Weekly Dragon Quest IX sales drop under 100K for the first time

So you're saying the shouldn't innovate, dumb down the AI and simplify stories?

No. What he is saying is that people don't make sense.

I guess they figured the first ones were innovation enough for over ten years. One could argue that the games are still fun and addicting (though I haven't played through the DS ones).

"video game developers giving speeches or writing articles on how to make successful games, they always seem to mention innovation, evolved AI, and or story telling"

Those clearly weren't japanese developers, as they're content with the stale JRPG genre. But I guess if your people are going to devour it, no matter how stale or old it is, you gotta go with what sells.

From what I've read DQIX does things that are very different for not only the DQ series, but JRPGs in general.

Innovation? Sure, show me something I haven't seen before.
Improved AI? Eh, okay I guess. It's just a computer controlled character, I'm not really impressed if it ducks behind a wall or something.
Story-telling? I'm here to play a game, not watch a movie/read a book. I couldn't care less about the story in a game.

It's a sequel. Really, what much do you expect from it? They change too much, you'll alienate the fans who enjoyed the games as they were, and just wanted more. You want innovation? That's generally what new IPs (or spin-offs) are for.

"Those clearly weren't japanese developers, as they're content with the stale JRPG genre. But I guess if your people are going to devour it, no matter how stale or old it is, you gotta go with what sells."


tmac, does your dad attend Klan rallies? Or do you just have a thing out against Asians?

That's because a solid formula is timeless, even if it does merit a bit of tweaking now and then

Install base.

Dragon Quest has ALWAYS gone where the money is.

While the handheld market has always been larger than the console market, it's been a major shift within the last generation. The DS and PSP have closed the gap between console and portable moreso than ever before. It makes sense for DQ9 to be on DS.

(and to suffice your whining... DQ10 is on Wii. There's your console game!)

Don't worry, Dragon Quest X will be released for the Wii.

Oh, you were expecting the PS3 or 360? LOL, the DQ series only comes out where the install base is.