Yuji Horii
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Anticipated PS5 RPG in Beloved Franchise Gets Renamed, New Spin-off Announced
Square Enix announced significant updates for the Dragon Quest series during a 40th-anniversary livestream. The next mainline entry, previously known as Dragon Quest XII: The Flames of Fate, has been renamed Dragon Quest XII: Beyond Dreams and undergone a development restart with a shift back to a more traditional tone. Additionally, a new spin-off, Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World, was revealed for multiple platforms. Neither game has a release date.
Dragon Quest XII: Beyond Dreams re-announced after development reboot
Square Enix has re-announced Dragon Quest XII, now titled Dragon Quest XII: Beyond Dreams, following a complete development reboot. Executive producer Yosuke Saito explained that the original vision for "The Flames of Fate" faced hurdles, leading to a fresh start with a new protagonist and technological advancements. Series creator Yuji Horii teased a story about a hero with sleep visions, promising a bright future beyond dreams, while confirming Akira Toriyama's character designs and Koichi Sugiyama's music will return.
Dragon Quest 12 restarts development from scratch as edgy tone is scrapped
Dragon Quest 12: Beyond Dreams has restarted development from scratch, abandoning its previously announced darker, more adult tone. Executive producer Yosuke Saito confirmed the overhaul, stating it will be a significant delay before the game is released. Square Enix also announced Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World for multiple platforms, aiming for a release before Dragon Quest 12.
Dragon Quest Has Two New Games On The Way - Dragon Quest XII And A New Monsters Title
Square Enix announced two new Dragon Quest titles during a 40th-anniversary update: Dragon Quest XII: Beyond Dreams and Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World. Dragon Quest XII, previously known as The Flames of Fate, has been reworked from scratch. Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World is a new entry in the spinoff series and will be released for Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
PlayStation × Dragon Quest: celebrating the RPG franchise’s 40th anniversary
This article celebrates the 40th anniversary of the Dragon Quest RPG franchise by highlighting six major mainline titles released on PlayStation platforms. It examines the historical context, innovations in storytelling and gameplay, and the evolution of the series across titles like Dragon Quest VII, VIII, XI, III, and the upcoming Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake and Dragon Quest VII Reimagined.
Dragon Quest 12 Development Restarted From Scratch After “A Lot Of Hurdles”
Dragon Quest 12: Beyond Dreams, formerly known as Dragon Quest 12: The Flames of Fate, has restarted development from scratch due to numerous hurdles. Executive producer Yosuke Saito announced the major decision during a Dragon Quest livestream, emphasizing the commitment to delivering a mainline Dragon Quest game that fans will love. The game will retain its art direction inspired by the late Akira Toriyama, and a sneak peek revealed new characters, landscapes, and monsters.
Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World Announced For Switch 1 & 2
Square Enix has announced Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World for the Nintendo Switch, with a vague "Coming Soon" release window. Series creator Yuji Horii expressed hope for a release before Dragon Quest XII, though development on the mainline entry has restarted. The announcement offered little detail beyond a teaser trailer.
DRAGON QUEST XII: BEYOND DREAMS REVEALED AS DRAGON QUEST CELEBRATES ITS 40th ANNIVERSARY
SQUARE ENIX celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Dragon Quest series with multiple announcements. Dragon Quest XII: Beyond Dreams has entered development under a new structure, and Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World is coming to multiple platforms. Additionally, Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age is set for release on Nintendo Switch 2, and in-game events are planned for Dragon Quest Smash/Grow.
Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World Stars Bianca and Nera
Square Enix announced Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World, a new entry in the spin-off series featuring younger versions of Bianca and Nera from Dragon Quest V. The game is in development for Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC, with no release date announced yet. Game Programmer Yuji Horii also revealed this new title during the Dragon Quest 40th anniversary update.
Dragon Quest XII Gets A New Title Following Complete Development Reset
Square Enix has revealed the new title for Dragon Quest XII as Dragon Quest XII: Beyond Dreams, following a complete development reset. The game will feature character designs by the late Akira Toriyama and music by Koichi Sugiyama. While no platforms have been confirmed, early footage suggests a potential release on the Nintendo Switch 2, though a launch is expected to be some time away.
