Editing Dragon Quest (universe)

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In 1982, {{iw|wikipedia|Enix}} sponsored a video game programming contest in Japan which would bring much of the original ''Dragon Quest'' team together, including creator [[Yuji Horii]]. The prize was a trip to the United States and a visit to AppleFest '83 in San Francisco, where Horii discovered the ''{{iw|wikipedia|Wizardry}}'' series of American role-playing games. Fellow contest winners {{iw|wikipedia|Koichi Nakamura}} and Yukinobu Chida, working with Horii, released the Enix game ''{{iw|wikipedia|The Portopia Serial Murder Case}}'' for NEC's PC-6001 in 1983; it was an instant success which set an early standard for non-traditional, open-ended gameplay. It received a free port under Square Enix's AI technology preview 40 years after its release. This style would influence many games after its release, including Enix's own ''Dragon Quest'', but also inspired other key people in the video game industry such as [[Hideo Kojima]] and {{iw|wikipedia|Eiji Aonuma}} for the {{uv|Metal Gear}} and {{uv|The Legend of Zelda}} franchises, respectively, with the former porting the game as a secret content in ''{{iw|wikipedia|Metal Gear Solid V}}''.
In 1982, {{iw|wikipedia|Enix}} sponsored a video game programming contest in Japan which would bring much of the original ''Dragon Quest'' team together, including creator [[Yuji Horii]]. The prize was a trip to the United States and a visit to AppleFest '83 in San Francisco, where Horii discovered the ''{{iw|wikipedia|Wizardry}}'' series of American role-playing games. Fellow contest winners {{iw|wikipedia|Koichi Nakamura}} and Yukinobu Chida, working with Horii, released the Enix game ''{{iw|wikipedia|The Portopia Serial Murder Case}}'' for NEC's PC-6001 in 1983; it was an instant success which set an early standard for non-traditional, open-ended gameplay. It received a free port under Square Enix's AI technology preview 40 years after its release. This style would influence many games after its release, including Enix's own ''Dragon Quest'', but also inspired other key people in the video game industry such as [[Hideo Kojima]] and {{iw|wikipedia|Eiji Aonuma}} for the {{uv|Metal Gear}} and {{uv|The Legend of Zelda}} franchises, respectively, with the former porting the game as a secret content in ''{{iw|wikipedia|Metal Gear Solid V}}''.


