Dualshockers: Dragon Quest XI interview about Switch delay, being closer to a 'remaster', and more

Dreamboum · Apr 17, 2018

Dragon Quest XI Interview — Producer Talks Switch Version, Localization, Story and Much More

On Switch delay:

J: Square made a statement to the press recently mentioning that the development of the Switch version will take a long time. Could you give us any info about the stage of development the Switch version is in, and possibly quantify this "long time" a bit more precisely?

Unfortunately we can't quantify the time frame yet based on the current situation, but we can let you know what we're currently doing. To give you some background, when we were initially developing XI we did have the Switch version in our outlook for the platforms we wanted to release the game on. That being said, at that moment in time the SDK (Software Development Kit) for the Nintendo Switch wasn't ready, which means we couldn't start working on the port of game.

Now that the SDK is ready and the engine supports it we were able to startworking to support that platform for the game. That being said, the version of Unreal Engine 4 that supports the Switch is actually a version that's higher than what Dragon Quest XI was built on, so that means we need to upgrade the engine and that comes with a slew of issues.

Right now we're in the midst of resolving all those issues. Of course, we did consider bringing the Switch version out at the same time at the same time as the PS4 and PC versions but that meant since we don't have a precise outlook on the development timerframe, we still believe it's going to be a long way out.

We wanted our consumers on the PS4 and PC to experience the game overseas as soon as possible, which is why we're leading with the release of these platforms version in September.

On a September release:

J: The beginning of September and end of August are filled with a lot of game releases in the west. We have heavy hitters like Spider-Man and even Japanese games like Yakuza Kiwami 2 and more. How do you think Dragon Quest XI will fare alongside all of these games?

HO: One thing that we're really focused on with Dragon Quest XI is the story and the universe that have really been crafted with a lot of care. In that sense, of course, Spider-Man and Yakuza have their own stories to tell. That being said, the overall gameplay experience it differs completely from those games.

Of course, people who are seeking an exhilarating action game may seek to play those games, but we do feel like there is a demand for this kind of heavy story-driven experience as well. I feel like this one aspect could really differentiate our game from our competitors out there. So yeah we feel like there will be demand for our type of game.

More at the link above. It also talks about the lack of a 3DS version, the localization, Final Fantasy XV, Dragon Quest X never coming out, voice-overs. No question about the music though.

It's not the same article as the previous thread, that was released before the interview was out.

Valcrist · Apr 17, 2018

Shame that the music wasn't asked about. There needs to be a push for this a while before release so they understand it's an issue.

Namyu · Apr 17, 2018

DarknessTear said:
Shame that the music wasn't asked about. There needs to be a push for this a while before release so they understand it's an issue.

Are they seriously not putting the orchestra in the localized release again? This is like the main thing that stops me from buying DQ games

AzureFlame · Apr 17, 2018

I hope we get orchestrated music.

Deleted member 11262 · Apr 17, 2018

DarknessTear said:
Shame that the music wasn't asked about. There needs to be a push for this a while before release so they understand it's an issue.

First thing I think about in every DQXI thread.
Seriously, the music is shit-tier.

Even then, Spider-Man will be first. It's just unfortunate for Squenix that these two games release so close to each other.

Marukoban · Apr 17, 2018

Jordan: We heard that the 3DS version of Dragon Quest XI is not going to be released in the West. Could you elaborate a little bit on the reasoning behind this decision?

Hokuto Okamoto: One of the concepts in developing Dragon Quest XIwas to essentially serve as a culmination for the history of the series that has spanned 30 years. Of course, we were interested in existing fans and consumers to enjoy the Dragon Quest XI experience as well but we also wanted new players to have the opportunity to experience this game from the get go.

Considering that we haven't released a mainline numbered Dragon Quest game for the past thirteen years or so on consoles — it's been since Dragon Quest VIII — we were looking at various options for what would be the best way to bring this game onto market in the overseas territories and we truly felt that the PS4 and PC version would be the best outlet.

Answering question without answering at all.
Even more contradicting himself. Want existing fans to enjoy, yet don't release a version that is closer to classic DQ.

