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Dragon Quest series creator Yuji Horii held a livestream with his radio show group KosoKoso Hōsō Kyoku on February 8. During the stream, the developer gave a small but reassuring update on the progress of Dragon Quest XII: The Flames of Fate.

Horii comments that the development team is “working hard on Dragon Quest 12” and that he hopes to release new information about the game little by little. His previous update on the new Dragon Quest game came in May last year, shortly after it was announced that the series’ lead producer Yu Miyake would be stepping down from his position and heading to Square Enix’s mobile game division. This news, paired with the general lack of updates on Dragon Quest 12, caused concerns about the project potentially being cancelled, which Horii apologized for and denied.

Fortunately, it seems that development has progressed in the meantime as the team is now in the position to slowly release information to the public.

Dragon Quest 12 was initially announced back in 2021 as a new mainline entry and follow-up to 2017’s Dragon Quest 11. We haven’t heard or seen much about the game ever since its initial teaser video from three years ago, but we do know that it aims to shake up the Dragon Quest series’ formula with a darker, more mature approach. It will overhaul the traditional command battle system and feature a scenario that demands players to make choices. The game runs in Unreal Engine 5 and is being co-developed by HEXADRIVE and ORCA alongside Square Enix.

Dragon Quest 12 is still fully in development, new information to be revealed “little by little,” says series creator - AUTOMATON WEST

Dragon Quest series creator Yuji Horii gives update on progress of Dragon Quest 12: The Flames of Fate's development.

automaton-media.com

 

[Danny Dudekisser]

"Little by little" has definitely been the flow of information so far, my God.

Honestly, I hope this is the last one. Two of the major dudes are dead, Horii's super old. The series had a great run, and I'd like to see it end on a high note.

 

[Mister Wolf]

I'd rather they not show anything until they are less than a year from release. All games should be handled like that.

 

[ProtoByte]

This thing was announced in 2021. Drip feeds are always annoying, but this would be straight up sacrilege.
If you can't show up with a blowout, get back into the studio and crunch!

 

[HRK69]

I hope this is the last one. Two of the major dudes are dead, Horii's super old. The series had a great run, and I'd like to see it end on a high note.

Yeah, they really need to stop making these fun games

So strange

 

[Seyken]

Honestly, I hope this is the last one. Two of the major dudes are dead, Horii's super old. The series had a great run, and I'd like to see it end on a high note.

Sure, let's have Square Enix kill one of their core pillars that still brings in money instead of passing the baton to a new generation of devs.

 

[Eimran]

Having fun games and thinking "they really need to stop making these"

So strange

It's like the assasin's Creed franchise. I remember being so hyped when the AC1 was announced and the excitement I saw when I first saw Ezio.

At this moment I'm more excited about the size of my dump after visiting our mexican than a new assasin's creed.

Sure DQ isn't some yearly slop but if it loses it's character (because of key figures not being in the company), infested with woke crap... I'd rather see it end on a high note too.


OT: I still have high hopes for DQXII. Has always been my favorite franchise. My biggest fantasy however is seeing DQVIII on the PS5.
The recent DQIII port gave me some hope

 

[Madserb2023]

I would still like a next gen remaster of 11s with the better graphics of the original release.

 

[Hudo]

My theory still is that they might show something with the Switch 2 reveal. The fact that we haven't even seen some art from Toriyama (RIP) makes me suspicious. They even revealed the hero design of DQ11 comparatively early.
Or: They'll wait for DQ Day some time in May (I think?)

 

[Hudo]

Honestly, I hope this is the last one. Two of the major dudes are dead, Horii's super old. The series had a great run, and I'd like to see it end on a high note.

Sugiyama had someone study/serve/help under him. It's likely that the guy will assume the role of composer. As for Toriyama, he already has a successor in place with Toyotarou. As for Horii, I think it is safe to say that he also has younger directors work under him who hopefully have learnt something. Horii suggested that DQ12 is designed with the future in mind (whatever that exactly means).
DQ13 will show whether the series can continue without the OGs or not, imho. And DQ is too valuable of an IP for Square to just let it rot after DQ12.

 

[ClosBSAS]

Man cant wait. 11 was my fav jrpg that year by far hands down

 

[Davevil]

After you've raped FF, don't try it again with DQ

 

[Physiognomonics]

I really hope they are going to evolve those games. I couldn't finish 11 and find it worse than 9 which was peak for me.

 

[Cao Cao]

What a time, having to wait 7-10 years to get another AAA JRPG.
The golden era gave me 2-3 good JRPGs every single year. FF7,8,9 came out in span of 3 years!
Now you have to wait a decade... DISGUSTING!

Maybe go back to PS2 graphics or Pre Rendered backgrounds like FF7 you stupid devs, no one needs highest quality graphics.

 

[NeoIkaruGAF]

The development cycle has become as slow as the games themselves, I see.
It’s funny to read that they’re developing the game “with the future in mind”. DQ is one of the most conservative game series in existence. Adherence to tradition has always been the strength of the brand.

 

[Lokaum D+]

No mid OST and no turn based

 

[Sephimoth]

BLOODY GET ON WITH IT

 

[Werewolf Jones]

Sure, let's have Square Enix kill one of their core pillars that still brings in money instead of passing the baton to a new generation of devs.

