Square Enix announced that the Dragon Quest series has sold over 100 million units worldwide. This significant achievement coincides with the franchise's 40th anniversary, which was marked by a special message from series creator Yuji Horii. "Thank you all so much," Horii stated, expressing gratitude for the enduring support that has allowed Dragon Quest to reach this milestone. He added that the team will continue to deliver exciting adventures and hopes for continued fan engagement.
The first Dragon Quest game was released in Japan on May 27, 1986. Over four decades, the series has grown into one of the most popular and influential RPG franchises, encompassing 11 mainline titles and numerous spin-offs across various genres, alongside adaptations in novels, manga, and anime. The next installment in the Dragon Quest Monsters series, "Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World," is scheduled for release later this year.
Development on "Dragon Quest 12: Beyond Dreams," initially revealed in 2021 as "Dragon Quest 12: The Flames of Fate," is proceeding after the development team decided to restart the project. While the original subtitle suggested a darker tone, the current direction for "Beyond Dreams" is said to be more aligned with the established expectations of the series. No release date or window has been provided for "Dragon Quest 12."