It looks like the mystery surrounding Dragon Ball: Age 1000 may have been solved earlier than intended and not through an official press release.
An apparent misstep on Bandai Namco’s Southeast Asian YouTube channel has revealed that the previously codenamed project is actually Dragon Ball Xenoverse 3.
The discovery came after eagle-eyed fans noticed the Age 1000 reveal trailer had been placed inside a now-deleted playlist titled “DRAGON BALL Xenoverse 3.” The playlist was quickly removed, but not before screenshots began circulating online.
While Bandai Namco has yet to formally confirm the connection, the evidence strongly suggests that Age 1000 is the long-awaited third entry in the Xenoverse series.
A Sequel Nearly a Decade in the Making
If confirmed, Xenoverse 3 would mark the first new mainline entry since Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2, which launched in October 2016.
That’s nearly ten years without a numbered sequel an unusually long gap for a franchise that has otherwise remained consistently active across multiple genres.
Despite its age, Xenoverse 2 has maintained impressive longevity thanks to regular updates, balance changes, and steady DLC support. The game’s core appeal letting players create their own custom fighter within the Dragon Ball universe proved sticky in a way few licensed anime titles manage to achieve.
Instead of retelling the series beat-for-beat, the Xenoverse formula allowed players to step into altered timelines, rewrite iconic battles, and fight alongside or against legendary characters. It struck a balance between fan service and original storytelling that resonated deeply with longtime followers.
Not Dragon Ball Online – But Something Bigger
When Age 1000 was first revealed back in January, some fans speculated it might be a spiritual successor to Dragon Ball Online, the 2010 MMORPG that explored a far-future timeline in the Dragon Ball canon.
That assumption wasn’t entirely out of nowhere. The “Age 1000” naming convention lines up with Dragon Ball’s in-universe timeline structure, and Dragon Ball Online notably took place in Age 1000.
However, if the playlist slip is anything to go by, Bandai Namco appears to be doubling down on the Xenoverse brand instead of reviving the MMO format. That likely means a continued focus on action RPG mechanics, character creation, and timeline-hopping narrative twists albeit potentially on a much larger scale.
Featuring Work From Akira Toriyama
One of the most significant details surrounding the project is that it includes contributions from Akira Toriyama himself.
Although Toriyama tragically passed away in 2024, development on Age 1000 reportedly began more than five years ago. As a result, he was able to contribute to the world-building process and design brand-new characters for the game.
That involvement alone gives the project additional weight. Toriyama’s original designs and lore concepts have always been central to Dragon Ball’s identity, and his fingerprints on Xenoverse 3 would likely be a major draw for fans.
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More News Coming at Battle Hour
Official clarification may not be far off. More details on the game are expected during Dragon Ball Games Battle Hour on April 18 and 19.
If the leak holds true, fans can likely expect a full gameplay breakdown, confirmation of platforms, and perhaps a deeper look at how the series plans to evolve after such a long gap.
In the meantime, the playlist mishap has done what any accidental reveal does best spark conversation.
After nearly a decade, the Xenoverse name appears ready to return. And if Bandai Namco’s slip-up is accurate, Age 1000 isn’t a mysterious spin-off after all.
It’s the next chapter.
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