Project KV was barely canceled when fans rallied behind the creation of a fan-made game bearing an almost similar name. Read on to learn more about this non-profit project driven by the passion of the community.
From the Ashes of Project KV’s Cancellation Rises a Fan-Made Game
Studio Vikundi Surfaces with Project VK
Fresh from the ashes of Project KV’s cancellation, fans have taken matters into their own hands by launching Project VK, a community-driven, non-profit game. On September 8, the same day Project KV was axed, Studio Vikundi surfaced on Twitter (X) with a statement addressing the situation.
The studio’s message reads: "That particular project was indeed an inspiration behind our project. Despite the event, like how a group of responsible adults should, the development team will continue its work on the project as usual without any disruptions. The Studio Vikundi development team will continue our endeavor to meet your expectations."
"Our Project is a non-profit indie game created by dedicated individuals," the studio continued in another post. "It has no connection with Blue Archive or Project KV. Our project was initiated by fans who were disappointed in the Project KV team due to their unprofessional behaviors. Therefore, we promise we will not behave like they did. This project is entirely original and is not a copy of Blue Archive or Project KV; we respect and protect existing copyrights."
Project KV was abruptly canceled on September 8th, following a wave of online criticisms over its striking resemblance to Blue Archive, the project some of its developers worked on while they were in Nexon Games. The allegations of plagiarism ranged from the game’s aesthetics and music to its central concept: a Japanese-style city populated by weapon-wielding female students.
Just a week after the release of its second teaser, Dynamis One took to Twitter (X) to announce the cancellation, expressing their apologies to fans for the controversy. For a deeper dive into Project KV’s cancellation and the backlash that ensued, check out our article below!
Born From Frustration, Project VK Takes Flight with Community Support
Project VK was initially a jest born from a Blue Archive fan’s frustration with Project KV’s visual similarities. Half-jokingly suggesting a competition to see who could finish their game first, the idea quickly gained traction within the community. Overwhelming support from artists to programmers transformed the satirical concept into a full-fledged, volunteer-driven project.
The name "Vikundi," meaning "gathering" or "group" in Swahili, reflects the community’s collaborative spirit. Even now, the studio is still recruiting people, with a second round of recruitment being held through Arca.live.
In a recent post on the aforementioned website, Studio Vikundi outlined a plan for Project VK. The studio confirmed the game will feature a card-battle system, along with releasing concept art showcasing potential characters and music.
While still in early stages, Project VK draws inspiration from various titles, including Tales of Arise, the Fallout series, and even Blue Archive.
Even though Project KV ended up being canceled, Studio Vikundi wants to assure fans that Project VK will still continue. Development on the project is full steam ahead, with the studio promising that fans will be getting regular updates every two weeks via Arca.live. Moreover, the studio also stated that they will be releasing the game’s first promotional video soon.
Source:
Studio Vikundi’s Tweet on Project VK’s Progress on September 8, 2024
Studio Vikundi’s Tweet Regarding Concerns Expressed by the Community on the Project
Project VK’s First Development Progress Update
