Is it time to give up on the Dragon Quest series in the West?

From the article I posted(which more recent than the one you used):



Mobile-only gamers are growing and already represent the single biggest group of gamers.

Also the article you posted uses this which rather ambigiously splits Smartphone and Wireless Device into two separate categories.

But that's just the US, how about other Western countries like the UK?

And again, what is your point?

" growing " = main?

Does that article state that in the west ( aka the US / Canada, which is what im talking about ) that people play handhelds as their primary gaming platform over a console device? Does the article mention whether they are including smartphones in the " mobile " sector? I have never heard of a DS being called a " mobile " gaming device. Its always been a Handheld within the gaming sector. Mobile was for cell phones.

Hell lets stop being anecdotal and ask the gamers right here on this forum. Set up a poll asking what their PRIMARY gaming platform is, handheld / console or smartphone and see what happens. You have any sort of confidence that handheld would end up on top? Or even close to?
 
Well, this is something that is not set in stone. Horii can change that and I hope he does.

That's why we are talking about the future. 3DS is a dying king anywhere you look. Yes, another DQ would do great in Japan, even the world, but what about the next game? Will Square-Enix, will Horii wait and see if Nintendo can pull another sucessful portable? What about the challenge and satisfaction as a developer to do something new? Look at what Atlus is bringing us. FFXV and KHIII are coming too. Xenoblade X is a reality already.

Right now they have an opportunity to give another shot with DQ, no more limited to Japan, no more limited to the hardware of portables. FF and KH got their pass, why not try with DQ too? Actually, they don't need to abandon 3DS, they can continue to milk spins on the portable for Japan. I'm just tired to see no game coming to the Western market, I want to play and Nintendo is doing nothing for us.

Oh no, I think you misunderstand me. I'm not saying that DQ will only ever come out on Handhelds. We could very well have the next DQ game be on consoles. All I am saying is that SE will let the Japanese audience decide the platform. The west doesn't enter that equation at all. It would be like if Activision decided to make the next COD a 3DS exclusive because that's what the most popular console is in Japan ATM. It doesn't make sense from a business standpoint. And yes I do want a DQ game in west, and it sucks that it seems like no one wants to bring them here :(
 
This is quite the simplification. Japan itself is quite a unique market in many ways, and whilst there is definitely a lot of success to be gained by sticking to the 3DS considering the success of the previous installment, they also need to take into account the creative needs of their staff, their long-term outlook, as well as the changing parameters of the market. It's not like the install base of the PS4 will be completely embarrassing by the time a hypothetical Dragon Quest XI releases on it, and partnering up with SCE has its benefits, financial and otherwise.

Timing, creative needs, market parameters, brand outlook, and various other factors come into consideration. There tends to be a very short-sighted outlook on GAF a lot of the time. There's nothing stopping Dragon Quest returning to smaller platforms in the future if a venture into larger territory isn't as prosperous as hoped. Not that I'm saying anything in particular here outside of the fact that your comment is quite the disservice to the kind of decision making that can go on behind the scenes. It's not always about the now, a good businessman keeps in mind the future.

That's true, I might be going with a very simplistic view and as pointed out they could be looking at the Asian markets. I'm not about to pretend that publishers are infallible decision makers though, definitely not Square Enix.

As to the bolded, if we're talking about Japan, it won't be embarrassing but it's going to be still low. The N3DS has already overtaken the PS4.

You can't compare sales of consoles and handhelds. Yes, the DS sold a lot, but how many iterations and LEs were sold? Handhelds typically being much cheaper, many people buy several versions of the same handheld. I, myself had 4 different DS systems, and this friday I'll be purchasing my fourth 3DS system. Has it ever been shown how many individual DS gamers there were? I'm sure its far, far smaller than the total number of systems sold.

In contrast, not many people will buy different iterations of the same console and usually only buy it once.

That's hard to quantify and they did release several PS3 SKUs and I know people who owned more than one. It's also the argument that people make about RROD and the 360 but if you can't quantify it then you can't make any declarations from it.

EDIT:
And again, what is your point?

" growing " = main?

