In a recent interview with GameSpot, Dragon Quest XI producer Hokuto Okamoto revealed why the Switch port of the game was delayed. Okamoto revealed that the reason as due to an outdated version of Unreal Engine 4. Okamoto stated:
“It’s true that the Nintendo Switch version is under development at this moment in time. Specifically with regards to the development, this game was developed on the Unreal Engine, but the version for Unreal Engine needs to be updated, I suppose, in order to support Switch. In that sense, the development is still expected to take a very long time. It’s still a long ways out.”
Okamoto also promised that the Switch version will be coming out West and once considered pushing back its release on Playstation 4 so it would be coming out alongside the Switch port, but ultimately decided against it. Stating:
“Of course, we did consider releasing the PlayStation 4 and Switch version around the same time if that was even a possibility, but right now the outlook for the Switch version is still unclear at this moment in time. The Japan team, they wanted to release Dragon Quest a XI and bring it overseas as soon as possible for our fans overseas, which is why they proceeded with the PlayStation 4 [and] Steam version[s] this time.”
