Blue Protocol is getting a Western release in 2024 through publisher Amazon Games. The massively multiplayer online role-playing game is an anime style Japanese production, developed by Bandai Namco as a free-to-play title. Amazon has started doing a lot of Western localizations of various games, making a name for itself in the industry. Now, with Blue Protocol, Amazon is bringing the title to more players, but not without a few changes.
Mike Zadorojny, the franchise lead with Amazon Games, recently did an interview with the fan website, Blue Protocol Database. He explained that the Western version of the title will be making changes to insure a teen rating is approved by the ESRB and other boards. He assured fans the content, gameplay, stories, and everything else will be the same as the Japanese version, only small mature features will be removed. The removed features are relatively minor, as Amazon Games will be doing away with revealing outfits and the use of a “physics shake” on the home screen.
In the interview, Zadorojny explained the reasoning behind Amazon’s removal of such features. He talked about the cultural differences between Western life and Japanese life, making the following statements:
“These are the types of changes that are culturally accepted in Japan and which they do in their titles. However, in the west it can be uncomfortable for our players and that’s where we will step in to say hey, can we make a slight change for this?
…These things are not necessarily going to detract from the gameplay experience or from the story that is going on. But generally speaking we’ll make it so when parents or friends are playing with other Teens, that they’re not necessarily going to be pulled out of the environment or the game’s perspective.”
Fans Complain About Blue Censorship, While the Changes Made Are Based On Ratings
Blue Protocol fans have cried out over what they see as an injustice due to the changed features. However, Amazon Games is not censoring these features to prevent the flow of ideas, it is doing so to get the better teen rating. Amazon is about business and likely wants this game in as many households as possible, which means changing content to fit Western culture. Nevertheless, none of the story has been changed, or the concepts that are presented in the Bandai Namco title. The only difference between the Western version and the Japanese version are the two features completely unrelated to the mechanics of the game.
If you look at Western video games, the type of content fans are complaining about is not completely censored. Games like The Witcher 3, Cyberpunk 2077, or Larian Studios upcoming title Baldur’s Gate 3, all have mature romantic themes. However, these titles are rated M for mature, and are meant to be purchased by adults. The ridiculous complaints of Blue Protocol fans do not justify putting inappropriate content in the hands of children and teens. But while they may continue to persist, it looks like Amazon Games will not break under the pressure.
What do you think of Blue Protocol and the censorship fans complain is happening to the Western release? Does Amazon Games have the right idea? Leave a comment and let us know your thoughts.
“Do you want to join the Gaming Team here at FandomWire? Have a passion for video games and want to share that with the world? Click here to apply!”
Source: Blue Protocol Database
Follow us for more entertainment coverage on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