Does that article state that in the west ( aka the US / Canada, which is what im talking about ) that people play handhelds as their primary gaming platform over a console device? Does the article mention whether they are including smartphones in the " mobile " sector? I have never heard of a DS being called a " mobile " gaming device. Its always been a Handheld within the gaming sector. Mobile was for cell phones.

Hell lets stop being anecdotal and ask the gamers right here on this forum. Set up a poll asking what their PRIMARY gaming platform is, handheld / console or smartphone and see what happens. You have any sort of confidence that handheld would end up on top? Or even close to?

I never said anything about the DS. The average gamer doesn't use consoles at all.

Also I can't believe you are actually suggesting NeoGaf represents the average gamer. That's the most hilarious thing I've seen all week.
 
I'd love to see DQ VII and Monsters be released but if SE doesn't wanna bother then it doesn't pain me that much, it just saves me money and less agony.
 
That's true, I might be going with a very simplistic view and as pointed out they could be looking at the Asian markets. I'm not about to pretend that publishers are infallible decision makers though, definitely not Square Enix.

As to the bolded, if we're talking about Japan, it won't be embarrassing but it's going to be still low. The N3DS has already overtaken the PS4.



That's hard to quantify and they did release several PS3 SKUs and I know people who owned more than one. It's also the argument that people make about RROD and the 360 but if you can't quantify it then you can't make any declarations from it.

EDIT:


I never said anything about the DS. The average gamer doesn't use consoles at all.

Also I can't believe you are actually suggesting NeoGaf represents the average gamer. That's the most hilarious thing I've seen all week.

BAHA

You serious?

You think in the west the average gamer DOESNT USE CONSOLES AT ALL?

LOL

Credibility just took a suicide dive off the grand canyon man sorry.
 
Dragon Quest XI is coming out for the PS4, exclusively? I doubt it, but you'll be able to play it on your PS4 when it comes out. You can deny it all you want. DQH is coming for Sony systems says and I think that says enough. They are trying to build the fanbase on those consoles, it's a sign of the things to come.
 
That's hard to quantify and they did release several PS3 SKUs and I know people who owned more than one. It's also the argument that people make about RROD and the 360 but if you can't quantify it then you can't make any declarations from it.

The one point you can make is that people buy more games on consoles. Shipments for the PS2 and Nintendo DS are more or less equal, but the PS2 shipped 1.5B pieces of software to the NDS's 950M. Whether that is due to people buying more handheld iterations (or more households owning multiple handhelds), or to people spending more time on average playing their consoles, who knows.

Obviously, this doesn't change the fact that DQ9 was the best selling entry in the franchise.
 
BAHA

You serious?

You think in the west the average gamer DOESNT USE CONSOLES AT ALL?

LOL

Credibility just took a suicide dive off the grand canyon man sorry.

At all is an exaggeration but the majority of gaming is not done on consoles.

I'll be sure to take your advice on credibility to heart because you've been nothing but credible and consistent.
 
BAHA

You serious?

You think in the west the average gamer DOESNT USE CONSOLES AT ALL?

LOL

Credibility just took a suicide dive off the grand canyon man sorry.

I have to respond .
A gamer means anyone who plays games . Your grandmother , mother , aunts , uncles and sisters , brothers etc all plays games on their smart devices. Out of them , only a fraction actually plays games on a home console.
 
IX was a huge step down from VIII. It was dumbed down, repetitive and tedious, especially compared to previous entries in the series. And many people also DIDN'T love it.
Hah, IMO DQ8 was a massive step down from 7 and was very dumbed down. DQ9 was a wonderful return to form.

Most people seem to just hate on 9 because they are graphics babies or have a weird hatred of handhelds/DS.
 
I have to respond .
A gamer means anyone who plays games . Your grandmother , mother , aunts , uncles and sisters , brothers etc all plays games on their smart devices. Out of them , only a fraction actually plays games on a home console.

if you called my grandmother a gamer she would smack you. My mom would just look at you like a fool. My aunts would ask what a gamer even is.

" gamer is anyone who has played a game before " is BS and you know it. A gamer is someone who ROUTINELY plays games.

thats like me calling myself a Golfer just because I go out to hit some balls or play a round a few times a year

.....

WTF DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH DQ IN THE WEST

augh.
 
