"Dragon Ball Online" Discussion Thread

[Chuquita]

I really hope they reveal the mysterious woman's name. The one who created Miira. I'm really curious about the plot in general.

[Kiyza]

What are the full system requirements? I know it's probably on the Korean website somewhere, but I can't find it.

This is from another website, I can provide you with a link to it later if you want. The requirements in parentheses are what's reccomended.

Operating System : Windows 2000 SP4, Windows XP SP2, or greater
CPU : Pentium 4 1.5GHz or greater (2.4GHz)
Graphics : Geforce4 Ti4200 or Radeon 8500 (Geforce 6200 or X800)
RAM : 512MB or greater (1GB)

[Greenman]

Thanks, I was mostly interested in the video card requirements.

[Thanos6]

I'm psychic!

Goten and Trunks founding the Kikoukenjutsu Sword School which teaches how to infuse blades with ki to overpower opponents

Here's an excerpt from the Goten/Trunks fanfic I'm writing. The chapter in which the following appeared was written and posted to the Net in November, and has the two of them meeting in the final of the 28th Tenkaichi Budokai:

Trunks raised his hands and began to grip apparently empty air, resting one hand on top of the other. Suddenly, his ki dropped, and inside his hands formed a shape that would be very familiar to his family.

***

"My sword!" gasped Mirai. It was a uniform, shimmering golden from blade to hilt, formed as it was out of pure energy, but there was no mistaking it.

***

At the same time, Goten had moved his hands down to his sides and took a similar grip on thin air. His ki fell as well, and another shape took form in his grasp, one his own family would recognize.

***

"The Nyoibo!" breathed out Gohan. It, too, was bright gold, but clearly recognizable.

<snip>

Goku and Vegeta stared in mingled pride and shock. The only time they'd come even close to something like that was when they were fused as Vegetto, and formed a thin blade of ki to slice through Majin Buu. But these weapons were beyond that, and neither of them had ever instructed the boys on anything like this. They had come up with it all by themselves.

And is it just me, or what with the two of them teaching together in their thirties (assuming they begin teaching right around Age 800), they're taking the yaoi idea and running with it?

[Rocketman]

"Mirai"

*eye twitch*

"The only time they'd come even close to something like that was when they were fused as Vegetto, and formed a thin blade of ki to slice through Majin Buu. But these weapons were beyond that"

ARRRHHHH *foams at the mouth*




"At the same time, Goten had moved his hands down to his sides and took a similar grip on thin air. His ki fell as well, and another shape took form in his grasp, one his own family would recognize."

Good god, Goten! Not in public!

[Rory]

is it just me, or what with the two of them teaching together in their thirties (assuming they begin teaching right around Age 800), they're taking the yaoi idea and running with it?

Yeah, that's just you.

[Big Momma]

is it just me, or what with the two of them teaching together in their thirties (assuming they begin teaching right around Age 800), they're taking the yaoi idea and running with it?

Yeah, that's just you.

It is a sword school.

[Chuquita]

I'd hold it as a possibility until further news is fleshed out about it, yeah.

This is a GT-less timeline afterall.

[DNA]

*awkward fanfiction*

No offence, but this is exactly why I hate most fanfics...

[Thanos6]

"Mirai"

*eye twitch*

Well, he has to have SOME kind of different name to differentiate himself from "regular" Trunks with them both in the same timeline.

"The only time they'd come even close to something like that was when they were fused as Vegetto, and formed a thin blade of ki to slice through Majin Buu. But these weapons were beyond that"

ARRRHHHH *foams at the mouth*

I'm not talking in terms of power here, just that the weapons the boys created are better representations of real ones than anything they've done.

DNA: No offense meant, though I would be interested in knowing what exactly it is you don't like.

[Scarz]

*Fanfic*

I was really tempted to rewrite that passage into a homo-erotic parody but I restrained myself since it would probably give the impression that I hate fanfictions. Which I totally don't. Kinda, sometimes, well it all depends really. It has to be hardcore fanfic in order for me to actually like it, preferably read the ones that includes Bulma or Chichi. Or both. At the same time. And Vegetto has to be in it at some point... Okay I'm going way off topic here.

What?

Ah yes. Ki sword fusions stuff, how about that.

[Thanos6]

I was really tempted to rewrite that passage into a homo-erotic parody

Sorry, beat you to it; it's part of a Goten/Trunks romance fic.

[Amaranth Sparrow]

http://sgame.jp/speciel_newsinfo35.php Bit of news, an "NTL X Bandai Korea Interview", following up on DBO's rapid rise into Korea's top ten online games chart.

They basically explain that NTL is a company that exists in Korea and Japan at the same time, and was originally founded in Japan in 2003 to work on some Disney 3D animation projects. They were then brought into the Dragon Ball Online Project in late 2003, and it entered into the conceptualization phase in 2004. Because the online gaming market is stronger in Korea, they worked in tandem with Bandai Japan and Bandai Korea, then formed their own Korean branch in 2004. Six years later, NTL is a company that is currently dedicated solely to Dragon Ball Online. They go on to explain their relationship with Bandai Korea, CJ Internet, and Shueisha and how that relates to the DBO Project.

