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In a recent press conference, Enix and Square announced that the upcoming Dragon Quest VIII will be developed for the PlayStation 2. Furthermore, the merging companies have given the honor of developing this game to Level 5, whose current project list includes Dark Cloud 2 and True Fantasy Online. The staff will also include familiar faces such as series' creator Yuji Horii as the scenario planner, and the noted Akira Toriyama as the character designer.

In addition, screens featured in the upcoming issue of the Japanese magazine Shonen Jump reveal the cel-shaded graphics and characters drawn in Toriyama's unique style. No release date for Dragon Quest VIII is in sight, but RPGamer will share any details as they become available.

According to the daily Japanese paper, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun, Enix will unveil the next installment of the favored Dragon Warrior series this winter at Jump Festival 2003 in Japan. Until then, Enix will still hold true to its vow of silence regarding the game, much to the chagrin of fans. The details of this game are being shrouded in secrecy, and it is unknown whether this next installment will be Dragon Quest VIII or Dragon Quest Online, or even a combination thereof.

In addition, with the breakup of Heartbeat, Enix will be needing a new developer. GameArts and tri-Ace are two possibilities for this upcoming title, and this key decision could affect the direction of the Dragon Quest series.

Yoichi Wada made some minor but intriguing comments about future games in a recent interview with Mainichi Interactive. The head honcho of Square Enix mostly discussed Dragon Quest VIII and Final Fantasy XII, two highly anticipated PlayStation 2 titles.

According to Wada, Dragon Quest VIII is now in playable form, and he has already enjoyed the privilege of sitting down and playing it. He remarked that it was strange to see a Dragon Quest game in 3D format, but he emphasized that the Dragon Quest series still carries the same traditional thematic elements.

As for Final Fantasy XII, Wada mentioned that the developers of the title are not content with the traditional format of walking, watching cut scenes, fighting, and getting special items. Instead, the developers are attempting to create a more interactive game. Wada promised that this new trend would be applied to future Final Fantasy titles.

While Final Fantasy XII is scheduled to be released this summer in Japan, Dragon Quest VIII has only a vague 2004 release date. RPGamer will post updates regarding these titles as soon as the information is available.

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Square Enix recently revealed four new characters who will assist the hero of Dragon Quest VIII in his epic journey. In no particular order, they are: Jessica, a strong young woman who uses a whip in battle; Trod, a green-skinned person who resembles a monster; Youngus, a strong fighter with a scar on his face; and Kukul, a fencer with silver hair and a strange laugh.

Dragon Quest VIII will be released in Japan sometime this year. A North American release has not been announced.

Dragon Quest VIII finally has a release date, even if it is just tenative. Being slated for winter of 2004, Dragon Quest VIII may be up against stiff competition with another one of Square Enix's titles Final Fantasy XII -- which will hit shelves around the same time or possibly later in spring 2005.

There is a spot of bad news as this release date is just for Japanese gamers with no current date mentioned for a North American release. RPGamer will keep you up to date with any news about a North American release as soon as it is released.

The cast of Dragon Quest VIII, previously only known by their names and portraits, has now been fully revealed by Square Enix. Each character has his or her unique background and role in the party.

Yangus, the party's main source of brute force, wields a huge axe and sees the hero as his little brother. The female lead, Jessica, is naturally inclined to use magic, especially deadly attack spells. She comes from a well-to-do family, but Jessica and her mother sometimes have disagreements. Kukuru, the silver-haired fighter, is a member of a monastery's military unit. His unique uniform shows that he is of a higher rank, and he can attack with both his magic skills and his sword. The final cast member is Torode, a short green-skinned character. This sage-like figure will not participate in battle, but instead coach the team from the sidelines and manage their items.

Dragon Quest VIII will arrive in Japan sometime this winter. Square Enix has not yet announced a North American release.