A few years later, Horii desired to introduce the concept of role-playing games to the wider Japanese video game audience, distilling the experience to its purest form. To this end, his team began to develop an RPG that would combine elements from the American computer games ''Wizardry'' and ''{{iw|wikipedia|Ultima}}''. These series were popular among computer hobbyists in Japan, but were deemed too difficult and convoluted for the average player to enjoy. In order to make this game more accessible than the usual computer RPG of the time, it was designed to be more streamlined and fast-paced, with a greater focus on exploration, combat, and storytelling. Horii combined the full-screen map of ''Ultima'' with the battle and statistic-oriented ''Wizardry'' screens to create the core gameplay of ''Dragon Quest''. He chose the {{iw|wikipedia|Famicom}} because, unlike arcade games, players would not have to worry about spending more money upon defeat, and could continue playing from a save point. Noted late {{iw|wikipedia|mangaka}} {{iw|wikipedia|Akira Toriyama}}, of ''{{iw|wikipedia|Dragon Ball}}'' fame, was commissioned to illustrate the characters and monsters, as well as the game's logo, which is well-known for its curved title with the letter "T" shaped like a sword (which served as an inspiration for other video game logo designs; for example, {{uv|Minecraft}}'s logo made by [https://minecraft.wiki/w/Markus_Toivonen Markus Toivonen]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/jnkboy/status/1352023746643685380 |title=Junkboy on Twitter |website=Twitter |date=January 27, 2021 |accessdate=January 14, 2023}}</ref>). Similarly, late music composer {{iw|wikipedia|Koichi Sugiyama}}, known for advertising jingles and pop songs, was hired to compose the game's soundtrack after he sent a postcard to Enix praising their previous work.
A few years later, Horii desired to introduce the concept of role-playing games to the wider Japanese video game audience, distilling the experience to its purest form. To this end, his team began to develop an RPG that would combine elements from the American computer games ''Wizardry'' and ''{{iw|wikipedia|Ultima}}''. These series were popular among computer hobbyists in Japan, but were deemed too difficult and convoluted for the average player to enjoy. In order to make this game more accessible than the usual computer RPG of the time, it was designed to be more streamlined and fast-paced, with a greater focus on exploration, combat, and storytelling. Horii combined the full-screen map of ''Ultima'' with the battle and statistic-oriented ''Wizardry'' screens to create the core gameplay of ''Dragon Quest''. He chose the {{iw|wikipedia|Famicom}} because, unlike arcade games, players would not have to worry about spending more money upon defeat, and could continue playing from a save point. Noted late {{iw|wikipedia|mangaka}} {{iw|wikipedia|Akira Toriyama}}, of ''{{iw|wikipedia|Dragon Ball}}'' fame, was commissioned to illustrate the characters and monsters, as well as the game's logo, which is well-known for its curved title with the letter "T" shaped like a sword (which served as an inspiration for other video game logo designs; for example, {{uv|Minecraft}}'s logo made by [https://minecraft.wiki/w/Markus_Toivonen Markus Toivonen]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/jnkboy/status/1352023746643685380 |title=Junkboy on Twitter |website=Twitter |date=January 27, 2021 |accessdate=January 14, 2023}}</ref>). Similarly, music composer {{iw|wikipedia|Koichi Sugiyama}}, known for advertising jingles and pop songs, was hired to compose the game's soundtrack after he sent a postcard to Enix praising their previous work.


