Square Enix Addresses Dragon Quest 12 and Lukewarm Preservation Plans

Square Enix President Takashi Kiryu sidestepped questions about Dragon Quest 12's release timing at a recent shareholder Q&A, while the publisher offered a lukewarm response to rising concerns over game preservation. The meeting highlighted a company navigating long-term development cycles alongside the inevitable sunsetting of its digital catalog.

The details emerged from the publisher's latest annual shareholder meeting, where investors pressed executives on the future of both unreleased blockbusters and aging software.

The details

• Dragon Quest 12: President Takashi Kiryu asked fans to "wait a little longer" for release updates
• Final Fantasy XV: Square Enix is open to bringing a version of the RPG to Nintendo platforms
• Preservation policy: No guarantee of permanent playability; alternative pathways like YouTube cutscene uploads will be used instead

What about the games?

When asked specifically about a reboot or progress on Dragon Quest 12, Kiryu declined to offer concrete details. Instead, he asked fans to wait just a little longer for updates regarding when the game might actually launch. In the world of major RPG development, "a little longer" is a unit of time that can occasionally be measured in console generations.

Meanwhile, the publisher showed more flexibility regarding its back catalog. Following an investor inquiry, Square Enix confirmed it is open to bringing a version of Final Fantasy XV to Nintendo platforms. Letting Noctis and company take a road trip on Nintendo hardware is a logical next step for a game that has already made its way onto almost every other screen imaginable.

Can legacy games be saved?

The conversation took a more sober turn when shareholders raised concerns about game preservation, yielding what was described as a lukewarm response from the company. Square Enix made it clear that it does not promise to keep its titles playable forever.

Instead, the publisher aims to create alternative pathways for fans to enjoy their favorite games after online services officially end. The prime example offered by the company was uploading game cutscenes to YouTube. It is a solution that preserves the plot, even if it treats active gameplay more like a museum exhibit you can only look at through a glass screen.

Why it matters

As the games industry shifts further into digital-only releases and live-service models, preservation has become a central point of tension between publishers and players. Square Enix’s approach suggests a focus on narrative documentation rather than active software maintenance. At the same time, the publisher’s willingness to court new platforms and its quiet approach to major sequels show a company balancing its massive legacy with the practicalities of modern development.