss of 8.2 billion yen at the end of fiscal year March 2024, rendering them insolvent. This is a big leap from their final loss of 3.9 billion the previous year, and may be due to the troubled development of projects like Blue Protocol, which has significantly underperformed following the Japanese version’s launch.
Executive producer Sokichi Shimooka agreed with the sentiment that Blue Protocol’s Japanese version is struggling to retain players in an interview with Famitsu. Director Keisuke Fukuzaki confirmed that the development team was looking closely at player trends to identify the “drop-out points” in the live content. The time spent to implement changes to keep current players engaged may impact Blue Protocol’s worldwide release, though no statement has been forthcoming.
Blue Protocol’s worldwide release was first announced at The Game Awards 2022, with an initial launch window in the second half of 2023. However, Bandai Namco announced a subsequent delay in May 2023 amid their “continued efforts to localize the deeply immersive stories and build the infrastructure needed to engage in multiplayer adventures and massive online raids against towering monsters.”
The anime game released exclusively in Japan on Wednesday, June 14, 2023. PCGamesN spoke to franchise lead Mike Zadorojny concerning the Western version, who explained that “localization is so much more than just translation.” The factors behind the regional delay range from technical to financial differences, and as a result we expect Blue Protocol’s worldwide release to include less content than its Japanese equivalent.
When it finally arrives, Blue Protocol will be available on Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5. There’s been no official announcement that crossplay and cross-progression will be available following the worldwide release date, but Bandai Namco has confirmed that both are under consideration.
Blue Protocol worldwide PC beta
The Blue Protocol closed beta is planned ahead of the release date, and those eager to play outside of Japan can sign up for the chance to participate.
Sign up using an Amazon login here. The most recent closed technical test ended on November 13, 2023, so we don’t expect another one until mid-2024. Selected closed beta participants can expect to receive a welcome email containing instructions to access the technical test build, so keep an eye on your inbox if you can’t wait to jump in.
Blue Protocol story and setting
Thanks to Blue Protocol’s Japanese launch, we’ve got tons of information about the gameplay, characters, and more. As the protagonist, you are on a quest across the planet Regnas to uncover the truth behind your origins and face your destiny.
Set 2,000 years in the future, the world itself is on the brink of destruction thanks to an overreliance on technology, and it’ll take all of your strength to save it. Like any good MMORPG, Blue Protocol is rich in story, and you can expect to devote plenty of hours to building a team of allies to take down the fiercest foes threatening the future of Regnas.
Blue Protocol gameplay
Ahead of the Blue Protocol release date, PCGamesN caught up with publisher Amazon Games to discover the ways in which Blue Protocol isn’t a Genshin Impact clone and how it diversifies from the HoYoverse model to deliver an entirely new experience.
With a strong emphasis on story, Blue Protocol is an MMORPG that can also be enjoyed as a single-player game. According to Blue Protocol’s franchise lead, Mike Zadorojny, “If you just want to go experience the storyline by yourself, it’s something you can totally do.”
That said, there are plenty of opportunities to team up with friends and other online players to tackle classic team mechanics like raids and dungeons. The latter consist of smaller groups of up to six taking on dungeons of varying difficulties, whereas the former offer the rarest rewards in Regnas – so even if you’re enjoying the story by yourself, you might want to team up to take down a boss or two to help buff your character and items.
Unlike other MMORPGs, Blue Protocol has been designed controller-first, presumably due to its roll-out to consoles. Amazon Games assured us that keyboard and mouse will work just fine, but you’ll get a better experience from using a controller.
Blue Protocol trailers
The Blue Protocol announcement trailer debuted at The Game Awards 2022. It features striking visuals and buttery smooth combat over a triumphant orchestral soundtrack. The trailer includes a brief glimpse of the cities, deserts, and other landscapes that comprise Regnas and the cast of characters we can expect to meet along the way.
The Fight for the Future trailer focuses more on the five playable classes at launch, which can traverse the world on mounts or battle powerful foes. This trailer also exemplifies Blue Protocol’s extensive character customization, from hairstyles and outfits to diverse skin colors and facial features like scars, beards, and moles.
Blue Protocol classes
Six Blue Protocol classes will be available come the release date: Blade Warden, Keen Strider, Spell Weaver, Twin Striker, Foe Breaker, and Blitz Lancer. The Beat Performer support class has made its debut in Japan, though there’s no word on whether this will appear in the worldwide version at launch.
Whether you prefer a support, defense, or offense role, you’ll be able to mold your character’s class to suit, unlocking more passive abilities as you progress. You even have the chance to switch classes once you reach a specific level in-game.
If you can’t wait for the worldwide Blue Protocol release date to arrive, be sure to check back regularly for the latest gameplay trailer and updates. In the meantime, there are plenty of free PC games to keep you busy, and many more upcoming PC games are on the horizon.