Puffy · Apr 17, 2018

We wanted our consumers on the PS4 and PC to experience the game overseas as soon as possible

Good.

WrenchNinja · Apr 17, 2018

That 3ds non answer is infuriating

Vault · Apr 17, 2018

i mean hes PR hes not gonna come out and say that Square Enix West don't care about the 3DS

which everybody knows by them never bringing games over

Amaterasu · Apr 17, 2018

Vault said:
i mean hes PR hes not gonna come out and say that Square Enix West don't care about the 3DS

which everybody knows by them never bringing games over

I have six games from them for my 3DS. What's all this "never" stuff?

Vault · Apr 17, 2018

Amaterasu said:
I have six games from them for my 3DS. What's all this "never" stuff?

how many of them were published by Nintendo?

i'm still waiting for Terry's Wonderland and Joker 3

Namyu · Apr 17, 2018

Vault said:
how many of them were published by Nintendo?

i'm still waiting for Terry's Wonderland and Joker 3

Pretty sure both of those have full fantranslations

Amaterasu · Apr 17, 2018

Vault said:
how many of them were published by Nintendo?

i'm still waiting for Terry's Wonderland and Joker 3

Hmm, I guess that's true. A couple of them probably were because of Nintendo.

Sgt. Demblant · Apr 17, 2018

DarknessTear said:
Shame that the music wasn't asked about. There needs to be a push for this a while before release so they understand it's an issue.

What's the issue with the music?
I'm looking forward to this game but I haven't really followed the news.

Gabora · Apr 17, 2018

Sgt. Demblant said:
What's the issue with the music?
I'm looking forward to this game but I haven't really followed the news.

Back when Dragon Quest 8 was released in the West, the soundtrack was entirely remade (along with characters being voice) and orchestrated. This time DQ XI isn't getting the same treatment, and lets just say that the usual Dragon Quest soundtrack is severely outdated, to say the least, and people were hoping 11 would get the same treatment as 8.

Dragon Quest is basically a nostalgia trip, and its soundtrack has remained the same for years. Its not terrible, but not quite on the level it could be. Also the DQ composer, a known scumbag, doesn't like having orchestrated soundtracks because it gets in the way of milking the soundtrack later.

Edit: and as mentioned below, DQ still uses MIDI music.

Dark_Castle · Apr 17, 2018

Sgt. Demblant said:
What's the issue with the music?
I'm looking forward to this game but I haven't really followed the news.

Dogshit midi music.

Palette Swap · Apr 17, 2018

That September answer is terrible.

Vault · Apr 17, 2018

Amaterasu said:
Hmm, I guess that's true. A couple of them probably were because of Nintendo.

I think every 3DS game since Bravely Default has been published by Nintendo

Its even happening on the Switch with Dragon Quest builders and Octopath Traveler

Chibs · Apr 17, 2018

Agreed on the music front, it's seriously off-putting if you ask me. I am kinda surprised that most seem to agree, I thought it was a nostalgia thing and that people were okay with it. Then again, I'm not a huge Dragon Quest fan, so I wasn't keeping up with the news at all.

Sgt. Demblant · Apr 17, 2018

Gabora said:
Back when Dragon Quest 8 was released in the West, the soundtrack was entirely remade (along with characters being voice) and orchestrated. This time DQ XI isn't getting the same treatment, and lets just say that the usual Dragon Quest soundtrack is severely outdated, to say the least, and people were hoping 11 would get the same treatment as 8.

Dragon Quest is basically a nostalgia trip, and its soundtrack has remained the same for years. Its not terrible, but not quite on the level it could be. Also the DQ composer, a known scumbag, doesn't like having orchestrated soundtracks because it gets in the way of milking the soundtrack later.

Ah ok. Yeah, orchestrated music would be nice and I agree that the music in the trailers sounds a bit low effort but I guess I'm used to it when it comes to DQ so I didn't really notice.

BGBW · Apr 17, 2018

Considering that we haven't released a mainline numbered Dragon Quest game for the past thirteen years or so on consoles — it's been since Dragon Quest VIII — we were looking at various options for what would be the best way to bring this game onto market in the overseas territories and we truly felt that the PS4 and PC version would be the best outlet.