Dragon Quest 12 Renamed and Re-Revealed After Development Restart, First Gameplay Shown
Dragon Quest 12: The Flames of Fate has been renamed Dragon Quest 12: Beyond Dreams following a development restart. Executive producer Yosuke Saito confirmed the project's overhaul, and series creator Yuji Horii stated that production is progressing well, though the game is still in its early stages. First gameplay footage was shown, revealing a new protagonist with visions.
Dragon Quest 12: Beyond Dreams reveals first trailer and details five years after announcement
Square Enix has revealed the first trailer and new details for Dragon Quest 12: Beyond Dreams, five years after its initial announcement. Series creator Yuji Horii teased a story about a hero experiencing strange visions, noting the game has taken a different direction. The game features character designs by the late Akira Toriyama and music by Koichi Sugiyama.
At 40 Years Old, Dragon Quest Is More Than An RPG; It’s A Cultural Juggernaut
Dragon Quest is celebrating its 40th anniversary, marking its significant cultural impact in Japan as more than just an RPG series. Despite being relatively niche globally, it's a cornerstone of Japanese gaming, influenced by talents like Akira Toriyama and Yuji Horii. The series' success, particularly with Dragon Quest III, has cemented its place in mainstream culture, influencing other media and even spawning urban legends about its release impact.
An infamously useless Dragon Quest weapon that's been a series mainstay for 39 years owes its existence to a Famicom limitation, according to the JRPG series' creator
Dragon Quest series creator Yuji Horii explained that the series' iconic, weak "Cypress Sickle" weapon originated from a Famicom hardware limitation. Due to cartridge space constraints, the game could not use kanji and had to use hiragana, leading to a name that sounded like "snack" if translated directly. The name "hinoki" (Japanese cypress) was chosen to avoid confusion, making a simple stick an iconic part of the JRPG series.
Dragon Quest 12: The Flames of Fate Renamed to Beyond Dreams Following Development Reset
Dragon Quest 12: The Flames of Fate has been renamed Dragon Quest 12: Beyond Dreams following a development reset at Square Enix. Executive producer Yosuke Saito cited numerous hurdles with the original vision, leading the team to restart from scratch. The new iteration promises new elements while retaining character designs by Akira Toriyama and music by Koichi Sugiyama.
Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World Announced, Should Launch Before Dragon Quest 12
Square Enix has announced Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World, featuring two new female protagonists and a trailer showcasing various monsters. The game is slated for release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, and Nintendo Switch, with series creator Yuji Horii hoping for a launch before Dragon Quest 12: Beyond Dreams, which is undergoing a development restart.
Dragon Quest Series 40th Anniversary Update Covers Games This Week
Square Enix will host a 40th anniversary worldwide stream for the Dragon Quest series on May 27, 2026, to share game updates and plans. The 10-minute presentation is expected to provide news on Dragon Quest XII, the potential worldwide release of the offline version of Dragon Quest X, and a possible Nintendo Switch launch for Dragon Quest XI S. The most recent entry, Dragon Quest Smash/Grow, is a mobile roguelike released in April 2026.
Dragon Quest's 40th Anniversary Show Confirmed, But It's Only 10 Minutes Long
Square Enix will host a 10-minute broadcast on May 27th to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Dragon Quest series. The event will be available in Japanese with English subtitles and is expected to feature a brief introduction from creator Yuji Horii and potentially trailers, possibly for Dragon Quest 12.
Update from the Dragon Quest team live stream announced
Square Enix will host a live stream on May 27th to announce future plans for the Dragon Quest series, coinciding with its 40th anniversary. Series creator Yuji Horii has teased new game announcements. A potential Nintendo Switch version of Dragon Quest XI was also hinted at through a leaked classification listing.
"You're Offloading Creativity To An Algorithm" - Stardew Valley Creator Stands Firm Against AI
Stardew Valley creator Eric Barone, also known as ConcernedApe, has expressed a firm stance against the use of artificial intelligence in creative endeavors, including game development. He believes AI undermines the human element and prefers human expression over algorithms for his projects like Stardew Valley and the upcoming Haunted Chocolatier. While acknowledging potential niche uses for AI, Barone emphasizes that human creativity should always take priority.