Dragon Quest XI is coming out for the PS4, exclusively? I doubt it, but you'll be able to play it on your PS4 when it comes out. You can deny it all you want. DQH is coming for Sony systems says and I think that says enough. They are trying to build the fanbase on those consoles, it's a sign of the things to come.

I also think that it will be on PS4 but that logic doesn't play out fully. The vast majority of DQ releases have been on 3DS(or Smartphones) in recent years but both of those platforms have been ruled out.

The one point you can make is that people buy more games on consoles. Shipments for the PS2 and Nintendo DS are more or less equal, but the PS2 shipped 1.5B pieces of software to the NDS's 950M. Whether that is due to people buying more handheld iterations (or more households owning multiple handhelds), or to people spending more time on average playing their consoles, who knows.

Obviously, this doesn't change the fact that DQ9 was the best selling entry in the franchise.

That's very true. Attach ratios are higher for consoles.
 
Will they ever make another mainline Dragon Quest game for consoles ? The only DQ game I have played is VIII for PS2 and I remember really liking it.
 
2 years ago I was so naive that I bought a Wii U at launch thinking Dragon Quest X was coming to the west. I would still do anything to have that game localized, but I have long accepted that the series is dead. Maybe Sony will pick up the slack for 11, but at this point I don't have much faith. These and PSO threads always bum me out.
 
I also think that it will be on PS4 but that logic doesn't play out fully. The vast majority of DQ releases have been on 3DS(or Smartphones) in recent years but both of those platforms have been ruled out.
That's exactly the reason why I think DQXI is coming out for the PS4. You just don't release lots of games of a certain franchise on Nintendo systems/smartphones for years and then a PS3/PS4 game out the blue (DQH could've been possible on the Wii U, EASILY). There is some sort of deal going on and I'm pretty sure it has to do with releasing some DQ games on Sony home consoles.
 
Hah, IMO DQ8 was a massive step down from 7 and was very dumbed down. DQ9 was a wonderful return to form.

Most people seem to just hate on 9 because they are graphics babies or have a weird hatred of handhelds/DS.

Are you serious? I am not a "graphics baby" and I don't have a weird hatred of handhelds. IX removed several sidequest staples, like monster collecting and casinos. And it dumbed down the medal quest, so instead of having a set number of medals in the game, where some were missable, IX just made them unlimited. It was pointless.

Both the story and characters (or lack thereof) sucked as well. And if you think VIII was a step down from VII, you're just not a real DQ fan.
 
2 years ago I was so naive that I bought a Wii U at launch thinking Dragon Quest X was coming to the west. I would still do anything to have that game localized, but I have long accepted that the series is dead. Maybe Sony will pick up the slack for 11, but at this point I don't have much faith. These and PSO threads always bum me out.
PSO2 is even worst for you guys since i can play it in English now in my part of the world.
 
2 years ago I was so naive that I bought a Wii U at launch thinking Dragon Quest X was coming to the west. I would still do anything to have that game localized, but I have long accepted that the series is dead. Maybe Sony will pick up the slack for 11, but at this point I don't have much faith. These and PSO threads always bum me out.

Subscription based MMO market in the west is on severe life support, and Dragon Quest was never that popular a franchise to begin with. I think it makes sense that they killed the DQX localization, given the fact that MMOs have ongoing costs and overhead beyond typical localization efforts.
 
That's exactly the reason why I think DQXI is coming out for the PS4. You just don't release lots of games of a certain franchise on Nintendo systems/smartphones for years and then a PS3/PS4 game out the blue. There is some sort of deal going on and I'm pretty sure it has to do with releasing some DQ games on Sony home consoles.

Well yeah, good point you are probably right. It is, however, worth noting that Horii said Koei Tecmo wanted DQ Heroes on PS3/PS4 and that those systems were best suited to the game. As a Musou game(or close to one) it's hard to disagree with that assessment.

EDIT:
Are you serious? I am not a "graphics baby" and I don't have a weird hatred of handhelds. IX removed several sidequest staples, like monster collecting and casinos. And it dumbed down the medal quest, so instead of having a set number of medals in the game, where some were missable, IX just made them unlimited. It was pointless.

