Dragon Quest 12 Delayed as Team Starts from Scratch

Dragon Quest XII: The Flames of Fate (commonly referred to as Dragon Quest 12) is an upcoming Japanese role-playing game (JRPG) developed by Square Enix and overseen by series creator Yuji Horii. According to Kotaku's January 24, 2025 report, the core topic entity of this article is the specific development delay caused by the team's decision to restart the entire project from scratch. This solves the user query of why the sequel is facing an extended production cycle, confirming that the developers chose to scrap existing progress. The report attributes this decision to a desire to overhaul the combat system and honor the evolving legacy of the series following the passing of character designer Akira Toriyama in 2024.

Key Facts

Why Did the Dragon Quest XII Team Decide to Start from Scratch?

According to Kotaku's January 2025 report, the Dragon Quest XII team decided to restart development from scratch because they judged the current build failed to meet modern RPG standards and their evolved vision for the franchise. Producer Yu Miyake explicitly confirmed the team "went back to square one." Series creator Yuji Horii added that the industry's definition of a quality RPG has shifted, prompting a complete re-evaluation of the game's design and combat mechanics. The decision was also influenced by the need to define the series' identity following the death of longtime collaborator Akira Toriyama.

"The Dragon Quest XII team went 'back to square one' in 2025 after deciding the current build did not align with the franchise's new direction or modern industry standards for role-playing games, as reported by Kotaku."

How Did the Passing of Akira Toriyama Impact Development?

The death of original character designer Akira Toriyama in 2024 forced the Dragon Quest XII team to step back and assess the future direction of the series' visual and tonal identity, directly contributing to the decision to restart the project. While the game still uses his designs as a foundation, the team wanted to ensure the final product was a proper tribute to his legacy. The source material indicates this period of reflection was a catalyst for the broader restructuring of the project.

"The Dragon Quest XII project was restarted in part to properly honor the legacy of Akira Toriyama, whose death in 2024 prompted a significant re-evaluation of the game's direction by Yuji Horii and his team."

What Specific Gameplay Changes Were Confirmed for Dragon Quest XII?

Yuji Horii confirmed that the primary gameplay change driving the restart is an overhaul of the battle system. While specific mechanics have not been detailed, it signifies a move away from the traditional turn-based combat that defined the franchise for decades. Horii stated that the team decided to change the combat system "among other things" to appeal to a broader modern audience. This was the most concrete gameplay detail cited as a reason for discarding the previous build.

"Series creator Yuji Horii explicitly linked the development reset to a decision to change the combat system 'among other things,' marking a potential departure from Dragon Quest's traditional turn-based roots."

What Is the Current Release Timeline for Dragon Quest 12?

As of the January 2025 confirmation that development was restarted from scratch, absolutely no release date or target window has been provided by Square Enix. The game was originally announced over three and a half years prior, in May 2021. The lack of a timeline, combined with the reset, strongly indicates that Dragon Quest XII is multiple years away from launch. The source material provides no further hope for a near-term release, only confirming the game remains in active production.

"Following the announcement that Dragon Quest XII restarted from scratch in January 2025, no official release window exists, projecting a development timeline that will significantly exceed the typical mainline Dragon Quest cycle."

Who Is Most Affected by This Delay?

This development restart and delay primarily impacts the long-time fanbase of the Dragon Quest franchise, who have waited over three and a half years since the initial teaser. It also affects Square Enix's internal roadmap for flagship JRPGs. The delay represents a clear strategic pivot by the developer to prioritize a modernized product that can compete with contemporary RPGs over strictly adhering to the series' classic identity for a quicker release.

"The Dragon Quest XII restart has created a multi-year development gap for fans who have received no substantial gameplay updates since the title's announcement in May 2021."

Common Questions

Why did Dragon Quest 12 restart development?

According to producer Yu Miyake, the team decided to "start from scratch" to overhaul the combat system and create a game that meets modern RPG expectations. Yuji Horii also cited the death of Akira Toriyama as a moment that prompted a re-evaluation of the series' direction.

When was the Dragon Quest 12 restart officially confirmed?

The restart was confirmed via an interview with Yuji Horii and Yu Miyake published in January 2025. The news was then widely reported by English-language outlets, with Kotaku publishing the specifics of the "back to square one" development strategy on January 24, 2025.

Is Dragon Quest 12 still in active development?

Yes. Yuji Horii confirmed that development is "going well" despite the reset. The restart does not mean development stopped entirely, but rather that the core design framework was re-established from the ground up to reflect the team's new vision.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based on the reporting of Zack Zwiezen for Kotaku, published on January 24, 2025. The Kotaku report synthesized a Japanese-language interview with Yuji Horii and Yu Miyake as the primary source of facts regarding the development reset. All direct quotes regarding the "start from scratch" decision and combat changes are derived from this secondary source material. This article was last updated on January 25, 2025.

"We restarted development from scratch. That doesn't mean everyone stopped, but we went back to square one."

— Yu Miyake, Producer (via Kotaku, Jan 2025)

"We decided to change the combat system, among other things."

— Yuji Horii, Series Creator (via Kotaku, Jan 2025)