Software:Just Dance 2023 Edition
| Just Dance 2023 Edition | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Ubisoft Paris Ubisoft Pune Ubisoft Shanghai Ubisoft Mumbai |
| Publisher(s) | Ubisoft |
| Series | Just Dance |
| Engine | Unity[1] |
| Platform(s) | |
| Release | November 22, 2022 |
| Genre(s) | Rhythm |
| Mode(s) | |
Just Dance 2023 Edition is a 2022 dance rhythm game developed and published by Ubisoft. It was unveiled on September 10, 2022 during the Ubisoft Forward September 2022 web presentation as the fourteenth main installment of the series. It marks a new release form for the series, switching to a live service format with annual downloadable content song packs.[2][3] The game was released on November 22, 2022, for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.[4] It was also planned for release on Stadia, but that port of the game was cancelled due to the service's shutdown on January 18, 2023.[5]
Gameplay
As with the previous installments of the franchise, players must mimic the on-screen coach’s choreography to a chosen song using the game's associated smartphone app (Nintendo Switch players have the option to use the console's Joy-Con controllers). This installment is not released for Xbox One and PlayStation 4, thereby dropping support for Kinect, PlayStation Camera, and PlayStation Move.[6]
Features
The game features an updated and redesigned user interface, which emulates those seen on streaming services, such as Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Max, Paramount+ and Peacock, all within a single Just Dance hub, serving as the home for the game and future installments of the series.[7] A new online multiplayer feature is added, where up to six players can join a private group with cross-play support at launch, with the Xbox Series X/S version later being supported.[8] Dancer cards, an in-game tool to express what the player was doing in-game, received a major overhaul, with avatars now being pictures of the coaches instead of their heads,[9] and emotes are added to show how the player feels after each song.[3] Score feedback animations can now be customized and are a toggleable option. Victory celebrations are a new addition, used for when the player finishes the song in single player or wins the song in multiplayer.[10] Cross-progression is a new feature to the Just Dance series, allowing players to progress through multiple consoles. Furthermore, the "Beat Vibrations" function, which has been exclusive to the Nintendo Switch version of previous installments, has been added to the Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5 versions.[11]
On October 9, "Workout Mode", a mode designed for exercise, and "Challenge Mode", an online mode where a player attempts to beat a pre-set higher score from another player, are added as part of the 2024 Edition Celebration Event.[12]
Story mode
2023 Edition includes a story mode-based playlist, a first in the series, titled "Enter the Danceverses". It features a woman named Sara, who is transported from the real world to a series of ten worlds called the "Danceverses" by a man named Wanderlust.[13] The two must stop the evil witch Night Swan from conquering the Danceverses. They recruit a team of expert dancers—Brezziana, Mihaly and Jack Rose (Night Swan's son)—and defeat Night Swan and her mind-controlled soldiers in a dance battle. The soldiers are freed, but Night Swan escapes. The group celebrates before Wanderlust sends Sara back to the real world.[14][15][16]
