Bandai Namco has officially announced the first-ever world championship for Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero, a fighting game that has quickly gained traction since its October 2024 release.
This ambitious world tournament will feature a mix of online qualifiers and an in-person grand final at the Dragon Ball Games Battle Hour event in Los Angeles, offering a highly competitive format with unique elements inspired by the Dragon Ball universe.
Tournament Overview and Qualification Rounds
The Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero World Tournament will begin with online qualifiers across nine key regions, including the United States (East and West divisions), Mexico, Japan, France, Italy, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Spain.
These national tournaments, scheduled for November and December 2024 on PlayStation 5, will determine the best players from each region. Each online winner will earn a spot at the finals, representing their nation on the world stage.
After the online rounds, the nine qualified players will join seven more who qualify through an on-site event at the Dragon Ball Games Battle Hour, which will be held on January 18, 2025, just a day before the grand finals on January 19.
Unique Tournament Format and Character Selection
In a refreshing twist, the tournament’s final stage will showcase 16 unique characters, each representing a player’s nation. This approach means that each participant will exclusively represent a single character, creating a diverse and character-driven roster in the grand finals.
To enhance gameplay strategy, players can choose from 40 additional characters for their second fighter, allowing for versatile match-ups and team dynamics.
The balance of characters will be fine-tuned using in-game items, a system confirmed by the game’s producer, Jun Furutani, who emphasized Bandai Namco’s dedication to fair competition.
The Evolution of Dragon Ball in Esports
This tournament is a testament to Bandai Namco’s commitment to expanding Dragon Ball’s presence in the esports scene. The Dragon Ball franchise has a rich history in competitive gaming, with Dragon Ball FighterZ being a longstanding favorite in the fighting game community (FGC).
FighterZ, despite its 2018 release, remains relevant, even recently joining the lineup for EVO France 2025, another major FGC event. The world championship for Sparking Zero is poised to continue this legacy, bridging the excitement of anime fandom with high-stakes esports competition.
Key Points to Remember:
- Event Format: Includes online qualifiers across nine regions and an on-site qualifier in Los Angeles.
- Finals Location: Dragon Ball Games Battle Hour, Los Angeles, January 2025.
- Unique Character Representation: Players represent their nation with one unique character, with a choice of 40 others for secondary picks.
- Balanced Gameplay: Characters balanced through in-game items to ensure competitive fairness.
- Platform: PlayStation 5.
Conclusion
The Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero World Tournament will be an exciting new chapter for the Dragon Ball esports scene, bringing together top players and fans alike for a dynamic and unique competitive experience.
As the first championship of its kind, it sets a high bar for future Dragon Ball tournaments and further solidifies the franchise’s standing in the FGC.
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