Post by: MegaByte on December 11, 2006, 05:22:30 PM
Square-Enix held a press conference today in Japan to discuss the future of their twenty year old Dragon Quest franchise. Subtitled "Hoshizora no Mamori Hito," which translates to "One Who Protects the Starry Sky," the game was speculated to be released on PlayStation 3 or Nintendo Wii. It turns out that the next Dragon Quest game, number nine in the main series, is under development for Nintendo DS.
The company released some tidbits about the game as well as showing off some 3D screenshots. Development is being handled by Level 5, developer of the previous Dragon Quest VIII for PlayStation 2. Koichi Sugiyama is once again composing music for the game, while series creator Yuuji Horii and character designer Akira Toriyama are also deeply involved in production.
Notably departing from the standard J-RPG formula, gameplay in Dragon Quest IX will be more action oriented and will feature four-player online cooperative play. The top screen is used as a map, while the bottom screen contains the action.
Dragon Quest IX is currently planned for a 2007 release in Japan. No price has yet been decided.
Post by: Nile Boogie on December 11, 2006, 05:32:46 PM
(babelfish translation)
"It prints money!"
Post by: TrueNerd on December 11, 2006, 05:34:23 PM
In terms of Japanese market share anyways, which is likely the reason for this. I find it absolutely fascinating that any developer would make a real sequel to a PS2 game for the DS.
Will I play this? Maybe. Rocket Slime was the first DQ game I've ever played and I certainly enjoy that. Plus, four player online co-op sounds good...
Post by: Hocotate on December 11, 2006, 05:35:40 PM
Post by: NWR_pap64 on December 11, 2006, 05:36:25 PM
Put the two of them together and Japan was never heard from again...
Post by: Crimm on December 11, 2006, 05:54:38 PM
Post by: WindyMan on December 11, 2006, 05:56:18 PM
I am stunned.
Post by: KDR_11k on December 11, 2006, 06:32:40 PM
Post by: Jonnyboy117 on December 11, 2006, 06:58:01 PM
Huge!
HUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGE OMGWTFBBQ BOHICA ETC.
When we weren't looking, a dimensional rift opened below our feet and whizzed us away to a magical land where completely insane things happen on a regular basis.
Post by: WuTangTurtle on December 11, 2006, 07:11:12 PM
Post by: IceCold on December 11, 2006, 07:36:21 PM
Post by: Larson on December 11, 2006, 07:51:14 PM
Quote
Originally posted by: IceCold
Where are the screens?
www.famitsu.com/game/news/2006/12/12/103,1165907676,64336,0,0.html
Post by: NWR_pap64 on December 11, 2006, 10:39:15 PM
While the Wii is destined to be a hit in Japan, it was just released. Square is playing it safe by seeing how the console does in the first year of release before making anything huge. The DS, on the other hand, is a proven success, so they know that the game will sell thousands in a DAY.
As some have pointed out, if the game does really well on the DS you can expect bigger, better games on the Wii. Besides, this great news in that S-E is throwing one of its biggest franchises in decades on a Nintendo console for the first time in years, proving that Nintendo has been doing a great job restoring its image.
So, why bitch?
Post by: Bill Aurion on December 11, 2006, 11:08:49 PM
Quote
Originally posted by: WindyMan
I said wow. I didn't even think about it, I just said wow.
I am stunned.
Oh absolutely...Looking back on Horii's recent statements this totally makes sense, but this is still an absolute shock...
Post by: Darc Requiem on December 12, 2006, 12:06:37 AM
Post by: Nick DiMola on December 12, 2006, 01:12:00 AM
Post by: Pale on December 12, 2006, 01:35:46 AM
Now we just need them to move FF XIII to Wii.Anyway, while I'm incredibly excited about this news, I can't help but be somewhat bummed. My heart was set on lounging on the couch playing DQ IX with one hand.
