Table of Contents
Release Date | June 14, 2023 |
Developer | BANDAI NAMCO Online Inc, BANDAI NAMCO Studios |
Platform | PlayStation 5, Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X and Series S |
Of all the upcoming MMORPGs on the horizon, few have garnered as much hype and anticipation as Blue Protocol. Developed by Bandai Namco and published by Amazon Games, this anime-inspired online RPG aims to captivate players with its gorgeous visuals, action-packed combat, and seemingly endless customization.
As we draw closer to its eventual release date, more details have steadily emerged about what we can expect from Blue Protocol’s magical world of Regnas. While an exact launch is still unconfirmed, beta testing phases should help give us a better idea of when servers will officially go live.
Blue Protocol Release Date and Global Launch Plans
Blue Protocol has already seen a full launch in Japan, arriving on June 14th, 2023, after years of alphas and closed betas. Western fans are still eagerly awaiting word on an international rollout timeline.
In an interview last November, Blue Protocol franchise lead Mike Zadorojny stated that the developers are aiming for a Blue Protocol global release date at some point in 2024. However, he also cautioned that localization is an extensive process with many hurdles to clear.
The game will eventually make its way to Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 platforms, complete with controller-focused playability. So those on PC won’t have to worry about competing against superior control schemes. Cross-progression and cross-play also appear to be on the table, increasing Blue Protocol’s versatility across devices.
Considering the radio silence since last year from the devs though, it’s best not to view 2024 as a strict deadline. Past estimates have proven unreliable, so fans will simply need to hang tight for more definitive launch confirmations. If we have any other update on the Blue Protocol worldwide release date, we will share it here.
Eager warriors who want to get some early practice before the main launch event can attempt to participate in future beta tests and technical trials. While details remain scarce, you can sign up for a chance at early access by creating an account through Amazon.
The most recent closed beta period for Blue Protocol ended in November 2023, meaning the next one likely won’t kick off for several more months at least. Beta testers granted entry will receive a notification email with instructions on installation and content scheduling.
If you aren’t chosen for early inclusion, take heart in knowing that progress during beta phases won’t directly carry over to the live game. You aren’t missing out on too much by having to wait until the full rollout. Just be sure to register ASAP once sign-ups begin again.
Learning More About Blue Protocol Classes
One aspect that should feel instantly familiar to anime MMORPG fans is the emphasis on Blue Protocol character creation and customization. You first choose from one of five main classes – Blade Warden, Keen Strider, Spell Weaver, Twin Striker, and Foe Breaker. Each fits a typical fantasy archetype like knight, ranger, mage, etc.
From there, you have extensive control over cosmetic details like hair style and color, facial features, body markings, and accessories. Few games in this genre can match the in-depth tools for crafting your perfect self-insert hero.
You aren’t even locked permanently to any one class. As you gain experience and progress through the story, avenues open to essentially switch classes while retaining your original character. This should help encourage ongoing experimentation rather than feeling pidgeon-holed.
For a deeper breakdown of starting jobs and specs, be sure to check our Blue Protocol classes guide once available.
Navigating Common errors
As with any massive online-only game release, launch week is bound to come with its fair share of bugs and connection issues. Already we’ve seen multiple service outages during Japanese beta testing. So global fans will need to brace themselves for similar stability hiccups.
The most reported error so far for Blue Protocol is the simple Server Connection Failed notification. Usually Try again or wait a while fixes these temporary crashes as logging volumes decrease from initial launch peaks.
However, Blue Protocol Error 102 seems especially pesky, continually booting players mid-session with little useful advice on resolutions. From what details the devs have provided, this bug stems from discrepancies between actual gear data and what the servers think you have equipped.
Workarounds for Error 102 include:
1. Unequipping all gear before logging off then re-equipping after restarting
2. Storing gear in vault chests rather than character inventories
3. Avoiding gear swaps during peak traffic periods
So, with any luck, upcoming patches before launch will eliminate this gear ghost data issue entirely. But in the meantime, use the steps above to minimize wasted farming and lost bonuses.
What We Know So Far About Blue Protocol’s Story
Bandai Namco has kept much of Blue Protocol’s overarching narrative tightly guarded. We know that players take on the role of a hero with partial amnesia, stranded alone in the world under mysterious circumstances.
Piecing together fractured memories reveals that Blue Protocol takes place 2000 years in Regnas’ future, following a cataclysmic technological disaster that threatens reality itself. Our character joins other warriors who take up arms to restore balance across the land.
Despite story details remaining obscure, one given proves universally true of any anime-inspired game – expect plenty of melodrama, impossible bosses that only our hero can defeat, and inner conflicts between rational science vs spirituality.
Also anticipate completely forgettable filler quests like gathering random monster drops ad nauseum. We get teased with a taste of epic adventure, only to wind up slumming it like a delivery boy. But again, such is the life of a rising anime legend!
Blue Protocol’s Vibrant Environments & Open World
Regardless of whatever fetch side tasks populate your adventure, the vibrant world built around Blue Protocol’s gameplay still deserves appreciated. Bandai Namco leverages cutting edge graphical engines to render expansive landscapes filled with tiny atmospheric details that entice wandering travelers.
Between the idyllic country sides and regal magic cities, players can explore on foot or ride mounts across sprawling plains. Dynamic weather, shifting day/night cycles, and populating wildlife all help these alien lands feel alive with purpose instead of just pretty backdrops.
