Don't stop the dance! Just Dance Q+A
Amy Flower
STACK Senior Editor
It’s time for the latest in the hot dancing game series, so we had a quick chat with Just Dance brand director Amelie Louvet about Just Dance 2023 Edition.
This is the 14th main game in the Just Dance canon, and we believe that it’s the final annual boxed (and thus collectible) release. How will Just Dance continue in the future?
We’re excited about the future of Just Dance and what it will bring to our players and community! Just Dance 2023 Edition is the first step in a new era for Just Dance. We’ve renewed several aspects of the game, including a new artistic direction and interface, more personalisation and online multiplayer. In the future, we will continue to see Just Dance evolve as a live-service game where we can bring more content and new features than ever before to our players!
Online is being bolstered by the addition of friend-based multiplayer. Please, tell us more about this feature…
Yes, that’s right! Now, for the first time ever, our players can enjoy Online Groups, a new multiplayer mode which allows them to dance with up to five of their friends no matter where they’re located. There’s also a new sticker system for players to interact with each other when they play in an Online Group together!
With a new overall look coming, what do fans have to look forward to this time out visually?
We’ve a reimagined art style where each song is now a 3D world, and the characters also have more detail and facial features. The new user interface creates a brand-new fresh look and ease for selecting songs, which will help players spend more time dancing to their favourite tracks instead of searching for songs. The interface also has a more intuitive recommendation system giving players a personalised experience based on their playing habits.
With regular free content updates promised, what sort of goodies can we expect to see?
We don’t want to spoil anything too soon, however post launch is an important focus for Just Dance. Although we can’t share any specifics, the game will be continuously updated with new songs, modes, rewards, in game events and seasons.
What sorts of rewards can players look forward to earning in-game this time around?
We have new rewards and the new progression system which players can look forward to. Each time our players dance, they’ll earn in game points which can be used for unlocking rewards. Examples include customising their personal dancer cards for the first time in Just Dance. The dancer cards can be personalised in many ways, such as modifying the avatar, the background, name badge and alias. Rewards can also be used in the Online Groups to redeem in-game stickers they can use to communicate with their friends.
"Just Dance 2023 Edition will be a revamped experience bringing lots of fun to our players."
What’s your favourite new feature for the franchise?
To be honest, I’m really excited for it all! Just Dance 2023 Edition will be a revamped experience bringing lots of fun to our players. In particular, I’m excited to see the game evolve as a live-service and delight players as we introduce new songs, game modes and features throughout the months and years following launch.
The track list has gradually become much more current hit and dance music focused over the years. Can we look forward to any more classic ‘70s, ‘80s even ‘90s original tracks this year?
The track list is something we always look forward to communicating with our players. Just Dance 2023 Edition will have 40 new songs including new hits and classics, we always try to balance the two! As Just Dance transitions to a live game, players will see new songs added to the platform on a seasonal basis.
We believe that there’ll be a whole new app as controller this time out. What added benefits can we look forward to?
Yes, we have a new Just Dance Controller App which is a free app on your smartphone. This new app is only compatible with Just Dance 2023 Edition and it allows our players a new easy way to play the game. Players can use their smartphone as both their browsing controller and scoring device. Using the app, you can add up to six players and it’s available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S.
What was the team’s biggest “Yes!” moment when it came to pinning down a most-wanted track/act for Just Dance 2023 Edition?
I think the Just Dance team had that feeling with a lot of our tracks this year! We’re really excited about the playlist for Just Dance 2023 Edition, which offers a lot of variety to our players. I always love looking at the track list and seeing some of the biggest recording artists like Doja Cat and Dua Lipa. However, the one that stands out for me is Dynamite by BTS. It’s the first time BTS is in Just Dance and we can’t wait to hear what our players think!
What’s your personal favourite jam to get down to in Just Dance 2023 Edition?
It’s hard to pick just one! But I will say that Can’t Stop the Feeling is incredible, because we meet two new characters and we travel through different universes, and see different characters from those past opuses. And the song itself is so feel-good and dancing to it always puts me in a great mood.
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