Yuji Horii: 'Can't Say Much' on Dragon Quest 12, but 'Working Hard'

Fans of the beloved Dragon Quest series can breathe a sigh of relief: Yuji Horii, the legendary creator behind the franchise, has officially confirmed that Dragon Quest 12: The Flames of Fate is still in the works and has not been canceled. This announcement comes as a welcome update, especially given the silence that has surrounded the project since its reveal during the series' 35th anniversary celebration back in 2021.

The last major update on Dragon Quest 12 came from Horii himself in February, when he mentioned that the development team at Square Enix was "working hard" and that information about the game would be shared gradually. True to his word, the flow of information has been minimal, but in a recent interview with Gamereactor, Horii provided a much-needed reassurance to the fanbase.

"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 this might not be as substantial as a trailer or screenshots, it's a comforting message for fans who were concerned about the game's status, especially amidst restructuring at Square Enix and a lack of updates.

In May 2024, Horii also acknowledged the significant losses the series faced with the deaths of Dragon Quest character designer Akira Toriyama and composer Koichi Sugiyama. Additionally, the series' lead producer Yu Miyake had stepped down to lead Square Enix's mobile game division, adding to the uncertainty surrounding Dragon Quest 12. Despite these challenges, Horii's dedication to the project remains unwavering, promising fans that the next installment will be worth the wait.