As Bandai Namco’s Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero gears up for release, newer updates about the game are continually keeping players hooked. Players will once again be able to see the work of the late Akira Toriyama through the game.
Last month, the game recently received a new gameplay trailer which highlighted its similarities to the popular Budokai Tenkaichi series. However, there are rumors that the latest game from the franchise could be dropping an important feature that has been a part of the series for decades.
Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero will not feature local co-op
Although it cannot be said with certainty, according to an interview with Laun Le Mal (transcribed by ShonenGames) the upcoming game will not support local co-op. The user stated that Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero producer Jun Furutani reportedly proclaimed that the upcoming fighter will not have a local split-screen co-op. They cited the complications between Sony and Microsoft as the reason.
According to the report, the developer was attempting to find a solution to the issue two months ago. Until then they said the game will launch without local co-op. That being said, there are chances that it could be executed at a later time as part of an update.
If true here’s what’s being said about Sparking Zero’s Split Screen, Characters, Story mode and more:
The team is open to criticism and consists of enthusiasts, with Jun Furutani himself being a big fan.
The local split-screen mode will ultimately not be available, not due to… https://t.co/uMkviTu4PF
— ShonenGames (@ShonenGameZ) February 2, 2024
Notably, previous Budokai Tenkaichi games have included local co-op. It has almost become a staple in the franchise. The feature allows two players to play together on the couch with split-screen gameplay.
Unfortunately, Sparking Zero could reportedly snatch away this privilege from the fans. That being said, it is still not confirmed if this will be the case. Bandai Namco is yet to officially issue a statement concerning this elimination of the feature to offer some clarity to fans.
Petition to stop Microsoft and Sony from limiting developers
After reports about Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero not having local split-screen support began to emerge, a fan named ‘Josiah Ellison’ started an online petition on Change.org. The petition titled ‘Stop Microsoft and Sony from Limiting Local Co-op Game Development Make’ has amassed 148 signatures since it was started on February 11, 2024.
The fan addressed the petition to “Sony, Microsoft, and fellow Dragon Ball Z enthusiasts, and gamers.” In the petition, they wrote,
“Many of us have fond memories of playing video games with our siblings, friends, or family members on a single console. These shared experiences are being threatened by the actions of Microsoft and Sony. They are pressuring game publishers to limit the development of local co-op games in an attempt to sell more consoles. This is not just about gaming; it’s about preserving those precious moments that bring us together.”
Sony and Microsoft are the reason Split-screen co-op (probably) won’t be in the game
byu/PhilliesDude2k20 intenkaichi4
They also made some serious claims against the console makers, saying,
“By limiting local co-op games, these companies are essentially robbing children and adults alike of the opportunity to create memories with their loved ones due to sheer greed.”
Essentially, the split-screen feature allows two people to play one game on the same screen together. Without the split screen, both players will have to buy the games separately, and maybe even two consoles. This can help the companies make more money.
