Dragon Quest 12 is still in development, but some dark news is darkening the mood in fans’ minds. What new can we learn about this?
Square Enix, a Japanese giant known for its iconic franchises, finds itself at a tipping point. The recent announcement of the resignation of the flagship producer of the Dragon Quest franchise, as part of a major reorganization of the company, shook the gaming community and investors. This initiative is part of management’s desire to revitalize flagging sales. Both in the console and mobile games sector.
A new lease of life for Dragon Quest 12 and Square Enix
Since his inauguration as president, Takashi Kiryu has implemented an ambitious strategy to reinvigorate game production. This strategy aims to reduce dependence on external resources and favor the development of triple-A games internally. Adapting this new direction has resulted in the appointment of a new guard of promising designers within the company. Positioned to carry out this transformation.
Among the notable changes, Yu Miyake, a leading figure in Dragon Quest since his arrival at Square Enix in 1992, is now directing his expertise towards the smartphone games segment. Under his leadership, Dragon Quest enjoyed many successes, making him a key figure in the industry. His transition to a new role underscores Square Enix’s desire to diversify and strengthen its presence in the growing mobile games market. This would also be linked to internal delays, specifically on the famous next episode of DQ.
An important change
Miyake’s potential successor, Yosuke Saito, known for his work on the hit NieR franchise, embodies Square Enix’s new vision for Dragon Quest. This perspective brings a breath of fresh air to the series. By promising to maintain the original spirit while exploring new creative avenues.
However, this transition is not without raising questions, particularly regarding the future of Dragon Quest 12. Announced in 2021, this highly anticipated title still has no release date, leaving fans waiting. This vagueness around Dragon Quest 12 is perceived with a certain sadness by the community, who hopes that these changes will mark a positive turning point for the franchise.
Square Enix’s strategy is not limited to internal reorganization; it is accompanied by a broader reflection on the production model. By terminating many unannounced projects and limiting the influence of producers, Kiryu seeks to bring greater discipline to the creative process. The goal is clear: to ensure that future projects, including Dragon Quest, do not suffer from the same delays and challenges as in the past.