Dragon Ball Gekishin Squadra Overhaul: Bandai Namco Outlines Major Gameplay Changes Ahead of Second Anniversary

Bandai Namco has revealed a sweeping overhaul for its free-to-play MOBA Dragon Ball Gekishin Squadra as the title approaches its second anniversary in September. In an official developer letter and accompanying roadmap, the studio outlined a multi-part update intended to reduce barriers to competitive play and broaden the game's appeal over the long term. The company aims to ship the bulk of these changes by the end of 2026. Developer rationale and rewritten statements Bandai Namco explained that GEKISHIN SQUADRA’s original design emphasized strategic depth and knowledge-based mechanics, but over time that complexity produced a sizable skill gap between top players and newcomers. The studio said this disparity resulted in lopsided matches and a user experience that often failed to meet expectations for newer entrants. The team confirmed it carefully reviewed community feedback and decided on a direction intended to “entertain a wide audience for years to come.” The company noted the decision was not made lightly and acknowledged there could be potential ramifications from such a fundamental change, but pledged to provide regular updates as work progresses. Planned changes and timeline Bandai Namco listed six core areas for change: - Camera perspective: The current top-down view will be replaced with a closer, more dynamic camera designed to heighten immersion and better convey Dragon Ball’s signature action, alongside visual updates. - Gameplay rules and maps: Rules and level layouts will be redesigned to simplify comprehension and emphasize fast-paced combat. - Role system: The role structure will be simplified so players can more freely use their preferred characters without role-based performance constraints. - Expanded customization: Cosmetic and presentation systems will be enhanced so items and effects have greater in-match impact, tied to the new camera work. - System simplification and expansion: Character acquisition and interconnected systems will be streamlined, while long-term progression elements will be expanded for engaged players. - Visual updates and presentation improvements across the title. Community engagement and next steps The development team plans an “Overhaul Q&A” on the game’s official Discord to discuss the changes with players and will share a detailed roadmap and anniversary broadcast in the coming weeks. Bandai Namco has set the end of 2026 as the target window for launching the overhaul, with incremental updates to follow. This overhaul represents one of the most significant course corrections for GEKISHIN SQUADRA since launch, with the stated goal of making the MOBA more accessible while retaining depth for committed players.