Blue Protocol announced it was releasing on PC and current-gen consoles in 2023, though the exact timing of each platform was given a little bit more clarity. Per Famitsu, the PC version will release first in 2023, with console versions coming sometime later.
The news initially comes from Japanese outlet Famitsu (reported by Siliconera) that while the PC version of Blue Protocol will be released in Spring 2023, the announced Xbox Series S|X and PlayStation 5 versions will be coming sometime later on.
The news is thanks to a recent content dump by developer Bandai Namco Online, where the studio not only talked about release timing, but some of the monetization strategies for the MMO, cross-play possibilities, and more.
The Famitsu report states that while the PC version is releasing first, Bandai Namco isn't ruling out potential cross-play with consoles when they do release. However, no decision was announced on whether it would or would not be in the MMO.
The Famitsu article also talks monetization model, reaffirming that Blue Protocol would be releasing as a free-to-play MMO. We first reported that news during The Game Awards in our interview with Blue Protocol franchise lead Mike Zadorojny as Amazon announced it would be publishing the MMO here in the West. However, the Japanese outlet talked a bit about how that monetization in-game might work, detailing that the MMO would have microtransactions that are cosmetic, but also those that will boost the player themselves. Siliconera also states that the items could "shorten game time."
As we reported last Friday, Blue Protocol will also have a free and paid season pass, and that the upcoming Japanese network test has seen over 50K applicants. Zadorojny in our interview earlier this month confirmed that the West would also be seeing closed beta testing this year, though exact timing hasn't been announced.
Blue Protocol is finally releasing this year after years of speculation and hype, bringing the anime-inspired MMO from Bandai Namco to PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles this year. While the release will happen first in Japan and Asia, Amazon Games is set to publish the MMO in the West in the second half of 2023.
