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Dragon Quest 12: Release Delay and Future Prospects
A detailed explanation of the official announcement regarding the delay of Dragon Quest XII's release, the factors behind it, the reactions of fans and the industry, and the prospects for its future release. Various factors, such as a review of the development structure and changes to the game engine, have led to the postponement of the release. Fans are hopeful, but are showing a willingness to wait for a high-quality game.
1. 🎮 Dragon Quest XII Release Delayed: Official Announcement and Overview
- ✅ The release of Dragon Quest XII has been officially delayed.
- ✅ Based on the situation as of November 2025, a detailed explanation of the current situation, background, and future prospects.
- ✅ The release date has been postponed to 2026 or later due to a review of the development structure and quality improvement.
00:01 - 00:26
1. 🎮 Dragon Quest XII Release Delayed: Official Announcement and Overview
- ✅ The release of Dragon Quest XII has been officially delayed.
- ✅ Based on the situation as of November 2025, a detailed explanation of the current situation, background, and future prospects.
- ✅ The release date has been postponed to 2026 or later due to a review of the development structure and quality improvement.
00:30 - 01:48
2. 📅 Details of the Release Delay and Official Statement
- ✅ Dragon Quest XII, which was announced in May 2021, had been attracting public attention, but in November 2025, more than four years later, an announcement was made that the release date was undecided.
- ✅ The official statement mentioned that the official release date and platform have not been decided, and that the development structure has been reviewed to improve quality.
- ✅ The postponement to 2026 or later and an apology to fans were announced.
01:49 - 02:27
3. 📣 Official Apology Message and Pursuit of Quality
- ✅ In pursuit of quality for the best gaming experience, we have begun a fundamental review focusing on the reorganization of the development staff structure, game design, scenario, and system.
- ✅ Explained that it is difficult to indicate a new release date at this stage.
- ✅ An apology to the fans was expressed.
02:28 - 03:10
4. 🛠️ Background to the Delay: New Game Engine and Changes in Development Policy
- ✅ Unreal Engine 5 (UE5) has been introduced for the development of Dragon Quest XII, and major renovations are underway, including enhanced graphic expression, complex choices and branching scenarios, and the introduction of a new battle system that emphasizes realism.
- ✅ UE5 is a powerful engine, but it requires advanced technology and time to master.
03:11 - 04:09
5. 🧑💻 Impact of Development Structure Reorganization and Director Change
- ✅ Reports that some leadership positions were changed and key planners were reassigned around 2024.
- ✅ Square Enix's management decisions also resulted in the cancellation of HD title development projects, leading to rumors that Dragon Quest XII might also be canceled.
- ✅ Yuji Horii of the series officially stated on SNS that development is continuing, denying the rumors.
- ✅ It has also been pointed out that remote work due to the COVID-19 pandemic has been a factor in delays in actual work and decision-making.
04:18 - 05:11
6. 💔 Review of Plans and Loss of Talent: Impact of Legendary Creators
- ✅ The loss of legendary creators such as Koichi Sugiyama for music and Akira Toriyama for character design is having a psychological impact on the team.
- ✅ The direction of creators' appointments and physical results is gradually progressing.
- ✅ The loss of these giants is an immeasurable loss for the Dragon Quest series.
05:12 - 06:02
7. 🤔 How Fans and the Industry are Taking It and Current Analysis
- ✅ Many fans feel betrayed by the longest silence in the past, but they trust in the high game quality of Square Enix, which was proven in the previous Dragon Quest XI.
- ✅ Many people want the completion to be prioritized without rushing.
- ✅ Development staff and related parties also recognize this as a turning point in the expressive power of RPG games and an important phase in the reconstruction of the IP brand.
06:03 - 06:49
8. 🔮 Prospects for Release Date and Future Schedule
- ✅ The most likely expected release date at this time is the release of a teaser trailer in 2026, and a surprise announcement for the 40th anniversary of Dragon Quest.
- ✅ The release date is expected to be announced from the fall of 2026 to the first half of 2027, and the game will be released in 2027.
- ✅ Square Enix's medium-term management plan for fiscal year 2025 also states that a large title will be released in fiscal year ending March 2027 or later.
06:50 - 07:40
9. 📢 Expected Timing of Future Announcements and Summary of Past Announcements
- ✅ Expected timing for future announcements include Dragon Quest Day on May 27, Tokyo Game Show, Jump Festa, and various game industry conferences.
- ✅ Summary of past announcements and life appearances: First announced in May 2021, announcement of large-scale HD title reorganization in spring 2024, Yuji Horii appealed for continued development in May 2024, review of development structure and official apology for indefinite postponement of release date in 2025.
07:41 - 08:21
10. ℹ️ Latest Information on the Content of the Work
- ✅ Unreal Engine 5 is officially adopted as the game engine.
- ✅ A system that has been revamped from the conventional command battle will be introduced for battles.
- ✅ The scenario is a story suitable for the flame of chosen destiny, which is darker.
- ✅ The platform is designed for next-generation hardware, with Nintendo Switch next-generation consoles and PS5 being the most likely candidates.
- ✅ A new director has been appointed and personnel have been reallocated.
08:22 - 09:22
11. 🌐 Online Reactions and Industry Insider Analysis
- ✅ Based on a comprehensive collection and analysis of information from fan communities and industry influencers, the main numbering is being given maximum resources while remakes and side stories are being developed simultaneously.
- ✅ There are pessimistic arguments that the development delay is a flag for the birth of a masterpiece, and that the crisis of the brand value of the system type is being worked on every day.
- ✅ Points of interest for future announcements: timing of the release of new visuals and the first PV, official explanations of system changes and world view, cost of actual gameplay footage and demo distribution, final decision on platform expansion and multi-development, and direct messages from series staff.
09:23 - 10:53
12. 🤝 Stance That Fans and the Game Industry Should Take Now
- ✅ The postponement of the release of Dragon Quest XII is an unprecedented long-term and fundamental transformation of the series market.
- ✅ It can be said that the essence of the Dragon Quest brand is to send out measures to open up new horizons in the RPG city with the utmost quality and passion.
- ✅ It can be said that the best thing to do now is for fans and industry insiders to remain calm and wait for the best Dragon Quest, while continuing to focus on direct announcements from the official website and breaking news from domestic and international media when there is the latest information or changes.