‘It’s not about the storyline’: Dragon Quest 9 director says the hardest thing isn’t to make players cry, but surprised
Jin Fujisawa, former co-director of Dragon Quest 9 and 10, has shared insights into his creative philosophy learned from Dragon Quest series creator Yuji Horii. In an interview with Japanese magazine The Change, Fujisawa—who spent 20 years at Square Enix before departing in 2018—reflects on a fundamental shift in his approach to RPG design.
According to Fujisawa, Horii fundamentally challenged his initial assumptions about game development. Early in his career, Fujisawa believed narrative was the cornerstone of a compelling RPG experience. However, through working with Horii, he came to understand that this perspective was incomplete. “Horii-san would say, it’s not about the storyline, the experience is what matters,” Fujisawa explained in the translated interview. Rather than prioritizing plot delivery, Horii emphasized that the journey players take through the game constitutes the true foundation of engagement.
This philosophical distinction carries significant implications for game design. Rather than crafting a predetermined storyline that players passively consume, the approach centers on designing systems and moments that create memorable experiences for the player. This could encompass everything from moment-to-moment gameplay mechanics to environmental storytelling and player agency within the narrative framework. Fujisawa’s recounting of Horii’s design philosophy reveals insights into what has made the Dragon Quest series enduring across multiple decades.