While structured like traditional theme parks with distinct zones divided by borders, the maps themselves provide a sense of underlying coherence to Regnas’ different biomes. You get rewarded for venturing off main roads to uncover hidden chests, remote shrines, etc.
Endgame zones also forego questing altogether with randomized world events to keep late-game content feeling fresh after each relog.
What Type of PvE Content is Planned?
At the moment, Blue Protocol focuses mainly on PvE group content without mentioning any PvP features down the line. Players can expect the usual lineup of dungeons, raids, and world bosses to defeat using coordinated team builds.
Most dungeons include adaptive difficulty scaling depending on squad size, meaning any class combo can complete them regardless of roles. Gear score caps then determine entry requirements into late game raid tiers rather than trying to balance classes.
A major PvE hook comes from the Arenas, special zones with endless waves of enemies to defeat across participating servers. Ranked leaderboards determine victors based on speed and score thresholds.
Depending on Blue Protocol’s post-launch popularity, we may eventually see battlegrounds or arenas for faction based PvP scrums added. But for now, Bandai Namco wants players focused on cooperation against NPCs given the sheer PvE scope already planned.
Blue Protocol Monetization Concerns
The million-dollar question hanging over Blue Protocol’s appeal remains its monetization model. As a free-to-play service, in-game transactions inevitably feature as an incentive for the developers. And many fans worry over how aggressive said system will turn out.
Most itemization comes down to cosmetics without causing pay-to-win imbalances though. The two announced premium currencies so far simply provide access to cosmetic outfit unlocks alongside loot boxes. Duplicate items then convert into alternate coins that BUY said boxes.
Now this type of cyclical currency still causes plenty of frustration for those adverse to most Gacha mechanics. But again, with no power tied to gear via money, whales can’t ruin general progression flow. Just brace yourself for plenty of colorful costume temptations.
Getting Your Bearings – Controls and User Interface
Jumping into any new MMO, especially one as densely packed with things to do like Blue Protocol, can feel instantly overwhelming. Learning to navigate sub-menus, configurable UI elements, skill hot bars, and other gameplay systems takes time even for veterans.
Thankfully, Blue Protocol offers extensive options for tweaking your HUD layout to best suit your personal playstyle right from the start. You can enable controller support for console-style inputs, simplified actions tray for new players, and advanced modifier key binds for keyboard warriors min-maxing every ability.
The default control scheme centers around familiar WASD movement with auto-attacks supplementing activated skills on short timers or resource costs. However, players can enable hybrid tap/hold functions to blend mobile action combat with traditional tab-targeting too.
No need to rush learning every possible input either. Early story beats and side activities play as extended tutorials to slowly acclimate you to operating your heroic character. Later tips pop up dynamically based on your current task as well.
With a bit of tinkering in the settings menus, Blue Protocol’s interface morphs to whatever form best enables jumping, slashing, and spell-casting your way through Regnas.
Crafting and Profession Systems
What adventurer’s journey would feel complete without beneficial crafting skills to aid your valiant exploits? Blue Protocol incorporates harvesting, refining, and crafting as supplementary loops for enterprising warriors seeking every advantage.
You first gather basic resources like ore, fish, lumber, and herbs through corresponding minigames while exploring then process materials into enhanced components. These feed into recipes for equipment, consumables, and accessories with random bonus stats.
Special work order writs also get issued daily, rewarding crafting job advancement for completing requested projects. You might craft gear for specific class specs or fulfill ingredient quotas needing stocked.
Later on, dedicated estate housing offers personal workshops with customizable furniture providing added productivity bonuses. Display weapon racks show off rare crafts to guests or store mass quantities far beyond backpack limits.
Aside from combat gear, professions also create dyes, furniture, mounts, emotes, imagery collectibles and more. Nearly every aspect of Blue Protocol ties back to some craftable enhancement awaiting your master crafter’s touch!
Blue Protocol on Mobile Devices and Future Platforms
No official announcements currently point to any mobile versions in active development. However, given the control scheme and graphical optimizations possible for Blue Protocol’s anime rendering engine, a smartphone port feels like an inevitability.
Seeing as cross-play already factors into launch plans across Xbox and PlayStation, syncing progress on phones or tablets would take minimal effort too. Dedicated mobile clients would solve any performance issues stemming from streaming also.
Plus, this simplifies bringing Blue Protocol to emerging services like Nvidia GeForce Now or Google Stadia. Tap controls suit the fast-paced hunting and collection mechanics perfectly during downtime between PC access.
If (let’s face it – WHEN) pocket versions manifest, just don’t expect parity with console/PC content updates. Monetization likely gets amplified greatly on Android and iOS platforms too. But that’s the price we pay for staying connected to friends and guilds on the go.
Look to similar titles like Genshin Impact or Tower of Fantasy as benchmarks for how robust Blue Protocol could feel even without a keyboard or controller handy!
Is Blue Protocol Worth the Hype?
Following years of rumors and speculation, Blue Protocol now sits poised for global release as the possible new gold standard for anime MMORPGs. With a few more localization hurdles and stability patches crossed off, this perfectly encapsulates the kind of expansive online adventure fans love to obsess over.
Check on electronic first blog for more updates as launch day draws near. When the game is released worldwide, will also be sharing additional information about Blue Protocol Price. You can find the best prices for the game as soon as it is available at Electronic First’s online storefront.
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