Post by: Athrun Zala on December 12, 2006, 02:16:38 AM
so the DSL will be even harder to find in Japan now....
and maybe the Wii will get something related to DQ IX.... I mean, apparently SE is liking that "multiple games for any given iteration of franchise" thing.... (like they have been doing with the FFs lately)
Post by: Caliban on December 12, 2006, 02:22:57 AM
Post by: Ceric on December 12, 2006, 03:37:38 AM
Any word on the Wii games launch date in that press conference by any chance?
Post by: NWR_Lindy on December 12, 2006, 03:44:45 AM
Nintendo is back, folks. It's official.
Post by: segagamer12 on December 12, 2006, 04:34:32 AM
Now I can settle the PSP is dead once and for all with my sony fanboy friends sho STILL think it is better than DS and somehow maintian is MUST be out selling it despite my efforts to prove other wise.
Post by: Ian Sane on December 12, 2006, 05:10:47 AM
There is a problem with this though. If that's the direction things are going then neither the Wii or the PS3 will win in North America because they won't get the dedicated console support that we expect in North America. Neither of those consoles will get the full treatment of being the market leader in Japan which would give the Xbox 360 a large advantage in North America. Of course this might not mean anything. DQIX might be an anomaly and for the most part consoles remain the focus on developers.
I personally don't want portables to become too popular because I, well, hate playing games on them. I tend to move the controller around too much when playing so the screen is always moving which makes it harder for me to play for a good length of time. Once I got the GB Player I stopped playing my GBA and prior to that I only played GB games on the Super Gameboy. Though I think the future of gaming is no difference between consoles and portables. Both will be compatible with the same games and people can choose whether they want their hardware in a portable or console format.
Post by: Smash_Brother on December 12, 2006, 05:20:33 AM
Quote
Originally posted by: Pale
It's confirmed that all Square-Enix does is look at sales volume when deciding on a platform.
Anyway, while I'm incredibly excited about this news, I can't help but be somewhat bummed. My heart was set on lounging on the couch playing DQ IX with one hand.
You said it best.
The DS didn't need this kind of help, IMHO, but like Pap said, the Wii and PS3 are still fledgling consoles, and while the Wii is already taking to the skies while the PS3 seems to be missing a wing, the DS is a safer bet in terms of sales.
And this
Quote
and Japan was never heard from again...
Is going in my sig.
Post by: JonLeung on December 12, 2006, 05:29:12 AM
However, by putting it on the Wii, it'd help establish it in the console race. I'm not going to go all Square-Enix fanboyish here, but while Square-Enix's name still has some value, it would do a lot more for the Wii than for the already-successful DS.
But, they're in it for the money, it's not their duty to sell new consoles, and DQ IX would certainly bring them the money they want. Or lots more of it, anyway. Hopefully that'll make them and Nintendo more chummy on fronts other than handhelds.
Won't this game be confused with Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker? At least for the uninformed in DQ matters.
Post by: Ceric on December 12, 2006, 05:30:26 AM
Post by: KDR_11k on December 12, 2006, 05:34:17 AM
I think it was FFXII but all those Is can get confusing easily.
Post by: JonLeung on December 12, 2006, 05:41:15 AM
Mega Man (GB)? TMNT (GB)? Ninja Gaiden Shadow? Blaster Master Boy? Mega Man Xtreme? MGS: (Ghost Babel)? Please.
Super Mario Advance? FF I&II/III DS/IV-VI Advance? Come on, we've played them before.
But DQ IX? Not DQ Monsters or DQ Heroes? This is big.
EDIT: Yeah, I changed my tune between two posts. So shoot me. Though I still would've also liked a Wii version.
On a related note, this is a nice picture.
S-E and the big N
Post by: Smash_Brother on December 12, 2006, 05:42:48 AM
Quote
Originally posted by: KDR_11k
I'm sort of surprised at this but isn't the DS getting a version of FF:XIII as well?
I think it was FFXII but all those Is can get confusing easily.
This is FF12 Revenant Wings for the DS which is a sequel to 12 coming for the DS.
Post by: JonLeung on December 12, 2006, 05:47:12 AM
Post by: NWR_pap64 on December 12, 2006, 05:50:32 AM
Quote
Originally posted by: Smash_BrotherQuote
Originally posted by: Pale
It's confirmed that all Square-Enix does is look at sales volume when deciding on a platform.
