Dragon Ball Online is set in Age 1000, exactly 216 years after Son Goku left the 28th Tenkaichi Budokai to train Uub in Age 784, in Dragon Ball Online Gold Z. During this period time, a number of notable events have occured, including the appearance of a Majin race, the arrival of what appear to be Yardratians in the Southern Galaxy, and most recently, a gulf forming in time. The Earth has also been divided into pieces by a villainous organization known as the Dark Eye, which is lead by a mysterious individual.
 

As with other MMORPGs, players control a character avatar within a persistent game world, where they will be able to explore the landscape, search for the Dragon Balls, train to compete in the Tenkaichi Budokai, aspiring to become like the warriors of legend, as well as interacting with NPCs as well as other players. As in most MMORPGs, players will be able to obtain money and experience which will allow them to level up and obtain new abilities. Players will also be able to participate in "Timemachine Quests", in which they will receive guidance from Time Patrol Trunks, in order to travel back in time and take part in notable aspects of the Dragon Ball Online Gold history.