Simply Dance 2026 Version returns on October 14 with a recent batch of latest options – however one is catching everybody’s eye this 12 months: Digicam Controller mode. Developed by the Simply Dance manufacturing group at Ubisoft Paris, this innovation lets gamers use their whole physique because the controller, just by utilizing their smartphone’s digital camera. It’s a small revolution that makes dancing much more fluid, exact … and enjoyable!
We spoke with Apolline Wasik (Information Scientist), Caitlin Baltus (Rating Stage Designer) – two key members of the event group – and OfHugo, a Star Participant from the Simply Dance neighborhood who examined the function throughout its beta part.
A Recent Path for Simply Dance
The thought for the Digicam Controller started in late 2021, when Xbox introduced the top of Kinect help. “Via the event of Digicam Scoring, we wished to supply another that lets gamers dance freely with out a controller,” explains Apolline Wasik. This new mode depends on the smartphone’s digital camera and leverages advances in 3D human pose detection. “We needed to discover methods to adapt these fashions to the precise context of Simply Dance.”
This challenge additionally responds to a long-standing request from the neighborhood: “For a very long time, our gamers had been asking for an alternative choice to Kinect. Then, we wished to take issues additional with the scoring algorithm, which measures how intently the participant’s actions match these of the coach. […] Due to this know-how, we’re now capable of pinpoint precisely which components of the physique are off and ship a extra correct, full-body rating.”
A Extra Immersive – and Extra Rewarding – Strategy to Be taught
With Digicam Controller, the sensation of freedom is instantaneous. “It introduces a stimulating studying curve: gamers see their scores enhance regularly as they replay the identical choreography, as a result of they’re progressing and refining their actions,” says Apolline.
For Caitlin Baltus, the function fills a spot that had been lacking for the reason that franchise grew to become a unified platform with Simply Dance 2023 Version: “Digicam Controller is the function we wanted for the reason that shift to a unified Simply Dance platform. […] Simply Dance has a aggressive legacy on Kinect, which was by far the popular setup for our core neighborhood due to the liberty it supplied. […] This fashion of enjoying aligns completely with our core gameplay – dance itself. It encourages studying the artwork of dance past the sport.”
And most significantly, it allows a fairer and extra inclusive expertise: “Kinect had limitations associated to recreation surroundings that made scoring imprecise. These points are now not related with our new in-house know-how. It provides again to our neighborhood their favourite mode of play – solely now, improved!”
From the Gamers’ Aspect: a Return to Roots
For OfHugo, the discharge of this function was a turning level: “Since practically the start of my Simply Dance journey, I at all times used Kinect. When the sport was now not launched on Xbox One, it felt like an actual blow to me, by way of each enjoyment and luxury. […] When the beta launched, it felt like hope once more. And after attempting it, excess of hope: the check was a hit!”
He goes on: “[It’s] an intuitive and nice expertise, [with] efficient detection permitting freedom of dance and play once more! […] Now, once I play solo, I exploit solely the Digicam Controller mode. […] Scoring with out a controller, with the entire physique taken under consideration … for me, it’s the one true technique to absolutely play Simply Dance.”
And although he now usually performs in multiplayer, he stays satisfied of the solo mode’s energy: “After I myself began – transitioning from Wii to PS4 to Xbox One – the Kinect expertise is what turned me from an informal participant into … nicely, a Star Participant!”
Tech Constructed Hand in Hand With the Neighborhood
Participant suggestions was central all through the event course of. “Observing qualitative suggestions throughout completely different choreographies helped us affirm the robustness of the algorithm,” notes Apolline.
Caitlin additionally emphasizes the significance of direct neighborhood suggestions: “From a top quality standpoint, we might observe in actual time how the neighborhood was approaching this new Controller and internally regulate our design guidelines accordingly to ship higher challenges. […] Watching streams, movies and prime‑participant suggestions enormously helped us refine our guidelines.”