Anyway, while I'm incredibly excited about this news, I can't help but be somewhat bummed. My heart was set on lounging on the couch playing DQ IX with one hand.
You said it best.
The DS didn't need this kind of help, IMHO, but like Pap said, the Wii and PS3 are still fledgling consoles, and while the Wii is already taking to the skies while the PS3 seems to be missing a wing, the DS is a safer bet in terms of sales.
And thisQuote
and Japan was never heard from again...
Is going in my sig.
One thing I just realized is that I wouldn't be surprised if one of their other reasons for putting DQ IX on the DS is to see if Nintendo fans across the country are willing to give the main RPG series a second chance.
You have to remember that many fans were severely burned when Square switched over to the PSone, some migrating over to the PSone and PS2 while others decided not to even bother with them anymore. Square knows that they have the Sony fanboys, but they need to see if the Nintendo fanboys are willing to bite. Going on a limb here, I think all the spin off games we got on the GBA and the DS were tests to see if the fans were willing to try the S-E franchises once more, and with the huge success of FFIII and the other DS games, it inspired them to release DQ IX on the DS. If it does well (and I'll strip naked, kill people then castrate myself in front of school children if it doesn't), Square will eventually move onto the Wii. In other words, if fans flock to the DS, they will flock to the Wii if they release the next game.
Another thing is that Square must first get acquainted with the Wiimote. I mean, they can do DQ Swords because its a simple, straightforward hack and slash game. The main DQ games, however, are far deeper than that and thus they need to create a control scheme that works well with the Wiimote while still staying true to the formula.
Big Square support for the Wii WILL come, and all it takes is support them on the DS.
Regardless of whether you think the new DQ game should've been on the Wii or its fine on the DS, its hard to disagree that this will help Nintendo BIG time, while shows that their support towards Sony is slowly dying.
Anyone that fails to see this should die as fast as possible...
EDIT: Oh and Ian, its the DS that is very popular at the moment, the PSP is the one dying. And I think the Wii will be very popular in Japan once the big name games are released. Just give it some time. I doubt that handhelds will overthrow consoles anytime soon.
Post by: Ian Sane on December 12, 2006, 05:54:51 AM
What about multiplayer? With handhelds everyone has to own their own hardware which, well, sucks. The appeal of everyone sitting in the living room with a controller in their hand playing a game together is something that portables can never have. Games like SSB and Mario Kart HAVE to be on the Wii for that is the only Nintendo system where they will truly shine. They are possible on the DS (Mario Kart DS) but to get that true feel they need to be on a console.
Post by: Smash_Brother on December 12, 2006, 07:23:14 AM
Quote
Originally posted by: pap64 Anyone that fails to see this should die as fast as possible...
Dude, don't go all "Square Jihad" on anyone.
But yeah, I know the reason it wasn't being made for the Wii is because it's an unproven console as of yet.
Post by: Viewtiful mario on December 12, 2006, 09:40:11 AM
Quote
There is a problem with this though. If that's the direction things are going then neither the Wii or the PS3 will win in North America because they won't get the dedicated console support that we expect in North America. Neither of those consoles will get the full treatment of being the market leader in Japan which would give the Xbox 360 a large advantage in North America. Of course this might not mean anything. DQIX might be an anomaly and for the most part consoles remain the focus on developers.
I personally don't want portables to become too popular because I, well, hate playing games on them. I tend to move the controller around too much when playing so the screen is always moving which makes it harder for me to play for a good length of time. Once I got the GB Player I stopped playing my GBA and prior to that I only played GB games on the Super Gameboy. Though I think the future of gaming is no difference between consoles and portables. Both will be compatible with the same games and people can choose whether they want their hardware in a portable or console format.
Just have to see everything from a negative point of view don't cha Ian.