Both the story and characters (or lack thereof) sucked as well. And if you think VIII was a step down from VII, you're just not a real DQ fan.

Regardless of anything else that's BS. Tons of people prefer VII to VIII.
 
Maybe if we're really lucky Nintendo will release DQ7 in the West (or at least in North America) since the 3DS probably has until xmas of 2016. That would give them time to release it... and they haven't announced anything like Bravely Default or Fantasy Life in the last few months so that could be the game they're currently localizing, and will announce at E3.

Fingers crossed.
 
Rather than giving up Dragon Quest in the West, I feel that, first, Square-Enix have to first make an attempt.

Do you know what the first Dragon Quest game released in Europe was? Dragon Quest VIII. They even dropped the numeral because it was the first game they released in the region. Since then, we got IX, and the DS remakes up to VI. We got a myriad of spin-off titles from 2006 as well.

S-E might look at this and consider this a solid attempt, but I don't think this is the case. Spin-offs and handheld remakes only generate so much attention or enthusiasm. Square-Enix, whether they like it or not, need to make a new home console game. PS4 is plainly the best bet, for the sake of Japanese sales. A Dragon Quest XI, for PS4, would have a much better chance of success in the west than anything Dragon Quest-related released in the last decade. Square-Enix have been making platform decisions that make sense in the Japanese market, but make less sense to the wider world. That's a perfectly acceptable business decision considering the vast numbers that Dragon Quest garners in Japan, but they can hardly expect western players to adapt to those decisions.

I'm hopeful that it's Square-Enix's plan to release a Dragon Quest XI on PS4, though. I see it that releasing Dragon Quest Heroes is an attempt to draw the fanbase to the platform, in much the same way that Final Fantasy Type-0 HD is drawing Final Fantasy fans to the new generation. If they really want to draw western fans to Dragon Quest, then they need to release Dragon Quest Heroes over here as well. If they're unwilling to do that, then they have only themselves to blame for the series' reception in the west. If you aren't releasing the appealing titles, such as Dragon Quest VII 3DS and Dragon Quest Heroes, how can they expect the series as a whole to be welcomed abroad? If they're making Dragon Quest XI for PS4, they need to warm us up with Heroes too.
 
I can't see DQH not being localized. There would be no point in the ps4 version otherwise.

I expect DQXI on ps3/ps4. And I expect Sony to foot the bill localizing it. SE isn't gonna do squat.
 
Hell lets stop being anecdotal
and ask the gamers right here on this forum.

if you called my grandmother a gamer she would smack you. My mom would just look at you like a fool. My aunts would ask what a gamer even is.
Heh.

WTF DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH DQ IN THE WEST
I'm not sure. What was the last relevant fact revealed about Dragon Quest in the West? Something about how it sold better on handhelds?
 
Heh.


I'm not sure. What was the last relevant fact revealed about Dragon Quest in the West? Something about how it sold better on handhelds?

According to whom?

Chartz? I don't see any sales numbers anywhere else. I do see DQVIII sold 3.1 mill in the first week on the PS2 in Japan and the DS version only did 2.9 million in the first week. HA! CONSOLES ARE BETTER BITCHES :P

OH SHIT

North America

Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King 510,000
Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies 416,655+

http://dragon-quest.org/wiki/Worldwide_Dragon_Quest_Sales

some people may have to find a new religion

damnit, even those are from Chartz.

Seriously, does anyone but fucking chartz attempt to track sales? Its ridiculous
 
That's true, I might be going with a very simplistic view and as pointed out they could be looking at the Asian markets. I'm not about to pretend that publishers are infallible decision makers though, definitely not Square Enix.

As to the bolded, if we're talking about Japan, it won't be embarrassing but it's going to be still low. The N3DS has already overtaken the PS4.
Absolutely, publishers aren't infallible, but they don't make decisions off a whim either. You're basing your opinion off sales data. Publishers have that sales data too. They also have access to far more detailed data that allows them to make informed decisions. This is neglecting other benefits that can come their way depending on the kind of deal negotiated. It's in those particular details, which you can't see, where you can break down the numbers and find out what makes sense, and what kind of risk/reward scenario one might be looking at. If we were to simply stick to your line of argument however, which seems to boil down to install bases, what happens if DQXI is a PS3/PS4 title? That argument begins to carry even less merit.

