How much impact does Namco likely have with the DBZ games?

[Silkman3003]

This is something i've been a bit curious about since i'm not too knowledgable on this subject but

How much impact does Namco likely have with the DBZ games that are out/coming out? Obviously they publish the game, but I'm assuming they have a lot more impact on how it's gonna turn out?

In a case like Battle of Z for example. Would it rest on the fault of Artdink for not including a way to fight against AI opponents, outside of story? As well as the lack of other single player modes? Or would the blame shift on Namco Bandai, who (likely) tell them what modes to include, and what characters to include or not to include?


Basically, does Namco give the developers a lot more control over their game, in terms of modes,gameplay elements, roster? Or is it another case entirely where Namco gives out the orders and what to include/not to include, and developers develop it in that way? And the latter may include gameplay elements, roster, modes, etc, in which namco makes the decision and the developer just follows the orders?

Anyone here who has a lot more knowledge on the subject, willing to give an answer, or at least their reasonable thoughts?

[TheDevilsCorpse]

From what I hear, Bandai Namco approaches the developer with a rough idea of what they want and then the developer gets back to them with an overview of the project's details and they go from there.

Not only does Bandai Namco give the developers a list of demands though, but because Shueisha is the franchise's rights holder, they have to listen to Shueisha's demands too. Some of which I seem to remember being mentioned was characters for the roster and the amount of time allowed for development; Shueisha were the ones wanting there to be a Dragon Ball game a year.

As for who ruled out offline Single and Multiplayer for Battle of Z? It wouldn't surprise me to learn who had the idea, as I could see any of the three suggesting it.

[Hellspawn28]

They also give out a release time frame that they want for the games. Budokai 3 had more content plan, but they wanted the game to be out in the US by November since Atari had a deal with them to have the games out in North America first.

[TheDevilsCorpse]

That's pretty much what I meant by time allowed for development, because after you get done making everything and testing it...it's basically time to release the game once the print the disc and stuff.