What is the Blue Protocol release date? The free-to-play game comes hot on the heels of the JRPG successes of Genshin Impact and Tower of Fantasy, adds an MMO angle, and is being developed by Bandai Namco, which sounds like a recipe for success.
Combining aspects from the best Genshin-like JRPG games, MMO games, and action-adventure games, there are high expectations for Blue Protocol – especially given the two massive studios behind it. Our first glimpse of the free-to-play game didn’t disappoint, and we have info on a new class. So when is the Blue Protocol release date, and what do we know about the game so far?
Blue Protocol release date
The Blue Protocol release date was Wednesday, June 14, 2023, in Japan. Bandai Namco has confirmed that the Blue Protocol release date window will now be in 2024 for the rest of the world.
When it finally arrives, Blue Protocol will be available on Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5, so unlike a lot of other MMORPGs, Blue Protocol will be available on next-gen consoles. We’ve no confirmation yet about whether crossplay or cross-progression will be available.
Blue Protocol worldwide PC beta
Ahead of the release date, there’s a Blue Protocol closed beta planned for those eager to play outside of Japan, and you can sign up now to be included.
Sign up using an Amazon login here. There is no set date for the closed beta yet, but it is scheduled for later in 2023.
Blue Protocol story and setting
In lieu of a release date, we do have plenty of information about the gameplay, characters, and more. Firstly, Blue Protocol takes place on planet Regnas 2,000 years in the future, where the world is in a state of conflict and must be saved by you and your allies. Like any good MMORPG, Blue Protocol is rich in story, allowing you to spend hours in the fictional world as you seek to uncover the “dark secret” looming over Regnas. You can start to explore Regnas in the new Welcome to Regnas video above.
Blue Protocol gameplay
With a strong emphasis on story, Blue Protocol will be an MMORPG that can be played single-player. 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.” It’s still an MMO though, so there will be plenty of opportunities to team up with friends and other online players to tackle classic team mechanics like raids and dungeons.
Unlike other MMORPGs, Blue Protocol has been designed controller-first, presumably because of the roll-out to consoles. Amazon Games assured us that keyboard and mouse will work just fine but that you’ll get a better experience from using a controller.
Gameplay footage
In December 2022, the first gameplay footage was revealed in a ten-minute video shared on Gematsu’s Youtube channel. The combat looks smooth, and the art style is simply gorgeous, so we’re looking forward to playing it ourselves.
In the meantime, Blue Protocol’s “action-heavy combat” can be seen in the Regnas trailer above, but this gameplay video gives us ten full minutes of gameplay, showcasing just a few of the unique and fantastical bosses you’ll come up against on this strange planet. The clip also introduces us to some of the cities, deserts, and other landscapes that make up Regnas, the adorable mounts you’ll be riding into combat, and whatever this effortlessly cute thing is…
Character creation
The gameplay video also gives us a sneak peek at the character customization options, which include a multitude of hairstyles and colors and intricate tuning options for your skin and eyes, allowing you to make as unique a character as possible – and the anime character you always wished you could be.
Classes
So far, we know six classes will be available come the Blue Protocol release date: Aegis Fighter, Twin Striker, Blast Archer, Spellcaster, Blitz Lancer, and Heavy Smasher. Despite seemingly being restricted to these five classes, Blue Protocol has a “deep character customization experience” that goes beyond aesthetics and allows you to build a character using specific skills.
Whether you’re used to playing in a support, defense, or offense role in these sorts of games, you’ll be able to mold your character to suit, unlocking more passive abilities as you progress, and even have the chance to switch classes once you reach a specific level in-game. For more on what we know about the five classes so far, take a look at our Blue Protocol classes guide.
Raids
Raids will offer the biggest multiplayer experience in Blue Protocol, with large groups of players taking on the toughest of bosses. Raids are where you will unlock some of the rarest rewards in Regnas, so even if you’re enjoying the story by yourself, you might want to team up to take down an epic raid boss or two to help buff your character and items.
Dungeons
Similarly, we know that dungeons will be a huge part of Blue Protocol, with smaller groups of up to six taking on dungeons of varying difficulties. That’s all we know about dungeons so far, but we can imagine they will take on the usual MMORPG dungeon format with that anime twist.
Blue Protocol pre-registration rewards
Alongside the announcement of its release date, we were also informed that bonuses, gifts, and in-game currency will be made available by pre-registering. Sign up via the game’s website to receive Battle Imagines and to be in with a chance to win an Amazon voucher worth 1,000 yen.
So we already know much about when to expect from the Blue Protocol release date, which only heightens our anticipation. While we wait, we’ll keep an eye out for more gameplay details and trailers, but there are plenty of other anime games or free PC games to keep you busy. We also got a chance to speak to Amazon Games about the new MMO, and while we’ve made the connection a few times, they made it clear why Blue Protocol isn’t Genshin Impact, and how it offers an entirely new experience.
