Dragon Quest 12: The Flames of Fate and the Upcoming 40th Anniversary Livestream

Dragon Quest 12: The Flames of Fate has remained notably absent since its announcement nearly five years ago. However, series creator and renowned JRPG designer Yuji Horii has confirmed that updates about the “next game” in the franchise will be revealed during an upcoming livestream celebrating the 40th anniversary of Dragon Quest.

May 27 Livestream Confirmed

The official Dragon Quest livestream is set for May 27—just weeks away—and was announced by Horii during the latest episode of the KosoKoso podcast, with quotes translated by Gematsu.

“We’ll be hosting a livestream on May 27,” Horii stated. “I believe we’ll be able to make an announcement about the next game.” He also mentioned that Square Enix will present “a variety of other things” during the stream besides the next mainline installment.

Historical Context: Lessons from the 35th Anniversary

Although Square Enix has not yet made an official public announcement regarding the 40th-anniversary event, the publisher previously held a major livestream for the franchise’s 35th anniversary in 2021. As reported by Gematsu, that broadcast revealed several key projects: Dragon Quest III HD-2D, multiple spin-offs, an update for the MMO Dragon Quest X, and—most importantly—the initial announcement of Dragon Quest XII.

To date, Dragon Quest 12 remains the only announced project from that 2021 stream yet to release, amidst internal corporate restructuring. Horii has consistently stated he is “working very hard” on the sequel—making this milestone livestream a highly likely occasion for its long-awaited return.

Remaster Momentum Continues

Square Enix has also ramped up efforts to revisit foundational entries in the series. Recent releases include HD-2D remakes of the first three Dragon Quest games, as well as a stylized reimagining of Dragon Quest VII. Producer Masaaki Hayasaka has confirmed that additional remakes are “definitely possible”—depending on audience reception to the HD-2D titles. Given their strong critical and commercial success, further classic remakes seem increasingly probable.

Horii’s Vision for AI in JRPGs

In a forward-looking statement, Yuji Horii shared his enthusiasm for incorporating artificial intelligence into future Dragon Quest experiences. He believes AI can help characters “feel even more human” and “respond to people’s concerns with empathy.” Horii also expressed his desire to bring such AI-driven innovations to “other series as well.”