Dragon Quest series creator Yuji Horii has confirmed Dragon Quest XII is currently in development, but fans shouldn’t expect the title to release anytime soon. This announcement comes on the heels of the previous game’s success, Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age, which reinvigorated the series’ reputation.

Although Dragon Quest XI initially released in 2017 in Japan, it did not make its way to the West until 2018. Since then, the title has sold over 5 million copies worldwide. The release of Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age – Definitive Edition on the Nintendo Switch was also successful, which included improvements to the game, as well as new features, and sold over 300,000 copies during the first week of its release in Japan. Its success also launched Dragon Quest Builders 2, which combined the title’s JRPG gameplay with building concepts. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate even added the Hero from Dragon Quest XI as a playable character, something that helped show off the series to new fans.

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That’s why it should come as no surprise that Dragon Quest XII is in the works. Horii tweeted a New Year’s message to fans confirming that Dragon Quest XII was in development. Here’s the tweet (as translated by BlackKite):

“Last year we started with publishing the movie Dragon Quest: Your Story, then releasing the Switch version of Dragon Quest 11, the mobile version of DQ Walk, the announcement of The Adventure of Dai anime along with its game adaptation, the production of [DQ]12 and more; even now after 33 years have passed since I made the 1st game, I feel very glad that I can do new challenges like these. Thank you very much to all users who have cheered on Dragon Quest until now, and also to all of the many staff members who have supported me. I don’t know how long I can go on, but I feel like I want to do my best just a little bit more. I hope this year will be an amazing year to everyone. I’m looking forward to work together in this year.”

One thing is sure, though: the next Dragon Quest title will probably not release anytime soon. Development cycles for games are already long, and with new consoles releasing in 2020, many developers will hold off on new titles until those consoles are in stores and flying off shelves. Fans must also consider how long it will take for the title to release in the West. The first three games in the franchise only saw releases in the U.S. and Japan, and Japan was the only country that saw the release of MMORPG Dragon Quest X. Europe did eventually get access to several remakes of the classic games, but Dragon Quest VIII was the first in the series to release there without getting a remake first.

For Dragon Quest publisher Square Enix, though, the company will undoubtedly consider sales of Dragon Quest XI as its deciding factor on where the next title in the franchise gets released. Fortunately, its worldwide sales have been good, and there seems to be enough of a fanbase outside of Japan to warrant a global release of the next title in the series. Dragon Quest fans all over the world can probably rest assured that they will eventually get to play Dragon Quest XII.

Dragon Quest XII is currently in development. No platforms or release date have been announced.

Source: Yuji Horii/Twitter, BlackKite/Twitter

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Robin Burks
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Robin Burks is an entertainment and science/technology writer, as well as a published author, avid con-goer and costumer/cosplayer. She currently writes about pop culture and entertainment for ScreenRant.com, but has also written for TechTimes.com and DVICE.com.

Robin is also the author of a series of speculative fiction novels: Zeus, Inc.; The Curse of Hekate; and Return of The Titans. In 2014, Indie Reader named the protagonist of that series, Alex Grosjean, as one of its Top Five Smart, Strong and Relatable Female Characters. The series was also inducted into the 2018 Darrell Awards Coger Hall of Fame in Memphis, TN. Since then, she has published her fourth novel, Madame Vampire, and is currently working on a series of young adult novels.

Robin, who currently lives in Missouri with her five cats, loves all things French and has a serious obsession with Doctor Who. Visit Robin’s website for more information on her fiction work or to contact her.

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