Dragon Quest X uses subscription fee, limits offline play

Dragon Quest X will require an online usage fee, and allow gamers to play a few hours offline before the online requirement comes into play.

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Dragon Quest X is putting a lot of faith in the online infrastructure of the Wii and Wii U, choosing the unlikely platforms as the home of the series' first foray into online-focused gaming. Now we've learned that the game will use a subscription service, and offer only a sampling of the full game offline.

Siliconera reports that the game's Japanese FAQ says players can experience a few hours offline, but after that a connection is required. That connection will involve a usage fee, but so far no price has been determined.

Dragon Quest is an extremely popular franchise in Japan, making its online functionality potentially lucrative for publisher Square Enix. As previously reported, it's coming to both the Wii and the upcoming Wii U, and we expect to see some kind of 3DS functionality.

Dragon Quest X hasn't been confirmed for a western release, but you can check out a piece of footage from the Japanese presentation below.

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  • reply
    September 6, 2011 12:30 PM

    Steve Watts posted a new article, Dragon Quest X uses subscription fee, limits offline play.

    Dragon Quest X will require an online usage fee, and allow gamers to play a few hours offline before the online requirement comes into play.

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      September 6, 2011 12:36 PM

      Damn you squenix!

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      September 6, 2011 1:09 PM

      What a stupid idea, guess i'll never be trying a dragon quest then

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      September 6, 2011 1:12 PM

      Yeah, despite my usual willingness to defend these guys, I got nothing here. How fucking dumb.

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      September 6, 2011 1:15 PM

      It's like...they had a meeting on the best way they can lose money.

      A fee carrying online Dragon Quest on the Wii is like an April Fools announcement.

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      September 6, 2011 1:22 PM

      it'll work in japan, maybe... but definitely not in the US

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      September 6, 2011 1:24 PM

      This is an MMO and not a normal Dragon's Quest game, right?

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      September 6, 2011 1:29 PM

      I'm a huge Dragon Quest fan, but I'm pretty sure this is not for me.

      On the other hand, the Dragon Quest name holds a lot of weight in Japan, so hopefully this move will finally get Nintendo off their asses as far as online play is concerned.

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      September 6, 2011 1:30 PM

      After regretting buying and playing that awful DQ9, i am content with not ever playing their vision of an online Dragon Quest. Call me when they develop a solid single player DQ. 4, 5, and 6 were awesome.

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        September 6, 2011 1:36 PM

        DQ8 was awesomer again. I didn't play much of 9 because it bored me to tears.

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          September 6, 2011 1:49 PM

          I'm curious what you guys didn't like a out DQ9. It felt like the same thing as previous titles and I quite enjoyed it.

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            September 6, 2011 2:04 PM

            hated the fact that you created everyone on your team, so they end up being lifeless storyline less characters that have no meaning to the overall story. Hated how there was a lot of content that was online only, which made playing it virtually impossible because I am the only person I know in my immediate friends who actually still uses his DS AND owned DQIX. Hated a bunch more that I can't quite remember..the story was very basic and boring, etc.

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            September 6, 2011 2:07 PM

            Far less actual plot, no inter party communication/character/plots like in DQ4,5,or 6, random dungeon stuff that relies on mechanisms that don't really work outside of Asia's highest population areas, etc.

            It wasn't bad, but it was a move in the wrong direction, and I'd just played through the DS re-releases of 4-6, so they were a contrast very fresh in my mind.

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            September 6, 2011 2:10 PM

            I think the fact that you weren't playing as named characters with a back story put me off a bit. Maybe I didn't play enough of it, but the story seemed non-existent. It was 'go to this town and solve this towns problem, repeat'. I should probably give it another shot.

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      September 6, 2011 1:40 PM

      This is not what I want out of Dragon Quest. I was hoping DQ9 was a misstep, not a sign of things to come...

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      September 6, 2011 1:56 PM

      two things. I care even less about WiiU if wii ports are acceptable new titles for it. I want good graphics irregardless of Iwata's personal feelings on the matter or what business model works best for their financials. DQ8 was so good, I just wanted a portable version but they screwed it up after years of delays with 9 and now this. Sad to see two legends die at once.

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        September 6, 2011 1:59 PM

        It's backwards compatible both with the controllers and software, every release for the Wii is playable on the Wii U, it just means it'll come out after the Wii U is released. They probably just added that to the press release for a little extra buzz.

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      September 6, 2011 3:17 PM

      My god, what were they fucking thinking?
      SquareEnix kills yet again another one of my favorite rpg series.

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      September 7, 2011 7:23 AM

      Hate to say it, but I'm pretty sure I'm done with anything "tendo" and squeenix. Been frustrated with both groups for a while now more than enjoying, oh well, gaming goes on!

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