A follow-up to this story, titled "Dance with the Swan", is part of 2024 Edition.[17][18]
Soundtrack
The following songs appear on Just Dance 2023 Edition:[19][20][21]
| Song | Artist | Year |
|---|---|---|
| "Anything I Do" | CLiQ featuring Ms Banks and Alika | 2018 |
| "As It Was" | Harry Styles | 2022 |
| "Boy with Luv" | BTS featuring Halsey | 2019 |
| "Bring Me to Life" | Evanescence | 2003 |
| "Can't Stop the Feeling!"[lower-alpha 1] | Justin Timberlake | 2016 |
| "Danger! High Voltage" | Electric Six | 2002 |
| "Disco Inferno" | The Trammps | 1976 |
| "Drivers License" | Olivia Rodrigo | 2021 |
| "Dynamite" | BTS | 2020 |
| "Good Ones" | Charli XCX | 2021 |
| "Heat Waves" | Glass Animals | 2020 |
| "I Knew You Were Trouble (Taylor's Version)" | Taylor Swift | 2021 |
| "If You Wanna Party"[lower-alpha 1] | The Just Dancers | 2022 |
| "Jamais Lâcher"[lower-alpha 2] | Michou | 2022 |
| "Locked Out of Heaven"[lower-alpha 1] | Bruno Mars | 2012 |
| "Love Me Land" | Zara Larsson | 2020 |
| "Magic" | Kylie Minogue | 2020 |
| "Majesty"[lower-alpha 1] | Apashe featuring Wasiu | 2018 |
| "Million Dollar Baby" | Ava Max | 2022 |
| "More"[lower-alpha 3] | K/DA featuring Madison Beer, (G)I-dle, Lexie Liu, Jaira Burns and Seraphine | 2020 |
| "Numb" | Linkin Park | 2003 |
| "Physical"[lower-alpha 1] | Dua Lipa | 2020 |
| "Playground"[lower-alpha 3] | Bea Miller | 2021 |
| "Psycho" | Red Velvet | 2019 |
| "Radioactive" | Imagine Dragons | 2012 |
| "Rather Be"[lower-alpha 1] | Clean Bandit featuring Jess Glynne | 2013 |
| "Sissy That Walk" | RuPaul | 2014 |
| "Stay" | The Kid Laroi and Justin Bieber | 2021 |
| "Sweet but Psycho" | Ava Max | 2018 |
| "Telephone" | Lady Gaga featuring Beyoncé | 2010 |
| "Therefore I Am" | Billie Eilish | 2020 |
| "Top of the World"[lower-alpha 4] | Shawn Mendes | 2022 |
| "Toxic"[lower-alpha 5] | Britney Spears | 2004 |
| "Walking on Sunshine" | Top Culture (as made famous by Katrina and the Waves) | 1985 |
| "Wannabe" | Itzy | 2020 |
| "Watch Out for This (Bumaye)" | Major Lazer featuring Busy Signal, The Flexican and FS Green | 2013 |
| "We Don't Talk About Bruno" | Cast of Disney's Encanto | 2021 |
| "Witch"[lower-alpha 1] | Apashe featuring Alina Pash | 2021 |
| "Woman" | Doja Cat | 2021 |
| "Wouldn't It Be Nice" | The Sunlight Shakers (as made famous by The Beach Boys) | 1966 |
| "Zooby Doo" | Tigermonkey | 2016 |
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Also part of the "Enter the Danceverses" playlist
- ↑ Only available as a French-exclusive track on the soundtrack
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Tie in to League of Legends
- ↑ Tie in to Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile, with the titular character being the coach of the song.
- ↑ Appeared in Just Dance 2 with a different routine, which appears in the game as an alternate routine
Just Dance+
Just Dance+ is a new subscription service launched alongside 2023 Edition.[22] Similar to Just Dance Unlimited from the previous seven games, it offers subscription-based access to a streaming library of songs (150 songs at launch) from previous Just Dance games alongside new exclusive tracks.[23] Recently ported songs from previous Just Dance games, as well as songs exculsive to the service, are added through frequent updates.
