Bandai Namco says no refunds as it kills off anime MMO Blue Protocol, but it'll give you 5,000 funbucks a month until it dies

Bandai Namco has declared the end of its anime MMO, Blue Protocol, setting January 18, 2025, as the shutdown date. Discussions with Amazon Games led to the cancellation of planned releases in Europe and the US, disappointing a large contingent of fans waiting for the game. Player reactions reflect frustration, particularly among those who invested money into the game without experiencing the anticipated global launch.

To compensate, Bandai Namco announced players will not be able to get refunds for the in-game currency called Rose Orbs. However, existing players will receive 5,000 Rose Orbs monthly from September until the game's closure in January 2025. Additionally, a free battle pass will be available for players to use until the end.

The decision to end the game was influenced by various challenges, including player retention issues. Executive producer Sokichi Shimooka, in an interview with Famitsu, pointed out that significant resources were redirected to understand why players were leaving. The recent developments mark a disappointing end for a game that had promised a unique blend of anime and MMO experiences.