Dragon Quest is a big JRPG series in Japan and definitely a fan favourite next to Final Fantasy. So it’s pretty apparent that the RPG community are waiting with bated breath for the twelfth mothership game, not so much a monster-hunting or Minecraft clone side game (though Dragon Quest Builder 2 is fun, if we’re being honest).

In a recent TOKYO M.A.A.D SPIN interview, Dragon Quest creator Yuji Horii talked about progress regarding Dragon Quest XII: The Flames of Fate. Here’s what he said:

• Since Dragon Quest XII is aimed at adult audiences, he’s having trouble with the game.
• COVID-19 has affected the development of the game to some extent.
• A variety of members from the development team have been working from home for over a year on this project as well.

Yuji Horii also shared how Dragon Quest 1 came to be: this was from feedback for a classic game The Portopia Serial Murder Case back in 1983 for PC. The adventure game was promo’ed on an issue of Shonen Jump in that year; due to the audience’s feedback, all that led to Yuji Horii using that game’s influences and mechanics (commands system) to create the first Dragon Quest.

Yuji Horii also shared his favourite Dragon Quest entry: Dragon Quest 3 and Dragon Quest 5. The former was because it was the first game in the series to allow wider player expression, and the latter is due to the inter-generational plot and branching choice of wife.