Songs exclusive to the service include:
| Song | Artist | Year | Release date |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Farfalle"[24][lower-alpha 1][lower-alpha 2] | Sangiovanni | 2022 | January 6, 2023 |
| "Ubu Love"[24][lower-alpha 1][lower-alpha 3] | Naniwa Danshi | 2021 | January 6, 2023 |
| "Woman" ("VIP" alternate routine)[24][lower-alpha 1][lower-alpha 4] | Doja Cat | 2021 | January 12, 2023 |
| "Vleugels"[24][lower-alpha 1][lower-alpha 5] | K3 | 2022 | January 12, 2023 |
| "Stay" ("VIP" alternate routine)[24][lower-alpha 1][lower-alpha 6] | The Kid Laroi and Justin Bieber | 2021 | January 19, 2023 |
| "ABC (Nicer)"[lower-alpha 7][lower-alpha 8] | Gayle | 2021 | February 27, 2023 |
| "Thank U, Next"[lower-alpha 7] | Ariana Grande | 2018 | March 9, 2023 |
| "Wet Tennis"[lower-alpha 7][lower-alpha 9] | Sofi Tukker | 2022 | March 16, 2023 |
| "Provenza"[lower-alpha 7][lower-alpha 9] | Karol G | 2022 | March 30, 2023 |
| "About Damn Time"[lower-alpha 7] | Lizzo | 2022 | April 6, 2023 |
| "SloMo"[lower-alpha 10][lower-alpha 11] | Chanel | 2022 | May 9, 2023 |
| "Give That Wolf a Banana"[lower-alpha 10] | Subwoolfer | 2022 | May 17, 2023 |
| "Euphoria"[lower-alpha 10] | Loreen | 2012 | May 25, 2023 |
| "Beggin'"[lower-alpha 10] | Måneskin | 2017 | June 15, 2023 |
| "Trenulețul"[lower-alpha 10] | Zdob și Zdub and Advahov Brothers | 2021 | June 22, 2023 |
| "Dare to Live"[lower-alpha 12][25] | Trady | 2021 | June 29, 2023 |
| "Sunroof"[lower-alpha 13][lower-alpha 14] | Nicky Youre and Dazy | 2021 | July 20, 2023 |
| "Bloody Mary"[lower-alpha 13] | Lady Gaga | 2011 | July 27, 2023 |
| "Miraculous"[26][lower-alpha 15][lower-alpha 16][lower-alpha 17] | Lou and Lenni-Kim | 2017 | August 10, 2023 |
| "Sacrifice"[lower-alpha 13] | The Weeknd | 2022 | August 17, 2023 |
| "DJ Got Us Fallin' in Love"[lower-alpha 13] | Usher | 2010 | August 24, 2023 |
| "A Whole New World"[lower-alpha 18] | Brad Kane and Lea Salonga | 1992 | December 5, 2023 |
| "Zero to Hero"[lower-alpha 18] | Disney's Hercules | 1997 | December 5, 2023 |
| "When Will My Life Begin?"[lower-alpha 18] | Mandy Moore | 2010 | January 9, 2024 |
| "I'll Make a Man Out of You"[lower-alpha 18] | Donny Osmond | 1998 | January 9, 2024 |
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 2023 Edition World Tour Event
- ↑ Also available as an Italian-exclusive track on the soundtrack
- ↑ Also available as a Japanese-exclusive track on the soundtrack
- ↑ Also available as a Canadian-exclusive routine on the game
- ↑ Also available as a Benelux region-exclusive track on the soundtrack
- ↑ Also available as a Korean-exclusive routine on the game
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 2023 Edition Season 1: Lover Coaster
- ↑ Free for a limited time from February 27 to March 9
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Free for a limited time from March 30 to April 6
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 2023 Edition Season 2: Showdown (Tie-in to the Eurovision Song Contest)
- ↑ Free for a limited time from May 9 to 17
- ↑ Also appeared in the Chinese version of Just Dance 2020
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 2023 Edition Season 3: Beach, Summer & Vampires
- ↑ Free for a limited time from July 20 to 27
- ↑ Credited as "Miraculous Official Theme Song".
- ↑ Tie in to Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir, with the titular characters being the coaches.
- ↑ Free for a limited time from August 10 to 16
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 2024 Edition Season 1: Disney Magical Time
Controversy
On March 20, 2023, a union claimed that ten percent of Ubisoft's employees experienced burnouts and work stoppages every four weeks during the production of Just Dance 2023 Edition.[27]
Reception
| Reception | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||||||||||||
Just Dance 2023 Edition received "generally favorable reviews", according to Metacritic.[28][29][30]
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | The Game Accessibility Conference | Best Representation | "Radioactive" routine | Won | [33] |
| Kids' Choice Awards | Favorite Video Game | Just Dance 2023 | Nominated | [34] |
Future
In an interview with JB Hi-Fi in November 2022, Just Dance brand director Amelie Louvet confirmed that 2023 Edition would be the final annual installment in the main series, with all further content, including new songs, game modes and features, being added to the game through online updates "throughout the months and years following launch".[35] In another interview with creative director Matthew Tomkinson, he further confirmed that the series will still release yearly installments through annual song packs instead of new games, and players owning 2023 Edition and future Editions can play with each other online.[17]
The next annual song pack, entitled Just Dance 2024 Edition, was released on October 24, 2023.[36]
References
- ↑ Tomkinson, Matthew (2022-10-09). "Just Dance 2023 está hecho de cero con un nuevo motor gráfico" (in en-es). https://nintenduo.com/just-dance-2023-hecho-cero-nuevo-motor-grafico/.
