Yuji Horii Tight-Lipped on Dragon Quest 12, Promises Hard Work on Sequel

Dragon Quest creator Yuji Horii has officially confirmed that Dragon Quest 12: The Flames of Fate is still in development and has not been canceled.

Originally announced during the franchise’s 35th anniversary celebration in 2021, Dragon Quest 12 marks the first mainline installment since Dragon Quest 11: Echoes of an Elusive Age released in 2017. Since the initial reveal, updates have been scarce, with the last major statement coming in February when Horii assured fans that the development team at Square Enix was “working hard” and promised that more details would be shared gradually.

True to his word, Horii has resurfaced in a recent interview with Gamereactor to reaffirm that the project is very much alive and progressing as planned.

To date, the only official glimpse of Dragon Quest 12 remains its logo, unveiled in 2021.

“I can’t say much—I apologize,” Horii admitted. “But yes, I’m working on it, putting in a lot of effort… All I can say is that the next title will be great as well. I’m working extremely hard on it. That’s all I can share for now—please look forward to it.”

While fans may be eager for visuals, gameplay footage, or a release window, Horii’s latest confirmation serves as a welcome reassurance amid growing concerns. Speculation about cancellation had surfaced due to extended silence and recent changes within Square Enix, including internal restructuring and a notable lack of updates.

Despite these challenges, Horii’s commitment remains steadfast. Development continues behind the scenes, and while details are still under wraps, the message is clear: Dragon Quest 12 is coming—patient fans will be rewarded.