Dragon Quest Marks 40th Anniversary with Massive Milestone

Back on May 27, 1986, developer Enix launched a modest yet ambitious title called Dragon Quest into the Japanese market. Four decades later, that studio has evolved into Square Enix, and the franchise has solidified its status as one of the most beloved and influential Japanese role-playing game series in history. As the franchise celebrates this monumental 40th anniversary, it only feels appropriate that it achieves yet another incredible sales milestone.

According to an announcement shared by the official Dragon Quest X social media account on the morning of September 16, the franchise has officially crossed the threshold of 100 million copies shipped and digitally sold worldwide. In honor of the occasion, series creator Yuji Horii released a heartfelt statement to the community. “Thank you all so much,” Horii expressed. “As Dragon Quest reaches its 40th anniversary milestone, I am filled with deep gratitude that we can share such wonderful news. We will continue working hard to craft adventures that spark your imagination and excitement, and I hope you will keep supporting us on this journey.” Following the announcement, Horii celebrated by cutting a celebratory cake adorned with iconic monsters from the series.

To date, the core franchise boasts 11 mainline entries alongside an extensive library of genre-spanning spin-offs. Its cultural footprint extends far beyond gaming, branching out into novels, manga series, and anime adaptations. Later this year, Square Enix is set to expand the universe further with the launch of Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World.

When is Dragon Quest 12 releasing?

During the recent 40th-anniversary livestream presentation, Square Enix offered a fresh look at Dragon Quest 12. Initially unveiled back in 2021 under the working title The Flames of Fate, executive producer Yosuke Saito admitted that development encountered numerous obstacles along the way, leading the team to “pivot and start entirely from scratch.” The highly anticipated sequel has now been officially retitled Dragon Quest 12: Beyond Dreams.

While the initial teaser suggested The Flames of Fate would embrace a significantly darker aesthetic, the newly branded Beyond Dreams seems to realign the project more closely with the classic tone fans have come to love. Square Enix has not provided any additional details since the showcase, and the game currently lacks an official release date or window.

The new footage arrives as the legendary RPG franchise celebrates its 40th anniversary.

Source: Polygon