They again summarize that the idea behind DBO was to unite Korean experience in online game development with Japanese creative force to create something that could transcend their respective cultures and make an impact on the whole world. They say that their motto is "harmony", with both Japanese and Korean staff members working together, bringing their own talents to the table. They currently have about 80 people working on the game between Japan and Korea, and the staff is growing. The game has been in direct development for five years, and has existed conceptually for about six. They'd originally planned to have it out in 2007, but they make a veiled mention of the release of World of Warcraft in 2004, and their need to greatly expand DBO to raise standards so it could compete, and also to incorporate as many requests from players as possible.

Next, they talk a bit about the story, and Akira Toriyama's involvement. Basically, they say that the story of Dragon Ball Online can't be the same as the original story, because it's set 250 years later, and they need to have new events for the present setting. They say that they're trying to implement the most original stories, and that everything is produced under the supervision of the original author, Akira Toriyama, and Shueisha, the copyright holders.

They then go on to discuss the hows and whys of implementating familiar elements from the manga, like the Tenkaichi Budokai, Scouters, and Jan Ken, and what sort of content they'd like to add in the future. They say that those things had to be included because it wouldn't feel like Dragon Ball without them.

They mention that when it comes to special techniques, they have to strike a balance for the sake of gameplay and that they can't always just look at how powerful they were in the original, though it's really cool to see a famous skill thrown in at the end of a combo. They want to eventually implement team-up attacks. They also mention that they have to come up with a lot of completely original abilities, simply because they're required for the sake of gameplay, but that it can be a difficult process because Akira Toriyama and Shueisha have to consent to every ability they come up with. This is taken very seriously, so that anything they develop can be considered an official part of Dragon Ball.

They then basically emphasize that everything that actually gets developed has to be supervised by Shueisha and checked by Toriyama before being placed in the game, and that such an influence gives an official touch to everything in the game.

They talk a bit about why they decided to move from console games to an online game, and to shift from a game about fighting to a more thoughtful game about going to important places, where players can enjoy the world of Dragon Ball firsthand. They mention that, even though it's set 250 years in the future, they implemented a lot of features to allow fans of the original to enjoy it, too.

They talk a bit about the original concept, which was that rather than copying or imitating the original, they'd make an official sequel set 250 years later, to make something that's "the real deal". They mention that they also wanted to make it for the sake of the people who already love the setting, and because of that, it can appeal to people all over, from schoolchildren to the middle-aged. They say that DBO is the rare sort of MMORPG that could be cross-generational in a positive way. They didn't want to make a game that targets any one country, but rather something that could be considered world-class. They talk a bit about localization, and basically say that, since people all over the world already love the setting, and that they're developing it with a worldwide audience in mind, they don't want changes and mistakes in the localization process (like changing items, gameplay balance, how clothing or characters look, etc.). They say that if things get changed, they'll get flamed by Dragon Ball fans all over.

They go on to say that NTL and Bandai have to "move very carefully" with Shueisha when it comes to targeting Japan and the rest of the world, and they apologize to the fans waiting for such details, because they can't reveal anything about that yet. Even so, they're eager to start working on the Japanese release, they plan to expand to a worldwide release, and they think it'll be a game that can be continually updated and expanded on indefinitely.

They finish up a bit by talking about other projects, to which they say they're pretty much focused entirely on DBO, then giving some shout outs to the Japanese fans. It's mentioned that there seem to be some preconceptions in Japan, like free-to-play MMORPGs being more expensive due to the cash shops, or that copyrighted stuff shouldn't be put into online games. They basically ask fans to wait for more information or to keep an eye on the Korean version.

[Kendamu]

It is a sword school.

Exactly! Not awkward at all! Now if it were a Brazilian Jiujitsu school...

[B]

They talk a bit about localization, and basically say that, since people all over the world already love the setting, and that they're developing it with a worldwide audience in mind, they don't want changes and mistakes in the localization process (like changing items, gameplay balance, how clothing or characters look, etc.). They say that if things get changed, they'll get flamed by Dragon Ball fans all over.

Well, shit. The trek to North America is going to be a bitch for this game.

[JulieYBM]

My word, they all seem very dedicated to making a good game for fans globally. Neat.

[Rocketman]

Well, he has to have SOME kind of different name to differentiate himself from "regular" Trunks with them both in the same timeline.

"Future". It's what you're calling him anyway, and it's not Random Japanese (TM).

preferably read the ones that includes Bulma or Chichi. Or both. At the same time. And Vegetto has to be in it at some point...

... <3

[Thanos6]

Well, he has to have SOME kind of different name to differentiate himself from "regular" Trunks with them both in the same timeline.

"Future". It's what you're calling him anyway, and it's not Random Japanese (TM).

Well, since the story is written in English, it sounds more natural (to my ears, at least) to use the Japanese, sounds more like a real name and not just a descriptor.

(Also, Mirai is a real name, though admittedly it's usually used for girls)

[Chuquita]

Wow the company working this has quite the dedication. Very nice. :3

Looking forward to seeing what happens to Goku and Vegeta in DBO's timeline. They're the only two left I haven't read new information about yet that I'd like to hear from.

[verto]

Well, he has to have SOME kind of different name to differentiate himself from "regular" Trunks with them both in the same timeline.

"Future". It's what you're calling him anyway, and it's not Random Japanese (TM).

Well, since the story is written in English, it sounds more natural (to my ears, at least) to use the Japanese, sounds more like a real name and not just a descriptor.

(Also, Mirai is a real name, though admittedly it's usually used for girls)

But... his name... is still Trunks... He wasn't named Mirai-Trunks.