Dragon Quest Creator Discusses Potential Retirement Plans

Overview

Yuji Horii, the legendary creator of Dragon Quest, dismisses retirement rumors in a recent interview with Famitsu.
The esteemed game developer promises he will remain active in the industry, stating he will “always be a game developer.”
Currently, Horii is engaged in the highly anticipated Dragon Quest 12: The Flames of Fate, while celebrating the successful release of Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake.

Yuji Horii, the visionary behind the Dragon Quest series, recently expressed his intentions to continue his work as a game developer for the foreseeable future. Since its inception almost 40 years ago, the Dragon Quest franchise has played a pivotal role in shaping the JRPG landscape, beginning with its first entry on the NES in 1986. Over the years, it has spawned eleven main-series titles and numerous spin-offs, exploring various genres from Pokémon-inspired gameplay in Dragon Quest Monsters to sandbox mechanics in Dragon Quest Builders. In light of this legacy, Horii has addressed speculation regarding his retirement.

Horii, who became an influential figure in the RPG space while working with Enix in the early 1980s, has dedicated more than four decades to game design and direction. Celebrating his 70th birthday at the start of 2024, he has helmed every main-series Dragon Quest title along with its many spin-offs. Recent interactions with the gaming community suggest that he intends to remain an active contributor to the industry for the long haul.

Horii Confronts Retirement Rumors

In a recently published interview by MyNintendoNews, Yuji Horii firmly rejected the notion of stepping away from development. He emphasized his commitment to the craft, asserting that he “will always be a game developer,” and pointing to his passion for creating games as a driving force for the foreseeable future. The interview featured Horii alongside another JRPG pioneer, Hironobu Sakaguchi, creator of Final Fantasy. Horii’s development team, Armor Project, is currently in a long-term partnership with Square Enix.

Cutscene featuring characters in Dragon Quest Heroes

Looking ahead, the Dragon Quest franchise has exciting developments on the horizon. Dragon Quest 12: The Flames of Fate was first announced by Square Enix in early 2021, with Horii hinting at significant innovations, including an overhaul of the traditional turn-based combat system and a darker narrative tone. While a specific release date has yet to be disclosed, there have been reports of delays affecting its timeline.

In contrast to the uncertainties surrounding Dragon Quest 12, the franchise’s recent remake, Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D, has experienced incredible success, launching to both critical and player acclaim last month. The remake sold nearly one million physical copies within just one week of its release in Japan. This success lays a foundation for upcoming HD-2D remakes of Dragon Quest 1 and 2, which are projected to debut next year, ensuring that Yuji Horii’s legacy as a leading figure in JRPGs remains firmly intact.

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