So basically all the fans who supported the series on handheld [consoles] (like seriously, stop not calling them that) count for nothing - we're basically invisible to them. Nice to know what Square thinks of us.

DPB · Apr 17, 2018

Gabora said:
Back when Dragon Quest 8 was released in the West, the soundtrack was entirely remade (along with characters being voice) and orchestrated. This time DQ XI isn't getting the same treatment, and lets just say that the usual Dragon Quest soundtrack is severely outdated, to say the least, and people were hoping 11 would get the same treatment as 8.

Dragon Quest is basically a nostalgia trip, and its soundtrack has remained the same for years. Its not terrible, but not quite on the level it could be. Also the DQ composer, a known scumbag, doesn't like having orchestrated soundtracks because it gets in the way of milking the soundtrack later.

It's not so much outdated as deliberate sabotage. Older Dragon Quest games had synthesised soundtracks but they used better sounding instruments, even on the SNES.

An orchestrated sound track isn't even necessary. If we got MIDI the same quality as a nearly 20 year-old game like Chrono Cross no one would be complaining.

Raijinto · Apr 17, 2018

That answer to the 3DS version question is something else. Might as well have just said what his favourite flavour of ice cream is for how relevant the rest of it was to the question.

zeox · Apr 17, 2018

Jesus christ you guys are way too hyperbolic about the music. Would it be better to have the orchestral music? Of course it would. But talking about it as if it's the worst thing in the world is a bit over the top imo, and I'm getting tired of seeing it in every single DQXI thread. As someone who put somewhere between 15-20 hours in the japanese version, it's totally fine the way it is.

Gabora · Apr 17, 2018

DPB said:
It's not so much outdated as deliberate sabotage. Older Dragon Quest games had synthesised soundtracks but they used better sounding instruments, even on the SNES.

An orchestrated sound track isn't even necessary. If we got MIDI the same quality as a nearly 20 year-old game like Chrono Cross no one would be complaining.

Thats true, I just used outdated to keep my post more succinct. But yeah, Dragon Quest's soundtrack could afford to evolve a little, specially considering what SE has been doing in the JRPG front for, oh I don't know, the past 20 years lol

Sgt. Demblant said:
Ah ok. Yeah, orchestrated music would be nice and I agree that the music in the trailers sounds a bit low effort but I guess I'm used to it when it comes to DQ so I didn't really notice.

Well, this is the first console Dragon Quest since 8 (not counting 10, which is a MMO), so people expected the game to get the same treatment as 8 (which had a fantastic localization) when it was brought over.

Jade1962 · Apr 17, 2018

BGBW said:
So basically all the fans who supported the series on handheld [consoles] (like seriously, stop not calling them that) count for nothing - we're basically invisible to them. Nice to know what Square thinks of us.

Well the rest of us haven't had a game since DQ8. Shame the 3DS version isn't coming over but if you've really been playing DQ all these years on handhelds you should know SE doesn't localize theirs games. Also handheld gamers have the switch version.

BGBW · Apr 17, 2018

Jade1962 said:
Well the rest of us haven't had a game since DQ8. Shame the 3DS version isn't coming over but if you've really been playing DQ all these years on handhelds you should know SE doesn't localize theirs games. Also handheld gamers have the switch version.

To your first point; So? Nothing stopped anyone from buying a handheld console over the past 13 years to play the mainline games - which in Europe is pretty much their home as VIII was the first DQ game released here meaning for us its pretty much been a handheld only series. It's not like I'm asking for an impossible 3DS port as there's already a 3DS game made - a game that'll still be a unique experience as we can tell the Switch version is based on the PS4 version.

Just feels silly that a company literally pretends there's not been a fanbase since the PS2 in the West.

Namyu · Apr 17, 2018

zeox said:
Jesus christ you guys are way too hyperbolic about the music. Would it be better to have the orchestral music? Of course it would. But talking about it as if it's the worst thing in the world is a bit over the top imo, and I'm getting tired of seeing it in every single DQXI thread. As someone who put somewhere between 15-20 hours in the japanese version, it's totally fine the way it is.

