DRAGON BALL Games Battle Hour 2022 – Behind the Scenes of the Producer Game Clear Challenge!!
DRAGON BALL Games Battle Hour 2022 (DBGBH 2022 herein), the ultimate celebration of Dragon Ball games, was held across two jam-packed days on February 19 and 20 (JST). Just like last year, the producers of various hit Dragon Ball games gathered for the Producer Game Clear Challenge, where they had to work together to clear a classic Dragon Ball game within the event's timeframe. This year, we were able to tag along with the producers to see the two-day challenge from their perspective! Read on for our exclusive inside scoop!
Day 1: Producers Assemble!
As you can see, the studio for the Producer Game Clear Challenge got a power up to look just like the inside of Kame House, complete with a fridge fully stocked with drinks. The table had an instruction manual for this year's game, Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 2, so the producers could check the controls or settings at any time.
Dragon Ball Legends Producer TOSHI arrived at the studio bright and early at 8:30am. There he found the creator of Dragon Ball Z Dokkan Battle and Dragon Ball Legends, Tezuka, already absorbed in practice, despite not being scheduled to play until DAY 2.
Talk about dedication!
Tezuka (pictured front), who had been practicing since the day before his turn.
Further back, MC Matthew Masaru Baron, is having his mic fitted.
All of the broadcast equipment was assembled and undergoing final checks throughout the morning before the stream.
TOSHI had changed into his Battle Hour attire and was standing by. His advice for first-time challenger OMATSU was, "As long as you're having fun while you play, the people watching will have fun too. Since you're first at bat, make sure you don't get flustered!"
OMATSU, the producer of the Japanese version of Dragon Ball Z Dokkan Battle. He commented on this being his first time playing Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 2, saying "I'm feeling nervous. I made sure to practice. We have to clear the challenge, so I'll do my best to make it as far as I can."
Just When Things Were Going Smoothly...!
Shiba P (front / Dragon Ball Z Dokkan Battle producer) and producer Hashino (back / Dragon Ball Z: KAKAROT producer) standing by while keeping a watchful eye on TOSHI and OMATSU's performance.
TOSHI and OMATSU got the ball rolling by clearing stages 1 and 2 before handing the controller off to Shiba P and producer Hashino for stage 3. The latter two admitted they were feeling incredibly nervous.
Whether it was nerves or something else, producer Hashino lost battles repeatedly, making discouraged statements such as "This is so hard" and "I'm so ashamed..."
However, they didn't give up! Producer Hashino managed to defeat Captain Ginyu before the duo's challenge ended. Unfortunately, they weren't able to advance any further in the stages. Perhaps tomorrow would yield greater results?!
We asked producer Hashino for his thoughts after the challenge.
"I was careless. It turned out to be 10 times harder than I was expecting... This was my first time playing Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 2, but it wasn't just the action that was hard, it was how deep the skillset was. If you don't understand those things going in, you're in for a hard time. I realize that now."—Producer Hashino
A pensive producer Hashino immediately following his Day 1 Game Challenge. While he managed to defeat the enemy before his challenge ended, he regrettably couldn't advance to the next stage.
More and more producers gather. Everyone's checking how the Online Arena is doing.
Let's rewind for a second and take a look at the rest of the producers who participated in the event!
Dragon Ball Legends producer RYO commented before his turn, "I made sure to practice beforehand, but to be honest, I'm feeling a little unsure. I just spoke with Hiroki, who I'll be playing with, and she said, 'What should we talk about during the broadcast?' She's used to livestreams, so I think I'll follow her lead." We're counting on you, RYO!
Dragon Ball FighterZ producer Hiroki joins the challenge! Just as RYO said, she seems completely relaxed during the livestream. That's a good sign!! Since she's a fighting-game producer, we're counting on her to make some serious progress. "I couldn't even beat Raditz last year! I'm kind of nervous."
A beaming producer Mikumo (front / Dragon Ball XENOVERSE 2 producer) and Mito (back / producer of Dragon Ball Z: Sparking and others). Producer Hiroki and RYO advanced one stage before passing the baton.