The DQ games has had major work from their holy trinity from I to XI. It's yet to be proven that anyone can handle the series otherwise.

 

[Mibu no ookami]

I see the same people complaining about drip feed info complain about not hearing more news early.

Which is it going to be? Pick one.

 

[Grizzled Ghost]

I may be in a 1-man strong minority here, but I wish they'd finally change their art style.

I've never been a fan of Toriama's wig-swap style of character design.

 

[Hyet]

I don't mind waiting if they also do IV, V and VI in HD-2D just like they are doing qith the Erdrik trilogy. But I wonder what's taking them so long. I hope they aren't going into a weird and edgy "westernified" direction like Tales of Arise did.

 

[Seyken]

The DQ games has had major work from their holy trinity from I to XI. It's yet to be proven that anyone can handle the series otherwise.

That's the thing, no one else has been given the chance to handle the main series other than Horii. Love the dude, but getting old is inevitable and at some point he will have to hand it over. Hopefully whoever gets it takes good care of it, it's a very beloved franchise. But to not even give it a try would be terrible decision-making.

 

[Hudo]

I don't mind waiting if they also do IV, V and VI in HD-2D just like they are doing qith the Erdrik trilogy. But I wonder what's taking them so long. I hope they aren't going into a weird and edgy "westernified" direction like Tales of Arise did.

I think V deserves a full-on remake.

 

[MagiusNecros]

I think V deserves a full-on remake.

Meh. DQ9 port. Fight me.

 

[Scrawnton]

I think V deserves a full-on remake.

That already got a Japan-only complete remake for PS2. Just build upon that with modern lighting and it's the perfect starting spot for a modern remake. I don't want a full 3D remake like Trials of Mana.

Meh. DQ9 port. Fight me.

Dragon Quest IX would be a prime candidate for a remake. Keep the camera perspective but modernize the graphics to make it more like the DQX offline remake. Make the multiplayer seamless drop on drop out and you have something special there.

 

[jshackles]

Meh. DQ9 port. Fight me.

Honestly, I preferred 9 over 11. I actually preferred 10 Offline over 11. And now I'm gonna have to tell people to fight me too.

 

[amigastar]

Dragon Quest VII on the 3DS will always have a special place in my heart since its my first Dragon Quest.
I'm really curious about DQ12.

 

[MagiusNecros]

Honestly, I preferred 9 over 11. I actually preferred 10 Offline over 11. And now I'm gonna have to tell people to fight me too.

I started with 5 but 9 is my favorite. Even the bits and pieces I played of 10 I still prefer 9.

 

[Dr. Wilkinson]

There was never a question it wasn’t in active development. DQ games have taken longer and longer as consoles have advanced. It just is what it is. Hopefully the wait is worth it. I’d rather have an unveil 6 months in advance of the launch. Who honestly wants a 2 or 3 year drip feed? Gross.

 

[Go_Ly_Dow]

They announced this for UE5 in 2021 and that has probably contributed to the hold up, along with the release of the Switch 2. It could launch on PS5/PC but it will definitely be coming to Switch 2 at some point, perhaps slightly scaled down visuals but with more content and refinements like the S release.

 

[Scrawnton]

Probably rebooted development after FFXVI turned out the way it did. No point in dragging DQ down the "mature edgelord" road they signaled they were doing for the new one.

 

[Werewolf Jones]

That's the thing, no one else has been given the chance to handle the main series other than Horii. Love the dude, but getting old is inevitable and at some point he will have to hand it over. Hopefully whoever gets it takes good care of it, it's a very beloved franchise. But to not even give it a try would be terrible decision-making.

DQ has had near consistent quality, I'm sure he doesn't want it to tank like FF.

 

[Hudo]

Meh. DQ9 port. Fight me.

I don't want to fight you. I'll join you instead.

 

[SkylineRKR]

What a time, having to wait 7-10 years to get another AAA JRPG.
The golden era gave me 2-3 good JRPGs every single year. FF7,8,9 came out in span of 3 years!
Now you have to wait a decade... DISGUSTING!

Maybe go back to PS2 graphics or Pre Rendered backgrounds like FF7 you stupid devs, no one needs highest quality graphics.

Yep, its how it is.

Or what about Capcom; A DMC trilogy, Onimusha trilogy and a trilogy of RE games on GC. All released within 3 years. And thats only the tip of the iceberg considering they also did Okami, 2x VJ etc.

To be fair though DQ was always slow, and 1 per generation since PSX. But it didn't take a decade per game.

 

[Majima Everywhere System]

Our first announcement: there are slimes.

Stay tuned.

 

[Hyet]

I think V deserves a full-on remake.

You may be not wrong but I'm too resistant to change. I think this game having the limited range of pixel art actually enhances the more emotional moments since you have to do more work youself.

I would also take a western release of DQX Offline to fill in the gap. Make it happen SE!

 

[Puscifer]

Yeah, they really need to stop making these fun games

So strange

Unlike Nintendo that has series veterans overlooking new blood to get them to understand the core of these series I don't think DQ has an equivalent going on or at least that they're mentioning publicly.

If they do, it's probably for the reason for the darker tone they're alluding too that they've fully admitted was the reason for the extended production time trying to make it work.