The composer deliberately doesn't allow the regular music to be localized because reasons and so the west gets a shitty midi knockoff. There's no reason for people to not bring it up.

Bonejack · Apr 17, 2018

Namyu said:
The composer deliberately doesn't allow the regular music to be localized because reasons and so the west gets a shitty midi knockoff. There's no reason for people to not bring it up.

Iirc, the japanese version also has that midi OST.

Namyu · Apr 17, 2018

Bonejack said:
Iirc, the japanese version also has that midi OST.

That'd be a different case for sure then. The two latest English releases (VII and VIII 3DS) had midi rearrangements instead of the original orchestrated.

Oniletter · Apr 17, 2018

Still hope that Nintendo, against all odds, decides that it would be a swell idea to publish a Dragon Quest game on 3DS in 2018.

Bonejack · Apr 17, 2018

Namyu said:
That'd be a different case for sure then. The two latest English releases (VII and VIII 3DS) had midi rearrangements instead of the original orchestrated.

Well, first those are handheld games, 3DS even ... so i don't know if orchestrated music would've been possible at all due to storage limitations on the cards ... and second, those were remakes/ports.

I don't know if there's even a orchestrated OST for DQ7 at all. Or rather, a version of the game with it. DQ8 got the orchestrated OST also only for the western PS2 release ... again iirc.

Velezcora · Apr 17, 2018

Man, these threads are always filled with so much salt. Its either about the music (which is fine and is blown way out of proportion), the 3DS version not getting localised (Which is shitty but whining here isn't solving anything) or its about releasing it close to Spiderman (I don't want this game to get delayed because you have a hard on for a bloke in red spandex.)

I always had a feeling the Switch version was going to be a deluxe version for Japan. Orchestrated music, full voice acting and maybe a new party member/and or dungeon. Its Japan they'd double dip for more Dragon Quest.

The n00b Avenger · Apr 17, 2018

Bonejack said:
Well, first those are handheld games, 3DS even ... so i don't know if orchestrated music would've been possible at all due to storage limitations on the cards ... and second, those were remakes/ports.

I don't know if there's even a orchestrated OST for DQ7 at all. Or rather, a version of the game with it. DQ8 got the orchestrated OST also only for the western PS2 release ... again iirc.

No, he's saying the 7 3DS and 8 3DS versions were both originally orchestrated but were replaced with synth for their western release which is true.

However in 11's case even the Japanese release is still synth so all countries are screwed on this one.

Bonejack · Apr 17, 2018

The 3DS remakes/ports had orchestrated OST in japan? Are you sure? They must've been butchered like nothing if this is true, quality-wise.

fiendcode · Apr 17, 2018

Still no word on the digital releases of DQI-III? They're on PS4/3DS and are based on the mobile ports iirc, which already have english localizations. Steam/Switch ports should be dead simple too, I wonder why nothing's been said on them?

Oniletter said:
Still hope that Nintendo, against all odds, decides that it would be a swell idea to publish a Dragon Quest game on 3DS in 2018.

2019. It's not happening this year but maybe good guy Nintendo will decide to bring it alongside the Switch port as a nice 3DSendoff.

Our only other hope is if SE bases the inevitable mobile release of DQXI on the 3DS version and localizes that. Or else we can probably expect a homebrew fantranslation or script insertion at some point.

Vault · Apr 17, 2018

Bonejack said:
The 3DS remakes/ports had orchestrated OST in japan? Are you sure? They must've been butchered like nothing if this is true, quality-wise.

Ridley327 · Apr 17, 2018

Bonejack said:
The 3DS remakes/ports had orchestrated OST in japan? Are you sure? They must've been butchered like nothing if this is true, quality-wise.

Yeah, DQVII got an orchestrated score, while DQVIII managed to get a newly recorded orchestrated score that was based on the concert orchestration they did for the PS2 version. For reasons that pointed towards "Sugiyama is an enormous dick," these were dropped during the localization for the west.

The n00b Avenger · Apr 17, 2018

The 3DS synth for the western versions of 7 and 8 were still way better than 11's so it wasn't all that bad imo.