The reason Consoles are dead over there right now is because developers are getting ready for the next generation. The PS3 and Wii have just Launched and most of there games are still in development, not enough of there killer titles are out yet so now there's not much to get excited about when it comes to thoes systems (except maby Zelda but that's just 1). As for the other next gen system that's been out for a year, the Xbox 360, it's as popular as the N gage in Japan so it basecly doasn't exist to them. And the PSP is like the gamcube right now, the only people putting playtime into it right now are loyal fans.
The only system that's got plenty of wind in it's sales is the DS, which is freaken on fire with a stedy slow of game releases to make any owner proud. It's at the top of it's game and nothing else can match up to it right now , that's why DQ 9 is on it, it's on fire and Square wants to be where the money is.
You shouldn't be worried about handhelds overtaking Consoles, it's the dawn of a new generation and the PS3/Wii are yet to realease there full potential. If the Wii gains the popularity that the DS has (and from the looks of it it's well on it's way) than the Wii will be the top Console and as a result it'll get all the best games. It's just that the DS is the better choice right now.
Post by: NWR_pap64 on December 12, 2006, 09:46:19 AM
Post by: Viewtiful mario on December 12, 2006, 09:55:03 AM
Quote
This is not entirely true since the PSP has sold like a lead balloon there as well.
that's what I ment, just like the gamecube over here.
Quote
Actually, a couple of editors have mentioned that this is a clear indication that in Japan consoles are dying while handhelds are selling like crazy.
that's becouse all the previous generation consoles are on there last legs. You could argue about the PS2 but it's sold all it ever will.
Post by: Crimm on December 12, 2006, 10:14:10 AM
For the next 10 months we buy every DS Lite we can afford in the US market.
When DQIX comes out we open a store in Akihabara, selling those DS Lites at 3x face value.
Post by: Ceric on December 12, 2006, 10:19:30 AM
We might actually get it if we did that now.
Post by: Mario on December 12, 2006, 10:55:38 AM
Quote
What about multiplayer? With handhelds everyone has to own their own hardware which, well, sucks. The appeal of everyone sitting in the living room with a controller in their hand playing a game together is something that portables can never have. Games like SSB and Mario Kart HAVE to be on the Wii for that is the only Nintendo system where they will truly shine. They are possible on the DS (Mario Kart DS) but to get that true feel they need to be on a console.
Dude DS is WAY better multiplayer BECAUSE everyone has their own screen, and you can play anywhere, the appeal of that is something consoles will never have. The biggest multiplayer RPG ever, Pokemon, exists on handhelds.
Post by: King of Twitch on December 12, 2006, 12:24:19 PM
Post by: PopeReal on December 12, 2006, 12:56:16 PM
Quote
Originally posted by: Pale
It's confirmed that all Square-Enix does is look at sales volume when deciding on a platform.
Anyway, while I'm incredibly excited about this news, I can't help but be somewhat bummed. My heart was set on lounging on the couch playing DQ IX with one hand.
And what would your other hand have been doing?
Post by: Viewtiful mario on December 12, 2006, 02:27:44 PM
Quote
Originally posted by: PopeRealQuote
Originally posted by: Pale
It's confirmed that all Square-Enix does is look at sales volume when deciding on a platform.
Anyway, while I'm incredibly excited about this news, I can't help but be somewhat bummed. My heart was set on lounging on the couch playing DQ IX with one hand.
And what would your other hand have been doing?
Well, it's japaneze so they were bound to have some suggestive content.
Post by: Bill Aurion on December 12, 2006, 05:06:59 PM
*purr*
Post by: KDR_11k on December 13, 2006, 05:43:52 AM
Post by: TJ Spyke on December 14, 2006, 03:09:00 PM
Quote
Originally posted by: MJRx9000
PSP port TBA the day before it's released
I doubt it, PSP software sells like garbage in Japan. Hell, there hasn't even been a PSP game in the top 30 list in over 2 weeks. Even before that there would be like 3 PSP games in the top 30 and like 17 DS games.
Square Enix did this because the Dragon Quest games are ALWAYS released on the system with the largest marketshare, which is the DS right now. If the Wii continues to be as sucessful as it is now, then I can see DQ X being on the Wii.