- ↑ "Just Dance 2023 Reveal and Gameplay Overview | Ubisoft Forward 2022". IGN. September 10, 2022. https://www.ign.com/videos/just-dance-2023-reveal-and-gameplay-overview-ubisoft-forward-2022.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Vicencio, Chastity (10 September 2022). "Just Dance 2023 Edition Coming November 22". https://news.ubisoft.com/en-gb/article/6nMqFRFRzngDVV28z0fRaz/just-dance-2023-edition-coming-november-22.
- ↑ Conditt, Jess (10 September 2022). "'Just Dance 2023' goes live November 22nd with online multiplayer". Engadget. https://www.engadget.com/just-dance-2023-online-multiplayer-release-date-202044681.html.
- ↑ Cranz, Alex (2022-09-29). "Google is shutting down Stadia" (in en-US). https://www.theverge.com/2022/9/29/23378713/google-stadia-shutting-down-game-streaming-january-2023.
- ↑ "Just Dance finally dumps Kinect and Xbox One with Just Dance 2023 - OnMSFT.com" (in en-US). 2022-11-29. https://www.onmsft.com/news/just-dance-2023-kinect-xboxone-xboxseriesx/.
- ↑ "Review: ‘Just Dance 2023’ welcomes a new era of dancing with a unique story" (in en-US). 2022-12-19. https://www.lifestyleasia.com/kl/tech/just-dance-2023-review/.
- ↑ Doolan, Liam (10 September 2022). "Ubisoft Announces Just Dance 2023 Edition, Out On Switch This November". https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2022/09/ubisoft-announces-just-dance-2023-edition-out-on-switch-this-november.
- ↑ (in en) Just Dance 2023 Edition - Discover the New Features, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_y_7qOz4QI, retrieved 2023-03-07
- ↑ "How to unlock rewards - Just Dance 2023 Edition Unlockables for Nintendo Switch" (in en). https://www.chaptercheats.com/cheat/switch/574693/Just-Dance-2023-Edition/unlocks/123970/.
- ↑ "Version 1.0.4 – Patch Notes" (in en-gb). 2022-12-19. https://www.ubisoft.com/en-gb/game/just-dance/2022/news-updates/5zntUC0FvhAEpKJt0S2njc/version-104-patch-notes.
- ↑ (in en) Just Dance 2024 Edition - What’s coming in the October Update, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROBgNQ_J59A, retrieved 2023-10-16
- ↑ Lucas (2022-11-18). "Backstage Passes To The Behind The Scenes of Just Dance 2023 Edition" (in en-US). https://www.gamerbraves.com/backstage-passes-to-the-behind-the-scenes-of-just-dance-2023-edition/.
- ↑ The ENTIRE Lore in Just Dance 2023 (Video game). littlesiha. 2023-08-04 – via YouTube.
- ↑ Just Dance 2023 Edition [@justdancegame] (December 14, 2022). "Discover the adventure of the #JustDance coaches in our latest story trailer. Enter the danceverses!" (in en). https://twitter.com/justdancegame/status/1603072588804198401.
- ↑ "10 Pieces Of Just Dance Lore No One Noticed" (in en). 2023-03-11. https://www.cbr.com/esports-just-dance-hidden-lore/.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 "Just Dance 2024 Edition – Creative Director Discusses New Features and Just Dance+ Year 2" (in en-us). https://news.ubisoft.com/en-us/article/46x1UBq2NnddjNuESroGBY/just-dance-2024-edition-creative-director-discusses-new-features-and-just-dance-year-2.
