Of the plethora of titles announced at The Game Awards 2022, there were a few that truly stood out. The emergence ofHades 2,Ken Levine’s next adventureJudas, and a follow-up to Kojima’sDeath Strandingtopped the show, but a trailer forBlue Protocolseemed to thoroughly satisfy fans of MMORPGs. It is Amazon Games next outing, but this time will look to learn from the mistakes ofNew WorldandLost Arkby collaborating with industry titan Bandai Namco. To really succeed, it should learn not just from Amazon’s own missteps, but also from MMOs that have excelled in the genre likeFinal Fantasy 14.
There are plenty of successful MMORPGs thatBlue Protocolcould look to for inspiration and guidance, but Bandai Namco’s tendency to lean into Japanese video game stereotypes, as well as its anime-ish art style means it is perhaps best served taking cues fromFinal Fantasy 14. It’s not clear if the title will more closely resemble this Square Enix product or other games likeGenshin ImpactorGuild Wars 2, butFinal Fantasydoes enough right to transcend the genre. Amazon is still a new kid on the block, andBlue Protocolcould be the company’s much-needed big hit if handled well.
RELATED:Final Fantasy 14: Who is Golbez?
Blue Protocol Needs to Have a Story to Remember
Art style thatmimics theTalesfranchiseandThe Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steelwould imply story is going to be a high priority forBlue Protocol. The project has to take advantage of its strong character models and populated environments by not neglecting the effectiveness of a great narrative, even in the MMO genre. There have been many online-centric titles that think it’s adequate to present a half-hearted story in favor of other elements, butFinal Fantasy 14showed that a game can lean heavily on MMO mechanics while also forging a journey that is memorable as any other game in the longstanding series.
Tales that are told in eachFinal Fantasy 14expansionmake the game feel like it wouldn’t be out of place if it was an entirely single-player affair. When such chapters are woven together,Final Fantasy 14feels like a grand saga filled with wonderful character development, high stakes, and some genuinely heartfelt moments. It’s at the center of the game’s charm, but at no point do the online elements take a backseat. Players can experience the game as they choose, and giving those who playBlue Protocola strong story to follow or lose interest in would only add to its chances at success.
Final Fantasy 14 Builds a Fantastic Community
Final Fantasy 14is not just one of the best stories in the MMO genre, butEorzea is also a lovely place to be, due in-part because of the fantastic community that occupies the servers. Systems are in place to make the game feel welcoming, including a dedicated community finder and a subtle icon by new players' names to show that they are just beginning their adventure. People are accommodating to newbies and rarely do tensions boil over in the game’s chat. Online titles are notoriously prickly, butFinal Fantasy 14is as friendly as it gets, which is something thatBlue Protocolcould replicate.
Blue Protocol’s free-to-play formatmeans that Amazon surely wants it to stay relevant and populated for years to come, and that would dwindle significantly if the game isn’t a nice place to traverse. MMOs mean throwing people of all backgrounds together, and this can easily result in unwarranted toxicity. Amazon and Bandai Namco can’t choose who plays their game, but they can implement structures to ensure thatBlue Protocolfeels like a nice respite from real-world troubles with a community that is as friendly asFinal Fantasy 14’s.
RELATED:Lost Ark Sorceress Controversy Explained
Final Fantasy 14 Support is Ongoing
There is an oft-memedFinal Fantasy 14trial that allows players to experience the base game andits first expansion Heavenswardat no cost, albeit with some restrictions. It’s a great way to bring people into the world without much of a commitment, andBlue Protocol’s free-to-play philosophy could easily have the same impact. It will have to generate revenue somehow, and paid cosmetic items will surely be included, but it’s also an indicator that Amazon is placing trust in the title to survive on a long-term basis.
This is essential, as games that are reliant on populated servers can fade into obscurity in a few short months or weeks. Even games in mammoth franchises likeHalo Infinitestruggles to keep people coming backwhen there’s a lack of new things to do. Despite being almost a decade old in its current incarnation,Final Fantasy 14feels as new as it did all those years ago. Longevity is critical in the online space, and the more reasons there are to return, the more likely a game such asBlue Protocolwill retain popularity.
The announcement ofBlue Protocolshowcased a glimpse of the art style, gameplay loop, and world-building that Amazon and Bandai Namco are looking to release in the latter half of 2023. Initial indicators are that it has the potential to be what the retail and tech giant needs to find a permanent home in the gaming space.Amazon can’t repeat the same mistakes inBlue Protocolas other games it has published, so Square Enix could be a guiding light with how well it has supportedFinal Fantasy 14.
Blue Protocolis coming to PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S in 2023.