This is besides the point however, since I'm not really interested in discussing this at any length. I was simply replying to your original post where you seemed to imply that Dragon Quest on anything but a handheld platform would be illogical. I, of course, firmly believe otherwise.
 
Absolutely, publishers aren't infallible, but they don't make decisions off a whim either. You're basing your opinion off sales data. Publishers have that sales data too. They also have access to far more detailed data that allows them to make informed decisions. This is neglecting other benefits that can come their way depending on the kind of deal negotiated. It's in those particular details, which you can't see, where you can break down the numbers and find out what makes sense, and what kind of risk/reward scenario one might be looking at. If we were to simply stick to your line of argument however, which seems to boil down to install bases, what happens if DQXI is a PS3/PS4 title? That argument begins to carry even less merit.

This is besides the point however, since I'm not really interested in discussing this at any length. I was simply replying to your original post where you seemed to imply that Dragon Quest on anything but a handheld platform would be illogical. I, of course, firmly believe otherwise.

3DS still has a bigger install base than both in Japan but I do get your point. I actually don't think a console release is illogical, I just think ignoring the 3DS(and/or Smartphones) definitely is for a franchise that is historically very reliant on Japanese sales. I get the idea of trying to appeal to the west, I just think it's probably foolhardy if its at the expense of the success you already have.
 
3DS still has a bigger install base than both in Japan but I do get your point. I actually don't think a console release is illogical, I just think ignoring the 3DS(and/or Smartphones) definitely is for a franchise that is historically very reliant on Japanese sales. I get the idea of trying to appeal to the west, I just think it's probably foolhardy if its at the expense of the success you already have.
Iit's not just about install bases, nor is it just about trying to appeal to the West. This is what I was trying to convey earlier. Beyond a certain point, install bases begin to mean less in regards to sales potential, and simply using sales data for a previous platform doesn't necessarily give you the full picture either. You're making a huge assumption at the end there too.
 
Iit's not just about install bases, nor is it just about trying to appeal to the West. This is what I was trying to convey earlier. Beyond a certain point, install bases begin to mean less in regards to sales potential, and simply using sales data for a previous platform doesn't necessarily give you the full picture either. You're making a huge assumption at the end there too.

I don't think it's a huge assumption to suggest a console DQ would sell than a handheld one in Japan. The best selling HD console game is FFXIII at 1.9 million, DQIX sold over 4 million. The PS3 has only sold 10 million consoles and the PS4 has sold 1 million. Selling 3 million copies would be a really big challenge, nevermind 4 million.

If we want to ignore hardware sales then in regards to software the only system churning out multimillion sellers in Japan is the 3DS.

EDIT: Basically this is a case where install base is arguably quite important.
 
I don't think it's a huge assumption to suggest a console DQ would sell than a handheld one in Japan. The best selling HD console game is FFXIII at 1.9 million, DQIX sold over 4 million. The PS3 has only sold 10 million consoles and the PS4 has sold 1 million. Selling 3 million copies would be a really big challenge, nevermind 4 million.

If we want to ignore hardware sales then in regards to software the only system churning out multimillion sellers in Japan is the 3DS.

EDIT: Basically this is a case where install base is arguably quite important.

Plus the whole thing of "Dragon Quest goes where the install base already is, not going somewhere to drive the install base."
 
Well yeah, good point you are probably right. It is, however, worth noting that Horii said Koei Tecmo wanted DQ Heroes on PS3/PS4 and that those systems were best suited to the game. As a Musou game(or close to one) it's hard to disagree with that assessment.
I'm sure that's just some good ol' PR BS statement, it's his way to say " Sony paid us some good money and we definitely see the potential of this franchise on Sony platforms, and money, did I say money?" I mean how can DQH not be suitable for a system like the Wii U? DQX was playable on it, it has better specs than the PS3 and it's not like Hyrule Warriors was a bad looking/performing/selling game on the Wii U, DQH doesn't even have cross platform play between the PS3/PS4 so I don't know what their idea is of "best suited for" other than what I mentioned earlier in this post.

