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Dragon Quest X Confirmed For Wii And Wii U, Online Focused
At an event in Japan today, Square Enix finally fully revealed Dragon Quest X, a game they originally announced for the Wii years ago. This latest title in one of the longest-running JRPG franchises is now being developed for the Wii U as well and will focus more heavily on online multiplayer than previous games in the series.
During the event, series creator Yuji Horii revealed that DQ X is now called "Dragon Quest X Online." Horii referred to the game as an "online RPG" several times, although it remains uncertain if it will be a traditional MMO or something more akin to the small-party multiplayer of Monster Hunter and Dragon Quest IX.
Andriasang points out that the Dragon Quest X website contains a TBA section for "usage fee" in addition to price. The fact that this section exists at all suggests that there may be a subscription fee for the game, which certainly makes it sound like a full-on MMO.
Players will be able to play with each other no matter which version of the game they're playing on, but the Wii U version will have improved graphics, as you might expect. Square also hinted at possible 3DS compatibility of some sort.
While specific gameplay details are light at the moment, we know that players will be able to craft weapons and own property in the game. Also other players will be able to use your character as an NPC when you're offline.
Interestingly, Square Enix seems to be developing DQ X internally. The series has traditionally been made by outside studios, with the most recent entries being developed by Level-5.
Dragon Quest X is being planned for a 2012 release on both platforms, but Square says a beta test is coming before that. Hopefully we'll get plenty more info on what's up with this game before then. And hopefully it won't be another Final Fantasy XIV.
[details from this story via Joystiq, Andriasang, @markmacd]
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