Blue Protocol is due out in early spring in Japan and will be released first on PC (and only then on consoles). This is what the developer announced as part of its livestream of yesterday, also evoking the economic model, the personalization of avatars or certain parts of gameplay.
As we know, the release of Blue Protocol in Japan is planned for next spring, preceded by a beta phase in January. In anticipation of this launch process, the Japanese online game development team yesterday organized a long livestream aimed in particular at specifying the terms of release.
First of all, we note that in Japan, Blue Protocol will launch on PC first (at “early next spring”) and that the versions PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series will only come later, at an undetermined date. The developer is also considering cross-play and cross-platform options, but they have not yet been formally decided on – they will obviously depend on the enthusiasm of the players.
Blue Protocol’s business model in Japan
What then of the economic model? We know it, Bandai Namco opted for a free-to-play offer (justifying that the game is distributed exclusively online, and not in a box version). To finance the exploitation of the game, Bandai Namco mentions a shop of objects allowing both to personalize the appearance of his character (cosmetic objects) and to shorten certain activities of the game (to progress faster?). Obviously, the currency of the shop should be “pink orbs”, a currency that can be bought but can also be earned in game.
Bandai Namco is obviously also planning the integration of seasonal passes : every 50 or 60 days, a pass of 100 levels will be offered to players. The first 60 levels can be unlocked for free, the next 40 will be integrated into a paid version ( once more to be unlocked with “pink orbs” to buy or accumulate in game). The developer does not detail the content of the pass but clearly evokes consumables and cosmetic objects.
For the record, Blue Protocol will be distributed in the West by Amazon Games. At this stage, it is still unclear whether the Western operator will take over the economic model of the Japanese version or whether it will be adapted for the Western market.
Avatar Customization
The developer also mentioned several other features, particularly related to character customization.
- The game will incorporate a beauty salon » allowing you to modify the appearance of your hero, with options regularly added with updates;
- And dye system will make it possible to personalize the equipment of the characters (by modifying the color but also texture effects): certain outfits can be dyed, others not; some dyes will be easily won in game, others will be paid for but can be obtained in the context of one-off events;
- We know that the game integrates a photo mode allowing a character to immortalize memories (the option was already present in beta), but this photo mode now allows members of a group, or even a” title=”
Guild
Perennial association of players brought together by a common interest under the same banner. Guilds can have a commercial, military, political, social or other purpose depending on the MMOG. In addition to the natural mutual aid between guild members, belonging to a guild can provide various bonuses or advantages (resource sharing, guild bonuses in the event of victory in combat, etc.).
“>guild to pose collectively;
- And theater style will also make it possible to review certain memorable cinematic sequences from the life of the character;
- The game also offers a group search option to facilitate… the formation of groups of players, for example to complete a mission. There is an option to open the search to all players or to launch a private group search, accessible only to players of the group ID.
- In Blue Protocol, a “team” system acts as a guild allowing players to gather and exchange on a specific chat. Eventually, team-specific content might be developed.
Gameplay Features
The developer also took advantage of the stream to also sketch some sections of” title=”
Gameplay
English term difficult to translate designating both the set of rules governing the game and the pleasure of the game. An MMOG with innovative gameplay will offer a unique gaming experience to the player. Similarly, a game claiming “good gameplay” will be fun and engaging.
“>gameplay.
- Blue Protocol will integrate a fishing system (a mini-game). For now, caught fish can only be sold (they cannot be used for crafts or cooking for example), but more concrete uses might be envisaged in the future;
- In the areas of the game world, the characters will be able to find camps where to rest and restore their hit points. Camps are also seen as places of socialization to find comrades in arms;
- Areas of the game world will also house Happy Napposstealthy rabbit-like creatures that grant rewards and achievements to players who find them;
- The game also incorporates several Infinite Towers », these dungeons in which the players must clear a” title=”
Level
The “level” of a character symbolizes its degree of expertise. When created, the character starts at level 1 and accumulates experience (see this term) to increase in level. The higher the level, the more powerful the character and has various skills.
“>level thematic before moving on to the next, and whose difficulty and rewards gradually increase;
- And weapon upgrade system will… improve equipment: some monsters will obviously drop components that improve certain effects of magic weapons.