Jin Fujisawa, a former scenario writer for the Dragon Quest series and director of titles like DQ IX and X, recently shared insights with The Change about his tenure at Square Enix and his collaboration with Yuji Horii, the mind behind the iconic RPG franchise. Since parting ways with the company in 2018, Fujisawa has taken on the role of general director at Daiyonkyokai (The Fourth Boundary), a studio focused on experimental augmented reality games, and also serves as the representative of scenario firm Storynote, which is currently crafting its first visual novel game under the Lorebard label.
Though his focus remains on narrative design, Fujisawa recalls a pivotal lesson imparted by Horii, the series creator, during his two-decade stint at Square Enix: “Dragon Quest isn’t about the scenario.”
Early in his career, Fujisawa felt that an RPG’s plot was its cornerstone, but Horii’s perspective differed. “Horii-san would argue, It’s not about the storyline, the experience is what truly matters. You must first consider what kind of journey you want the player to embark on,” Fujisawa notes. He references Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride, where players face the choice of selecting a marriage partner, as a perfect example. “It’s precisely because the heart of that event lies in the profound experience of choosing a spouse that each player’s story becomes uniquely their own,” he elaborates.
Initially skeptical, Fujisawa admits he has since not only grasped Horii’s philosophy but also woven it into his creative process. “Horii is someone driven to create things never seen before—experiences that defy expectations and leave people thinking, Wait, what? That’s possible? When you’re young, it’s easy to aim for emotional tears, but evoking feelings through surprise is far more challenging. And when surprise moves someone deeply, that’s when true happiness is felt,” he reflects.
Fujisawa asserts that this method of “designing experiences” and delivering unexpected moments is deeply embedded in Horii’s creative DNA and is a principle actively embraced by Daiyonkyokai’s projects.
Mido