While ''{{iw|wikipedia|Dragon Quest|video game}}'' was in development, many doubted that a fantasy series with swords and sorcery would become popular in Japan, as the more predominant fantasy genre at the time was science fiction; however, the game became an overnight sensation upon its release in 1986, thanks to advertising in the ''Weekly Shonen Jump'' magazine, which ran Toriyama's ''Dragon Ball'' at the time. This ultimately led to ''Dragon Quest'' becoming a game that took the Japanese media by storm, and opened the door for a wider variety of genres for both Nintendo's console and the gaming industry as a whole. The team immediately began work on a sequel, and the ''Dragon Quest'' series quickly became a booming franchise spanning multiple forms of media like spin-off games, novels, manga, anime, live music performances, and even a feature-length film.
While ''{{iw|wikipedia|Dragon Quest|video game}}'' was in development, many doubted that a fantasy series with swords and sorcery would become popular in Japan, as the more predominant fantasy genre at the time was science fiction; however, the game became an overnight sensation upon its release in 1986, thanks to advertising in the ''Weekly Shonen Jump'' magazine, which ran Toriyama's ''Dragon Ball'' at the time. This ultimately led to ''Dragon Quest'' becoming a game that took the Japanese media by storm, and opened the door for a wider variety of genres for both Nintendo's console and the gaming industry as a whole. The team immediately began work on a sequel, and the ''Dragon Quest'' series quickly became a booming franchise spanning multiple forms of media like spin-off games, novels, manga, anime, live music performances, and even a feature-length film.
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*Also in 2007, the action role-playing game ''{{iw|wikipedia|Dragon Quest Swords}}'' was released for the Wii, and uses the Wii Remote's internal motion sensor.
*Also in 2007, the action role-playing game ''{{iw|wikipedia|Dragon Quest Swords}}'' was released for the Wii, and uses the Wii Remote's internal motion sensor.
*In 2015, the ''{{iw|wikipedia|Dragon Quest Heroes}}'' set of hack and slash game was created. It is based on the mechanics of the ''{{iw|wikipedia|Dynasty Warriors}}'' series, featuring playable original characters and side characters from ''Dragon Quest IV'' onward.
*In 2015, the ''{{iw|wikipedia|Dragon Quest Heroes}}'' set of hack and slash game was created. It is based on the mechanics of the ''{{iw|wikipedia|Dynasty Warriors}}'' series, featuring playable original characters and side characters from ''Dragon Quest IV'' onward.
*In 2016, the ''{{iw|wikipedia|Dragon Quest Builders}}'' set of sandbox games was created. It combines the setting of ''Dragon Quest'' with crafting and survival mechanics similar to ''Minecraft''.
*In 2016, the ''{{iw|wikipedia|Dragon Quest Builders}}'' set of sandbox games was created. It combines the setting of ''Dragon Quest'' with crafting and survival mechanics similar to Minecraft.
*In 2017, a card battling game inspired by ''{{iw|wikipedia|Hearthstone}}'' titled ''{{iw|wikipedia|Dragon Quest Rivals}}'' was released for mobile devices. It features many characters and monsters throughout the ''Dragon Quest'' mainline and spin-off series. It was later renamed to ''Dragon Quest Rivals Ace'' in 2020, with an additional single player mode. Both games would be shut down later in 2021.
*In 2019, an augmented reality, role-playing game inspired by ''{{iw|bulbapedia|Pokémon GO}}'' titled ''{{iw|wikipedia|Dragon Quest Walk}}'' was released for mobile devices exclusively in Japan, along with its service.
*In 2020, a tactical game titled ''{{iw|wikipedia|Dragon Quest Tact}}'' was released for mobile devices in Japan, then worldwide in 2021, before shutting down in 2024. It features new monsters, along with veteran monsters throughout the ''Dragon Quest'' series, and characters from the mainline and spin-off series.
*In 2023, a action role-playing game and battle royale, similar to other games like ''{{iw|wikipedia|Fortnite}}'' and now defunct ''{{iw|wikipedia|Final Fantasy VII: The First Soldier}}'', titled ''{{iw|wikipedia|Dragon Quest Champions}}'' was released for mobile in Japan.


Multiple smartphone games were also released. Barring ''{{iw|wikipedia|Dragon Quest Walk}}'', all of these games had their services shutdown few years later.
Remakes of the mainline entries have appeared on Nintendo's handheld systems, starting with ''Dragon Quest I'', ''II'', and ''III'' on the Game Boy Color in 2000. On the Nintendo DS, there was ''Dragon Quest IV'' in 2007, ''V'' in 2008, and ''VI'' in 2010. Then, remakes of ''Dragon Quest VII'' and ''VIII'' were released on the [[Nintendo 3DS]] in 2016 and 2017, respectively. Finally, ''Dragon Quest III'' would obtain another remake, titled ''Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake''. All of the remakes include reworked graphics and new gameplay features. The latest released installment of the core series, ''Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age'', was released in Japan in July 2017 for PlayStation 4 and Nintendo 3DS, and internationally in September 2018 for Steam, PlayStation 4, and barring the 3DS release. An enhanced port initially for [[Nintendo Switch]], as ''Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Definitive Edition'', released worldwide in September 2019, with enhanced Switch ports of ''Dragon Quest I'', ''II'', and ''III'' following. The ''Definitive Edition'' was later ported on Steam, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One in 2020, and Google Stadia the year after, making it the first time the franchise has a game published in a [[Microsoft]]-produced console. Since 2021, the latest installment of the core series is titled ''Dragon Quest XII: The Flames of Fate'', as it was announced in a teaser during the livestream of the franchise's 35th anniversary.
*In 2017, a card battling game inspired by ''{{iw|wikipedia|Hearthstone}}'' titled ''{{iw|wikipedia|Dragon Quest Rivals}}'' was released. It features many characters and monsters throughout the ''Dragon Quest'' mainline and spin-off series. It was later renamed to ''Dragon Quest Rivals Ace'' in 2020, with an additional single player mode.
*In 2019, an augmented reality, role-playing game inspired by ''{{iw|bulbapedia|Pokémon GO}}'' titled ''Dragon Quest Walk'' was released for mobile devices exclusively in Japan, along with its service.
*In 2020, a tactical game titled ''{{iw|wikipedia|Dragon Quest Tact}}'' was released in Japan, then worldwide in 2021. It features new monsters, along with veteran monsters throughout the ''Dragon Quest'' series, and characters from the mainline and spin-off series.
*In 2023, a action role-playing game and battle royale, similar to other games like ''{{iw|wikipedia|Fortnite}}'' and, defunct, ''{{iw|wikipedia|Final Fantasy VII: The First Soldier}}'', titled ''{{iw|wikipedia|Dragon Quest Champions}}'' was released in Japan.
 
