Dragon Quest series chief producer Ryutaro Ichimura announced on Twitter that he has left Square Enix on March 31, 2023. Before his departure, Square Enix announced the release window for his final game as a Square Enix employee. After Ryota Aomi, Ichimura is the second known Dragon Quest series developer to leave Square Enix in the first few months of 2023.
Ryutaro Ichimura worked on several Dragon Quest games including Dragon Quest VIII, Dragon Quest IX, and Dragon Quest Heroes. Additionally, he served as an original game supervisor for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate on behalf of Square Enix. Ichimura turns 47 years old this year, and he entrusted his role to his successor during development of Infinity Strash: Dragon Quest The Adventure of Dai.
“I’ve started to count how many more games I’ll be able to make in my lifetime,” said Ryutaro Ichimura (Thanks, Gematsu). “Especially now, when it takes three to four years to make a game, “we have to carefully consider each title we make. Once I can reset and reflect, I’d like to leave this blessed environment, and explore what can be made if I dare to push myself into a higher-risk environment.”
More Dragon Quest to Come
Infinity Strash: Dragon Quest The Adventure of Dai was Ichimura’s last project at Square Enix before his departure. Once more, he served as chief producer on the project with development studio KAI GRAPHICS. Infinity Strash: Dragon Quest The Adventure of Dai is slated for a fall 2023 worldwide release on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC via Steam.
Fans can expect more details about Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake and Dragon Quest XII: The Flames of Fate. In December 2022, Dragon Quest creator Yuji Horii stated that more news about Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake is coming soon.
“We’re working hard on Dragon Quest XII and Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake!” Horii said this past December. “I can’t say much yet, but we might be able to deliver more news on DQ III soon. We’re grateful that people are putting big expectations on DQ III too.”
