he Xbox community couldn't be happier; Dragon Ball Z is finally coming to Xbox! What made the timing right?
Dan DeOreo: Sagas is a first for a few reasons. It's the first DBZ action game on console, and it's the first multi-platform DBZ release. We've heard the enthusiasts in the Xbox community and are thrilled to bring the excitement of DBZ to this new platform.
The Budokai series has done well on the PS2 but never saw the light of day on the Xbox, so why start specifically with Sagas?
Dan DeOreo: As an action game, Sagas falls into a genre of games that is much bigger than fighting. It also happens to be the genre that DBZ fans say they want developed more than any other. Those were two pretty compelling reasons to bring Sagas to life.
How long has Sagas been in development?
Dan DeOreo: Pre-production for DBZ Sagas started in July of 2003.
The announcement revealed some "short and sweet" info. The first one being that Sagas will be an "action-adventure title with RPG elements." Could you tell us a bit more about these aspects and how fighting fits in the mix?
Dan DeOreo: DBZ Sagas is an action/adventure game with combat at the core of the gameplay. In true DBZ style, you play different Z-Warriors and battle many types of grunts. Most of the main enemies, from Raditz to Cell, are encountered as bosses in the game. Other then combat, some levels have different missions and you will get to upgrade your characters by purchasing combos and other attacks.
It was revealed too that the storyline spans from the Saiyan Saga through the Cell Games Saga. That is like 180 episodes in the animated series. Why such a broad timeline and can we expect a huge game with multiple playable characters, locations, missions, side quests, etc.?
Dan DeOreo: DBZ Sagas covers the first half of the DBZ series and you are right, there are a lot of episodes. We condense the story down into the major plot points and battle most of the major enemies from these sagas. There are 20 levels that take place in numerous environments on Earth, Namek and even Yardrat. Most of the story is told in between each level with FMVs that are montages using segments from the animated series.
What is the level of contribution of FUNimation?
Dan DeOreo: FUNimation is not just a licensor. FUNimation knows DBZ and its fans better than any other organization in the U.S., and so FUNimation is a trusted creative partner, as well. All aspects of the game, from character models to animations to environments, are being reviewed and approved by FUNimation to ensure that we are authentically bringing the DBZ universe to life. Since the game also includes some elements of the series that never were divulged in the animated series, FUNimation also has helped us tell new and exciting parts of the Dragon Ball story in a way that we think will unfold very seamlessly.
The animated series has suffered lot of censorship in the US. The original Dragon Ball Z series, as seen in Japan and other countries, has lot of adult humor and content, mostly because Goku is an adult in this era. What kind of audience are you targeting for Sagas?
Dan DeOreo: DBZ appeals to a broad spectrum of Anime fans here in the U.S. and we plan to include almost everyone in the excitement, similar to how we've handled the Budokai series. If you like DBZ, anime, high-energy martial arts, or superheroes, you'll enjoy this game.
What kind of visual style will be used? Cel-Shaded graphics like those seen in Budokai, a combination of 2D and 3D graphics, or full 3D visuals?
Dan DeOreo: The look and feel of DBZ Sagas is very similar to Budokai and is very accurate to the DBZ license.
What character(s) will gamers get to control?
Dan DeOreo: To start, you will control all of the main Z-Warriors including Goku, Gohan, Vegeta, Trunks and Piccolo. The characters wear different outfits that sync up with the storyline and there are few unlockable characters, too.
How will the movement and combat be handled?
Dan DeOreo: The game takes you through many environments while battling different foes. The environments are very accurate to the TV series and allow that player to run, fly, and hover over water while battling and completing missions.
What type of fighting mechanics does Sagas rely on? Can you reveal anything about the attacks, moves and combos?
Dan DeOreo: The game is a 3rd person action/adventure that drops your character into environments where you battle different enemies using both melee and range combat. The melee combat is made up of different kicks, punches and authentic combos. Each character has their signature special move as their primary range attack, e.g.: Goku's Kamehameha.
It was also revealed that the game will offer cooperative capabilities, a first for the series. Can you reveal anything more about this feature and are you planning online (Xbox Live) or System Link capabilities for co-op?
Dan DeOreo: Unfortunately, the game does not support any online play but it does support two player co-op where you and a friend can play as two of the Z-Warriors and complete a more difficult version of the single player experience together.
What forms of deathmatch multiplayer are available for the game, if any?
Dan DeOreo: This game is purely an adventure game and does not have a deathmatch mode.
What can you tell us about the graphics engine that will be used in the game and specifically how will the Xbox version use the console hardware to its fullest? HDTV? Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound?
Dan DeOreo: Both HDTV and Dolby are supported. Textures and other graphics will be tuned for Xbox. Our game will also have custom vertex shaders.
Do you think that Sagas is a game that will appeal to a wide audience and not just the die-hard DBZ fans?
Dan DeOreo: I do think the game will appeal to a wider audience and not just die-hard fans, though certainly die-hard fans will be drawn to the title, too. DBZ has a story, character set, and mythology that is as extensive as that which supports brands like Star Wars and Star Trek. Properties like DBZ can't help but appeal to a wide audience because they contain so many universally accepted and enjoyed themes. For that reason I think Sagas has the chance to be played and enjoyed by a lot of different people, die-hard fans and beyond.
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