Fans of the legendary Dragon Quest series can breathe a sigh of relief as Yuji Horii, the creator behind the iconic franchise, has officially confirmed that Dragon Quest 12: The Flames of Fate is still in development and has not been canceled. This eagerly anticipated sequel was first announced as part of the series' 35th anniversary celebration in 2021, marking the first mainline entry since Dragon Quest 11: Echoes of an Elusive Age in 2017. Since the initial announcement, updates have been sparse, leaving fans in a state of anticipation and concern.
The last significant update came in February when Horii mentioned that the development team at Square Enix was "working hard," and that information would be released gradually. True to his word, there has been a period of silence until now. In a recent interview with Gamereactor, Horii once again addressed the status of Dragon Quest 12, offering reassurances that the project is still on track.
"Yes, indeed, I can't say anything, I apologize," Horii stated. "I am making it, putting lots of work into it... I can only say that the next work will be great too, [I'm] working really hard. Please look forward to it is the only thing I can say."
While fans might have hoped for more concrete details such as a trailer or screenshots, Horii's confirmation should alleviate concerns about the game's cancellation, especially amidst restructuring at Square Enix and a lack of updates. The development process has been impacted by significant changes, including the deaths of Dragon Quest character designer Akira Toriyama and composer Koichi Sugiyama, as noted by Horii in May 2024. Additionally, the series' lead producer Yu Miyake had already stepped down to lead Square Enix's mobile game division, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the project.
Despite these challenges, Horii's dedication to Dragon Quest 12: The Flames of Fate remains unwavering, promising fans that the next installment will be worth the wait. As the development continues, fans are encouraged to stay tuned for more updates and to keep their anticipation high for what's to come in this beloved RPG series.
