The previously-announced network test for the upcoming video game Dragon Ball XENOVERSE has been announced on the game’s official Japanese website.

The Japanese network test will be limited to PlayStation 3 owners. Participation will be assigned via a lottery system — not a first-come, first-serve basis — with registration done via the PlayStation Store. To enter, players must “Search” with the PlayStation Store for ネットワークテスト用応募券 (“Entry Ticket for Network Test”); clicking “Download” on this item enters you into the selection pool. Players who are selected will only be able to play the network test on the account that they registered with and will be notified by e-mail.

Entries to the network test lottery pool will be accepted 21 August 2014 at 9:00 p.m. JST to midnight on 18 September 2014.

Two phases of network test game time are scheduled. The first round of winners will be notified starting 19 September 2014 with the test running over a 27-hour period from 20 September 2014 at 9:00 p.m. JST to 22 September 2014 at 12:00 a.m. JST. The second round of winners will be notified starting 03 October 2014 with the test running over another 27-hour period from 04 October 2014 at 9:00 p.m. JST to 06 October 2014 at 12:00 a.m. JST.

The first round of testing is only for Japan, while the second round will be worldwide. Some functions will be added for the second test. The European branch of Bandai Namco has been referencing an upcoming “Closed Beta”, which will presumably be within this second period.

A network test is a pre-release inspection where individuals selected randomly as testers play the game in advance of the official start of service.

By performing a network load test, we will inspect various technologies of the online system. We await everyone’s participation in order to make Dragon Ball XENOVERSE even better.

Concept: The Dragon Ball XENOVERSE network test will be performed with the following as its objectives. This test will be in order to check the game system and to correct issues with it. Because of this, the game data is still under development, and some issues may arise during play. We request your understanding and acceptance of this fact.

Server Load Inspection: We will conduct simultaneous connections under specific conditions, and inspect gameplay with the game server, under load.

Multiplayer Inspection: We will conduct an inspection of various phenomena that arise with many people participating, such as troubles that arise with players doing multiplayer through different network environments.

Gameplay, System Inspection: We will conduct miscellaneous bug inspections and balance adjustments related to actual gameplay.

Entry Qualifications: Owning a PlayStation 3 connected to the Internet, having a Sony Entertainment Network account, being able to actively participate in the test and report issues/errors, and agreeing with the terms of use for the Dragon Ball XENOVERSE Network Test Version.

Dragon Ball XENOVERSE — currently in development by Dimps for Bandai Namco — will be released on the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360, though no release date has been set.