Dragon Ball Gekishin Squadra, the free-to-play multiplayer online battle arena game set in the Dragon Ball universe, is undergoing a significant transformation. Following its first-year anniversary, the game will transition from its MOBA genre to a third-person fighting game, a shift developers hope will address issues with player skill gaps and improve the overall player experience. While the game will remain free-to-play, the changes are expected to make it feel like an entirely new title.
Developers cited a widening skill gap as a primary reason for the overhaul, noting that it led to negative experiences for new players and contributed to player attrition. The goal of the upcoming changes is to maintain engagement for veteran players while making the game more approachable for beginners. This will involve adjustments to the camera perspective, gameplay rules, and the character role system.
The top-down view, a defining characteristic of the game's MOBA identity, will be replaced with a closer, third-person perspective. Developers believe that the game's former strategic depth and knowledge-based mechanics contributed to the pronounced skill disparity. To rectify this, the game's rules and maps are slated for an overhaul. Furthermore, character roles are being redesigned to allow players to enjoy their favorite Dragon Ball characters more freely, regardless of their specific combat role within the game. The developer letter suggests a simplification of this system, potentially allowing players more choice in roles or reducing the impact of unique character stats.
Enhancements to customization features are also planned, aiming to provide a richer battle experience and improved visual effects. The process of acquiring characters will be streamlined, while advanced gameplay elements will be expanded.
However, the announcement has met with considerable backlash from the game's community. Player reactions on social media platform X indicate significant dissatisfaction, with many expressing a desire to prevent the proposed changes. Some fans are unhappy that a game they have played for a year is being fundamentally revamped into something quite different. Despite these changes not being fully implemented until later this year, a number of players have reportedly already uninstalled the game.
It remains to be seen whether the developers will reconsider their plans in light of the negative player feedback or proceed with the complete overhaul of Dragon Ball Gekishin Squadra.