Also, that SCEJ CEO publicly saying "welcome back home" at TGS says a lot, he wouldn't say something like that just for one spin off game.

PS. I'm not port-begging at all I'm just trying to make my point across that there is more going on than "The PS4 is selling really good/has the best specs"
 
Plus the whole thing of "Dragon Quest goes where the install base already is, not going somewhere to drive the install base."

Well I'm sure that DQXI would certainly help build install base but it would have to be a rapid expansion and very, very uncharacteristic of home consoles in Japan in recent years.

I'm sure that's just some good ol' PR BS statement, it's his way to say " Sony paid us some good money and we definitely see the potential of this franchise on Sony platforms, and money, did I say money?" I mean how can DQH not be suitable for a system like the Wii U? DQX was playable on it, it has better specs than the PS3 and it's not like Hyrule Warriors was a bad looking/performing/selling game on the Wii U, DQH doesn't even have cross platform play between the PS3/PS4 so I don't know what their idea is of "best suited for" other than what I mentioned earlier in this post.

PS. I'm not port-begging at all I'm just trying to make my point across that there is more going on than "The PS4 is selling really good/has the best specs"

Yeah, I totally get what you're saying. Musou games do sell best on PS3 though and KT have been actively trying to migrate over to PS4. I'm just saying that Horii did give a reason if we're taking him at face value.
 
I'm sure that's just some good ol' PR BS statement, it's his way to say " Sony paid us some good money and we definitely see the potential of this franchise on Sony platforms, and money, did I say money?" I mean how can DQH not be suitable for a system like the Wii U? DQX was playable on it, it has better specs than the PS3 and it's not like Hyrule Warriors was a bad looking/performing/selling game on the Wii U, DQH doesn't even have cross platform play between the PS3/PS4 so I don't know what their idea is of "best suited for" other than what I mentioned earlier in this post.

Also, that SCEJ CEO publicly saying "welcome back home" at TGS says a lot, he wouldn't say something like that just for one spin off game.

I'm not port-begging at all I'm just trying to make my point across that there is more going on than "The PS4 is selling really good/has the best specs"

DQH will the vast majority of its sales in Japan. Musou have so far bombed on the WiiU. HW did 132k there.
 
Are you serious? I am not a "graphics baby" and I don't have a weird hatred of handhelds. IX removed several sidequest staples, like monster collecting and casinos. And it dumbed down the medal quest, so instead of having a set number of medals in the game, where some were missable, IX just made them unlimited. It was pointless.

Both the story and characters (or lack thereof) sucked as well. And if you think VIII was a step down from VII, you're just not a real DQ fan.

Been playing Dragon Quest games since '99. Have all of the original JPN releases and all the console/handheld remakes in either JPN or Eigo. Have all the DQM handheld games plus remakes. Bought a Japanese 3DS to play keep playing Dragon Quest games. Played 60 hours of and beat Dragon Quest VII in a language I barely understand, the 4th time I've finished that game.

"Not a real DQ fan"

VIII made your party totally static -- no changing characters, no class system -- it introduced the pointless skill point system, a very empty world that made running around really painful, a horribly annoying cast of characters with really terrible voice acting. It's the only mainline Dragon Quest game I've ever found boring. The only positive things I ever hear about VIII is people complementing the presentation -- oh wow the graphics, such cel shading, the orchestra, etc.

IX brought back the classic DQ3 class and party system, brought the world size back to a reasonable size and made it fun to look around again, it has the wonderful vignette map/scenario layout that 6 & 7 had, and had the really neat grotto/map system. After 7 it's probably my favorite of the bunch.
 
Wait why are people crapping on IX?? Of all the DQ's I've played VIII's my favorite and IX's maybe my least favorite but its still pretty darn amazing an fun! Heck I think its overall main story tops VIII's! Now the downside is I can never re-experience said story unless I wipe my save file or buy another copy and a cheat device to unlock the post-game "downloadable" story related quests. Thanks for cheaping out on cartridge size SE/Nintendo >_<

SE said they are not working on it, so even if they start now, it would be too late.

Type-0 kinda mess. Yes, they don't learn from past mistakes.
Which is why they should repeat themselves again by doing an HD "remake" of it!
 
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