Remakes of the mainline entries have appeared on Nintendo's handheld and hybrid systems, starting with ''Dragon Quest I'', ''II'', and ''III'' on the Game Boy Color in 2000. On the Nintendo DS, there was ''Dragon Quest IV'' in 2007, ''V'' in 2008, and ''VI'' in 2010. Then, remakes of ''Dragon Quest VII'' and ''VIII'' were released on the [[Nintendo 3DS]] in 2016 and 2017, respectively. Finally, the Erdrick trilogy obtained another remake as part of the ''HD-2D'' theme; ''Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake'' for 2024 and ''Dragon Quest I&II HD-2D Remake'' for 2025. All of the remakes include reworked graphics and new gameplay features. The latest released installment of the core series, ''Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age'', was released in Japan in July 2017 for PlayStation 4 and Nintendo 3DS, and internationally in September 2018 for Steam, PlayStation 4, and barring the 3DS release. An enhanced port initially for [[Nintendo Switch]], as ''Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Definitive Edition'', released worldwide in September 2019, with enhanced Switch ports of ''Dragon Quest I'', ''II'', and ''III'' following. The ''Definitive Edition'' was later ported on Steam, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One in 2020, and Google Stadia the year after, making it the first time the franchise has a game published in a [[Microsoft]]-produced console. Since 2021, the latest installment of the core series is titled ''Dragon Quest XII: The Flames of Fate'', as it was announced in a teaser during the livestream of the franchise's 35th anniversary.


According to [[Masahiro Sakurai]], fans of the ''Dragon Quest'' series had long requested for representation in ''Super Smash Bros.'', but he initially considered it impossible. With some encouragement from Nintendo, Sakurai created a passionate proposal to Square Enix, asking to include the Hero in ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate''; though he would have agreed to compromise if he was given permission only for a character like Slime, he felt that the Hero was the best option, even knowing the hurdles that would come with their inclusion. To his surprise, Square Enix agreed almost immediately: they appreciated Sakurai's passion and felt ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate'' was similar to ''Dragon Quest XI S'' as games that celebrate and combine elements from across their respective histories. It was equally shown in ''Dragon Quest XI'' with Tickington teleporting the party into specific places from past mainline games.<ref name="interview"/>
According to [[Masahiro Sakurai]], fans of the ''Dragon Quest'' series had long requested for representation in ''Super Smash Bros.'', but he initially considered it impossible. With some encouragement from Nintendo, Sakurai created a passionate proposal to Square Enix, asking to include the Hero in ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate''; though he would have agreed to compromise if he was given permission only for a character like Slime, he felt that the Hero was the best option, even knowing the hurdles that would come with their inclusion. To his surprise, Square Enix agreed almost immediately: they appreciated Sakurai's passion and felt ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate'' was similar to ''Dragon Quest XI S'' as games that celebrate and combine elements from across their respective histories. It was equally shown in ''Dragon Quest XI'' with Tickington teleporting the party into specific places from past mainline games.<ref name="interview"/>

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