An In‑Home Innovation, a Workforce Problem
Growing the Digicam Controller represented a primary for Simply Dance: “It’s the primary time we’ve built-in a Machine Studying algorithm on the coronary heart of the sport. […] It was essential to at all times refer again to the sport context when designing the function. […] We even constructed our personal dance movement database with assist from volunteers inside the Simply Dance manufacturing group, to coach a mannequin particular to the sport.”
It was a significant problem – one tackled alongside the continuing manufacturing of standard choreographies. “We needed to ship a real ‘dwell Kinect’ expertise and take Digicam Controller even additional, all whereas persevering with to supply new choreographies,” remembers Caitlin.
“The beta, with 15 songs produced in simply two weeks, allowed us to outline the design guidelines, which we then needed to check, refine, and share with different degree designers world wide.”
Wanting forward, Apolline sees promising challenges: “The standard of 3D pose estimation fashions continues to enhance. One of many challenges might be adapting them to the sport context and making them run on telephones, regardless of their rising complexity.”
An Emotionally Charged Launch
After months of labor, the discharge of Digicam Controller in Simply Dance 2026 is a supply of pleasure for the group. “The passion from gamers motivates us to capitalize on this function and develop extra improvements,” says Apolline.
Caitlin summarizes with emotion: “Seeing neighborhood suggestions provides that means to my work and drives me for future initiatives. […] I had issue acquiring constant scores as a consequence of my hair texture and physique sort. I’m so blissful to now provide a extra inclusive expertise. […] The official launch marks a brand new starting for Simply Dance.”
One factor is definite: with the Digicam Controller, dancing has by no means felt extra free—and Simply Dance has by no means been nearer to its gamers!
Simply Dance 2026 Version might be out there on October 14 on Xbox Collection X|S. Go to the official Simply Dance web site to examine availability on different platforms.
JUST DANCE 2026 EDITION – STANDARD EDITION
Ubisoft
☆☆☆☆☆
133
★★★★★
$49.99
Create unforgettable recollections with Simply Dance 2026 Version!
ENJOY 40 HOT NEW SONGS
From the most well liked hits to timeless classics, there is a music for everybody and each second in our all-new tracklist that includes:
– APT. by ROSÉ & Bruno Mars
– Abracadabra by Girl Gaga
– Good Luck, Babe! by Chappell Roan
– Houdini by Dua Lipa
– Azizam by Ed Sheeran
– VIVA LA VIDA by Coldplay
– Counting Stars by OneRepublic
– Hung Up by Madonna
– All Star by Smash Mouth
– DRIP by BABYMONSTER
And lots of extra!
BRING YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY TO THE PARTY
Dance solo, in co-op, or get aggressive:
– Dance with as much as 6 gamers in native multiplayer!
– Workforce up for an unpredictable dance showdown within the new Social gathering mode!
– Or compete to show who has one of the best strikes in Problem mode!
DISCOVER ENDLESS WAYS TO DANCE
There is a Simply Dance expertise for everybody:
– Use your entire physique with Digicam Controller mode in your telephone.*
– Get energetic with Exercise mode, monitoring energy burned whereas enjoying.
– All content material you personal from the 2023, 2024, 2025, or 2026 Editions of Simply Dance is offered in a single place!
– Dance to a whole lot of songs with 1 month of free entry to Simply Dance+.**
*A smartphone with the free Simply Dance Controller app is required to trace your strikes together with within the Digicam Controller Mode, no extra equipment required!
**Simply Dance+ is a streaming service, playable through Simply Dance 2026 Version, that grants entry to extra songs. Phrases and situations apply. Requires Ubisoft Account, console account, persistent web entry, and the fee of a payment and/or an ongoing subscription payment. Age and territorial restrictions apply.
Web connection, Ubisoft account, Microsoft Account and Recreation Cross Final or Core (subscriptions bought individually) required to entry on-line multiplayer/options.
