Blue Protocol Is Shutting Down And Its Global Team Shuffled To Other Amazon Projects

The gaming community was taken by surprise last week when Bandai Namco Online and Amazon Games announced the shutdown of Blue Protocol and the cancellation of its global release. Despite the grim news, Amazon has assured fans that developers working on the game’s global version will not face layoffs but will instead transition to other projects within the company.

The closure of Blue Protocol might have come as a surprise to some, but others likely saw it coming given the problems that had been brewing at Bandai Namco. Earlier this year, the Japanese video game publisher declared financial insolvency, raising doubts about the game's future. The prolonged silence from both Bandai Namco and Amazon Games on the status of Blue Protocol only fueled the speculation, making the decision to pull the plug seem inevitable. A mere year after its launch, Blue Protocol joins the list of promising MMOs that didn’t make it to a full global audience.

In an industry frequently marred by layoffs over the past few years, it’s refreshing to hear that the Blue Protocol team won’t just be given the boot. An Amazon Games spokesperson confirmed that developers will be reassigned to other upcoming projects, ensuring that their talents continue to be utilized. “All members of the Blue Protocol team will have new roles at Amazon Games,” the spokesperson said, quelling concerns about job security for the team members.

This move comes at a time when the gaming industry has been grappling with widespread layoffs, including major players like Bungie and Microsoft. Amazon itself hasn’t been immune, having laid off 180 employees last year. The decision to retain the Blue Protocol team is a hopeful sign amidst these challenging times.

What lies ahead for Blue Protocol’s Franchise Lead, Mike Zadorojny, remains to be seen. With Amazon preparing to launch Throne and Liberty and New World: Aeternum in October, along with ongoing development for its Lord of the Rings MMO, Zadorojny’s expertise will undoubtedly be a valuable asset. Amazon has yet to clarify his next role, but given their portfolio, there are plenty of opportunities on the horizon.

While Blue Protocol might be ending its journey, its developers are gearing up for new adventures, bringing their experience and creativity to Amazon’s other gaming projects. Meanwhile, Bandai Namco plans to keep the Japanese servers running until January 18, 2025.