- ↑ (in en) Just Dance 2024 Edition - Story Playlist Trailer, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIxWHKmP3_k, retrieved 2023-10-11
- ↑ Chin, Carmen (14 September 2022). "'Just Dance 2023' to feature BTS' 'Dynamite' and ITZY's 'Wannabe' on tracklist". NME. https://www.nme.com/en_au/news/gaming-news/just-dance-2023-to-feature-bts-dynamite-and-itzys-wannabe-on-tracklist-3310100.
- ↑ Apsey, Joe (21 November 2022). "Just Dance 2023 song list and track list". The Loadout. https://www.theloadout.com/just-dance/2023-song-list.
- ↑ "Just Dance 2023 Edition Song List". Nintendo Insider. 22 November 2022. https://www.nintendo-insider.com/just-dance-2023-edition-song-list/.
- ↑ "Just Dance Plus – everything to know about the new service". The Loadout. 22 November 2022. https://www.theloadout.com/just-dance/plus.
- ↑ "다양한 K-pop과 인기 팝송이 수록된 『저스트 댄스 2023 에디션』이 발매됩니다" (in korean). Nintendo Korea. 11 November 2022. https://www.nintendo.co.kr/news/view.php?no=dHdtRnZwSkU2a2FnYjYwVE81VlVwUT09.
- ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 24.3 24.4 World Tour Event | Just Dance+. Just Dance. January 7, 2023. Retrieved January 7, 2023 – via YouTube.
- ↑ "The song "Dare To Live" by Cui Di comes out on Just Dance+ today" (in en). https://twitter.com/justdancegame/status/1539277093426569216?lang=en.
- ↑ rawmeatcowboy (2023-08-10). "Just Dance 2023 Edition "Miraculous Official Theme Song" music video" (in en). https://gonintendo.com/contents/24283-just-dance-2023-edition-miraculous-official-theme-song-music-video.
- ↑ Brown, Andy (2023-03-22). "Ubisoft's 'Just Dance 2023' allegedly burned out 10 per cent of its developers" (in en-GB). https://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news/ubisofts-just-dance-2023-allegedly-burned-out-10-per-cent-of-its-developers-3417500.
- ↑ 28.0 28.1 "Just Dance 2023 Edition for Xbox Series X Reviews" (in en). https://www.metacritic.com/game/just-dance-2023-edition/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-series-x.
- ↑ 29.0 29.1 "Just Dance 2023 Edition for Switch Reviews" (in en). https://www.metacritic.com/game/just-dance-2023-edition/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch.
- ↑ 30.0 30.1 "Just Dance 2023 Edition for PlayStation 5 Reviews" (in en). https://www.metacritic.com/game/just-dance-2023-edition/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-5.
- ↑ O'Reilly, PJ (2022-11-24). "Review: Just Dance 2023 Edition - Some Welcome Changes To The Old Routine" (in en-GB). https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/just-dance-2023-edition.
- ↑ Peeples, Jeremy (2022-11-26). "Review: Just Dance 2023 - Hardcore Gamer" (in en-US). https://hardcoregamer.com/reviews/review-just-dance-2023/430569/.
- ↑ "GACONF AWARDS". The Game Accessibility Conference. January 25, 2023. https://www.gaconf.com/2022-awards.
- ↑ McPherson, Christopher (January 31, 2023). "Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards 2023 Nominees Include 'Top Gun: Maverick' and 'Obi-Wan Kenobi'". https://collider.com/nickelodeon-kids-choice-awards-2023-nominees/.
- ↑ Flower, Amy (2022-11-14). "Don't stop the dance! Just Dance Q+A" (in en). https://www.jbhifi.com.au/blogs/games/dont-stop-the-dance-just-dance-q-and-a.
- ↑ "Just Dance 2024 Edition: Nintendo Switch™, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S" (in en-gb). https://www.ubisoft.com/en-gb/game/just-dance/2024.
External links
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