Just Dance 2021

Just Dance 2021 is a 2020 dance rhythm game developed and published by Ubisoft. It was unveiled on August 26, 2020 during the Nintendo Direct Mini: Partner Showcase August 2020 web presentation as the twelfth main installment of the series,^[1] and was released on November 12, 2020, for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Stadia, and on November 24, 2020, for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.^[2][3][4] It is the first game in the series since the initial title not to be announced at E3, due to the event's cancellation in 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is also the first game in the main series not to be released for the Wii and the first game in the series not to be available on a Nintendo optical disc.^[5]

Gameplay

As with the previous installments of the franchise, players must mimic the on-screen dancer's choreography to a chosen song using either motion controllers (excluding the ninth generation consoles and Stadia) or the game's associated smartphone app. The Stadia version also allows the use of a gamepad and a keyboard for menu navigation.

Its user interface and features are largely identical to Just Dance 2019 and Just Dance 2020. Changes include the "World Dance Floor" now being revamped with a three-song competitive tournament in three separate rooms that matches a player's level with other players of a similar level, Chill Panda (Beginner), Fabulous Hippo (Intermediate), and Fierce Deer (Expert), and a new results screen that details the player's accuracy rate in performing the moves, which is only shown when playing solo.^[6][7] The game also features a new mode, known as "Quick Play" mode, in which the game randomly shuffles a song to make it easy for players to jump right into dancing without the struggle of choosing a song to dance to.^[8]

Production

The production of Just Dance 2021 amidst the global COVID-19 pandemic presented a series of formidable challenges for the development team at Ubisoft Paris.^[9] With stringent lockdown measures in place and a shift towards remote work, the team encountered significant obstacles in maintaining the momentum of their annual release schedule.^[9] Efforts to navigate these challenges were spearheaded by implementing innovative solutions to ensure the game's timely release, including a comprehensive overhaul of traditional production methodologies to accommodate remote collaboration while upholding the game's established brand strategy.^[9] Managing team dynamics remotely emerged as a pivotal concern, with heightened communication strategies such as frequent individual check-ins and informal team catchups becoming essential to maintain cohesion and morale among the thirteen-member team.^[9] Additionally, the imperative of in-person filming posed unique logistical hurdles amidst social distancing mandates, necessitating strict adherence to safety protocols and meticulous scheduling adjustments to safeguard the well-being of the production team while adhering to health guidelines.^[9]

In the creation of Just Dance 2021, the development team at Ubisoft Paris embraced a commitment to diversity and inclusivity, particularly evident in their efforts to introduce a more varied cast of characters, including disabled dancers, into the game's universe.^[10] Led by Sarrah El-Meddeb, Costume Manager for the Just Dance franchise, the creative process began with brainstorming sessions to translate the emotions evoked by each song into unique visual universes, aiming to foster an inclusive atmosphere and represent a diverse array of dancing styles and body types.^[10]

COVID-19 lockdown difficulties

The production of Just Dance 2021 amidst the global

Managing team dynamics remotely emerged as a pivotal concern. With a team of thirteen individuals, maintaining cohesion and morale required heightened communication strategies, including frequent individual check-ins and informal team catchups.[9] For the imperative of in-person filming posed unique logistical hurdles amidst social distancing mandates.^[9] Strict adherence to safety protocols, coupled with meticulous scheduling adjustments, became imperative to safeguard the well-being of the production team while adhering to health guidelines.^[9]

Despite these challenges, the team remained steadfast in their commitment to delivering Just Dance 2021 on schedule across multiple platforms.^[9] This entailed navigating the pressure to meet community expectations while fostering team motivation and cohesion amidst unprecedented circumstances.^[9] The critical role of clear communication and visual aids in aligning team objectives, particularly in a remote work environment, was emphasized. By fostering autonomy and streamlining decision-making processes, the team maintained productivity and focus throughout the production cycle.^[9]

Diversity

In the creation of Just Dance 2021, the development team at Ubisoft Paris embraced a commitment to diversity and inclusivity, particularly evident in their efforts to introduce a more varied cast of characters, including disabled dancers, into the game's universe.^[10] Led by Sarrah El-Meddeb, Costume Manager for the Just Dance franchise, the creative process began with brainstorming sessions to translate the emotions evoked by each song into unique visual universes.^[10] This approach aimed to foster an inclusive atmosphere and represent a diverse array of dancing styles and body types.^[10]

“In the past few years, we have been working hard on bringing more diversity into Just Dance,” El-Meddeb explained. The character style helps players identify with the dancers, but it can also erase diversity.^[11] “To help with that, we are committed to having a strong and diverse cast of dancers who have bodies of all shapes, to better represent our players and make sure they feel like they belong to the world of Just Dance,” El-Meddeb told us.^[10]

A notable example of this commitment to diversity is showcased in the

In the words of Sarrah El-Meddeb, "To help with that, we are committed to having a strong and diverse cast of dancers who have bodies of all shapes, to better represent our players and make sure they feel like they belong to the world of Just Dance."[10] This dedication to inclusivity and representation underscores the game's broader mission to celebrate the joy of dance in all its forms, while also promoting positive social change and acceptance.^[10]

Soundtrack

The following songs appear on Just Dance 2021:^[13]

Kids Mode

The following songs appear on the Kids Mode of the game:

Just Dance Unlimited

Just Dance Unlimited continues to be offered on 2021 for eighth-generation consoles and Stadia, featuring a streaming library of new and existing songs.^[14] The service also made its debut on ninth-generation consoles with the release of 2021.

Songs exclusive to Just Dance Unlimited include:

References

External links

• Official website