Once Sannohe came in, a flood of supportive comments like "I played a bunch of the Sparking series!", "I've played the Sparking series, so I hope you'll do your best!" and so on came pouring in from Dragon Ball Z: Sparking players.
Producer Hara (front / DRAGON BALL: THE BREAKERS producer) and Uchiyama (back / Dragon Ball Z: Budokai series creator). At last, someone who had actually worked on Budokai 2 had entered the ring!
The last producers to take on the Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 2 challenge for Day 1 were Uchiyama, producer of the game in question, and producer Hara. Together, they managed to reach stage 7.
Just what you'd expect of the person who worked on the game itself! We asked Uchiyama for his thoughts.
"Imagine if I couldn't get through one stage... How sad would that be? (laughs) It's been a while since I've revisited this game, but I had a lot of fun playing it."
"I actually got in some practice for today. Even though I was a producer for the Budokai series, I couldn't participate in last year's challenge at all (*last year's Producer Game Clear Challenge was for the original Dragon Ball Z: Budokai). I'm glad I could make up for that this year."—Uchiyama
Any advice for the producers taking on tomorrow's challenge? "None whatsoever! Just have fun basking in this wonderful game produced by yours truly! Good luck!!"
Day 2: The Game Is Cleared At Last! Mission Accomplished!
Producers Mikumo (left) and KOTO (right) just before their challenge.
Producers Mikumo (Dragon Ball: XENOVERSE 2) and KOTO (Dragon Ball Z Dokkan Battle global version) kicked off DAY 2. Even though it was 2 in the morning in Japan at this point, they were raring and ready to go!!
This was KOTO's Producer Game Challenge debut. "I'm not too sure about the action parts," KOTO said, prompting producer Mikumo to give her some advice: "You can do a really quick jab with the square button, so make sure to use it a bunch." Thus, with that quick jab in tow, the two set off to clear their stage!
Shiba P, practicing in order to redeem himself from the previous day's loss.
KITSU P (back / Dragon Ball XENOVERSE 2 producer) and Shiba P (back) took to the stage with smiles all around. Shiba P's grin belied a burning desire to make up for his mistakes on Day 1!!
In the end, Shiba P & KITSU P were able to clear the rest of the game, giving the former the redemption he sought! Congratulations!
"We did it! Thank you so much! KITSU P did most of the heavy lifting, though," he said. Meanwhile, KITSU P exclaimed, "This year was the best!" with a huge grin.
Just like Shiba P, producer Hashino had something to prove after what happened the previous day. Since Budokai 2 was cleared right before his shot at vindication, he decided to take on its successor, Budokai 3, instead! You can do it, Hashino! Don't forget that TOSHI's got your back!!
The leading man of this year's Game Clear Challenge, KITSU P, who practiced for hours. Congrats on your victory! You earned it!!
No One Told Me Anything About Playing Budokai 3!
In the second half of Day 2, Hirano (producer of Dragon Ball XENOVERSE and others) and producer Hara (DRAGON BALL: THE BREAKERS) were under the impression that they'd be taking on Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 2 together, but now that they'd be playing Budokai 3, they were scrambling to get some practice before their turn!
Hirano (left) and producer Hara (right), who have worked together on the same titles in the past. According to Hirano, "Producer Hara is dedicated to game creation, and he particularly enjoys big games—so much so that he even brought a console to the hotel to do some more gaming before coming to the venue."
Tezuka, who arrived first to the venue to practice Budokai 2 the day before his challenge, said, "No one told me anything about playing Budokai 3! I don't even remember the controls!"
Since the Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 3 challenge was decided at the last minute, the game's manual was consulted to figure out the controls. The producers in the back, having finished their challenge, look on in anticipation.
The time has come! How far can they make it in Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 3?!
With lots of pre-challenge practice and a firm grasp of the controls, the producers were really able to show their mettle. You can see so for yourself from the archives, so definitely give it a look!
Check the following links to see the DRAGON BALL Games Battle Hour video archives!
©BIRD STUDIO/SHUEISHA, TOEI ANIMATION
©BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Inc.
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