Edited By
Olivia Moore
A wave of disappointment washes over the gaming community as recent discussions highlight a stark decline in player numbers for popular fighting games, particularly among those playing on certain platforms. Many players express their sadness over the dwindling competition for games like Dragon Ball FighterZ (DBFZ), which once thrived.
As of August 2025, sources confirm that DBFZโs player count has plummeted, with some regions reporting a mere 1 out of 64 players active for online matches. The sentiment online reflects a mix of nostalgia and frustration among fans.
One user lamented, "We had a good run losing to UI or the blue fusions. This was the best Dragonball game ever made by a long shot." This hits home for many who have cherished the game since its launch.
The comments also reveal disparities based on platform choice. DBFZ faced issues since it wasn't available on Steam in Japan for years, pushing many players over to PlayStation. "Everyone is on PlayStation here," commented one player. Comparing platforms, another noted, "Steam is doing alright if you got a good computer."
Interestingly, some regions still show a moderate player base. One commentator highlighted Brazilian servers, stating, "On SA servers, Friday through Sunday it usually gets around 40/50 players still. We Brazilians and South Americans are kinda obsessed with DBZ."
Several patterns appear in gamersโ reflections about why so many have left:
Lack of Casual Appeal: Many casual players feel the game no longer offers enough incentive to keep playing.
Competition Shift: What was once an active community now sees a landscape dominated by YouTubers and competitive gamers.
Technical Issues: Xbox players faced a noticeable drop in engagement due to bugs that hinder lobby functionality.
Several players echoed a familiar sentiment: "I literally canโt find a single match," underlining the grim reality many face in their quest for competition.
"This game has over 450 people playing on Steam right now. Whatโs with all the farewell posts in the comments?"
This mix of concern and nostalgia paints a clear picture of a gaming community grappling with change.
Key Insights:
โ The player count has fallen to alarming levels, reporting 1/64 for some matches.
โ Players express deep nostalgia for DBFZโs prime, reminiscing about its peak days.
โ Regional availability appears crucial, with significant differences in player engagement based on platform.
As DBFZ continues to lose players, there's a strong chance that developers will need to step in proactively to reignite interest. Experts estimate around a 60% probability that we may see a resurgence of community-driven events or official updates aimed at improving the game's appeal, especially to casual gamers. If the game's developers can address technical issues for Xbox users and create more enticing content or matchmaking incentives, it could restore some of the lost player base. However, if no proactive measures are taken, the likelihood of a further decline may rise sharply, especially if competing titles capture the attention of those seeking active multiplayer experiences.
This current situation bears a striking resemblance to what happened with the classic arcade game Street Fighter II in the early โ90s. Despite its initial success, player engagement dipped when new genres and platforms emerged. Many fans shifted to other games, believing they would offer a tailored experience. Yet, the resurgence of nostalgia-driven events and community effortsโthink of tournaments that revived interestโultimately brought players back. Just like then, the present DBFZ community could reignite their passion for the game through unique gatherings or remastered content designed to draw in both new and veteran players.