Still obviously a dick move but yeah

BGBW · Apr 17, 2018

Bonejack said:
The 3DS remakes/ports had orchestrated OST in japan? Are you sure? They must've been butchered like nothing if this is true, quality-wise.

the 3DS isn't a GameBoy lol. It can handle orchestral music.

Hieroph · Apr 17, 2018

Marukoban said:
Answering question without answering at all.
Even more contradicting himself. Want existing fans to enjoy, yet don't release a version that is closer to classic DQ.

Yeah. Their PR is just spinning out of control. It sounds like they can't tell what the actual reasons are.

DQ4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 plus spinoffs on DS/3DS in the West - can't continue that with the biggest game in the series now!

Gotdatmoney · Apr 17, 2018

BGBW said:
the 3DS isn't a GameBoy lol. It can handle orchestral music.

Didn't the NDS FF games have orchestrated soundtracks? I remember loving FF3s soundtrack through headphones back in the day.

Hieroph · Apr 17, 2018

Gotdatmoney said:
Didn't the NDS FF games have orchestrated soundtracks? I remember loving FF3s soundtrack through headphones back in the day.

No, that was synth. Still really good though!

Ridley327 · Apr 17, 2018

J: The beginning of September and end of August are filled with a lot of game releases in the west. We have heavy hitters like Spider-Man and even Japanese games like Yakuza Kiwami 2 and more. How do you think Dragon Quest XI will fare alongside all of these games?

HO: One thing that we're really focused on with Dragon Quest XI is the story and the universe that have really been crafted with a lot of care. In that sense, of course, Spider-Man and Yakuza have their own stories to tell. That being said, the overall gameplay experience it differs completely from those games.

Of course, people who are seeking an exhilarating action game may seek to play those games, but we do feel like there is a demand for this kind of heavy story-driven experience as well. I feel like this one aspect could really differentiate our game from our competitors out there. So yeah we feel like there will be demand for our type of game.

I'm really confused by the answer here. His first statement makes it sound like that they're relying on the game being a traditional turn-based RPG to help differentiate it, but they immediately switch tactics in the next part to focus in on it being a "heavy story-driven experience," which for video games these days isn't what one would call a USP, especially with the two games he's being asked to compare DQXI to are either shaping up to have a meaty plot or, in the case of Yakzua Kiwami 2, has had one for over a decade now.

...they don't know how to sell this game, do they.

Marukoban · Apr 17, 2018

Hieroph said:
Yeah. Their PR is just spinning out of control. It sounds like they can't tell what the actual reasons are.

DQ4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 plus spinoffs on DS/3DS in the West - can't continue that with the biggest game in the series now!

They will be rewarded with $0 from me.
It's also quite easy since I have no interest in the meh UE4 version.

Gotdatmoney · Apr 17, 2018

Hieroph said:
No, that was synth. Still really good though!

Ah I see. Well I never had a problem with it haha. Sounded solid.

Bonejack · Apr 17, 2018

BGBW said:
the 3DS isn't a GameBoy lol. It can handle orchestral music.

Yeah yeah, i somehow forgot that 3DS cards could go up to 8GB, maybe along with the thought that SQEX always cheaps out on handheld software.

Vault · Apr 17, 2018

Hieroph said:
Yeah. Their PR is just spinning out of control. It sounds like they can't tell what the actual reasons are.

DQ4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 plus spinoffs on DS/3DS in the West - can't continue that with the biggest game in the series now!

Square wouldn't bring over Bravely Default in 2012 and after that DQ 7,8 and Joker 3, if you were expecting them to bring over a 3DS game in 2018 your gonna be disappointed.

Maybe Nintendo will publish again

Hieroph · Apr 17, 2018

Bonejack said:
Yeah yeah, i somehow forgot that 3DS cards could go up to 8GB, maybe along with the thought that SQEX always cheaps out on handheld software.

Nah. Their DS games especially were really high quality. Just look at the FF4 DS opening CGI.

Dark_Castle · Apr 17, 2018

I don't think the complaints about the soundtrack is overblown. DQIII on SNES has way better sounding music than DQXI on PS4.

Dualshockers: Dragon Quest XI interview about Switch delay, being closer to a 'remaster', and more

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