Jin Fujisawa, former director of Dragon Quest IX and X, recently commented on his time at Square Enix and the direct impact of Yuji Horii on his career. The creator of the franchise taught him an idea that completely changed his way of thinking about RPGs.
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During the interview, Fujisawa revealed that he spent years believing that the script was the central point of any game. However, Horii argued the opposite. For him, the most important thing was always the player's experience, not just the narrative itself.
Experience comes before history
According to Fujisawa, Horii emphasized that development should begin with the feeling the player would have while playing. One example cited was Dragon Quest V, which presents the player with a choice of marriage, creating unique experiences for each person.
This simple decision generates different paths and memories, showing how interactive moments can have more impact than a fixed story. Over time, Fujisawa came to understand and apply this concept in his own projects.
Surprise as a central element
Furthermore, Fujisawa highlighted that Horii always sought to surprise the audience with unexpected ideas. Instead of focusing solely on evoking emotion, he prioritized creating an impact through surprise, something more difficult to execute, but far more memorable.
Today, this philosophy lives on in Fujisawa's current work, where he leads projects focused on interactive and innovative experiences. Horii's influence remains an important foundation for the development of new ideas within the industry.
Finally, it's clear how this vision helped shape not only the franchise, but also the professionals who worked with it. Want to keep up with more news from the anime universe? Stay tuned to AnimeNews and don't miss any updates.
Source: Futabasha