In a recent interview with GameSpot, Nihon Falcom president Toshihiro Kondo revealed that the Trails game series, which has been around for 20 years, is nearing completion. According to Kondo, the main storyline is now “about 80-90% complete”, indicating that there may be one more arc to follow, but the series will not continue for much longer beyond that. Kondo also mentioned that fans should not expect to see a “30th or 40th anniversary” of the game series.
While the Trails series may be coming to an end, Kondo assured fans that the team at Nihon Falcom is working on several new projects and IPs. He emphasized the importance of allowing younger team members to grow and explore new ideas, rather than being confined to a single franchise for an extended period of time. By encouraging the development of new IPs, Kondo believes that the team will become stronger developers with fresh ideas to contribute to future games.
Kondo acknowledged that working on a series like Trails for two decades can lead to stagnation in development, particularly among younger staff members. By encouraging team members to work on new projects and explore their own ideas, Kondo hopes to foster growth and innovation within the development team. This approach is intended to ensure that team members continue to develop new skills and bring fresh perspectives to their work.
The interview also touched upon recent releases in the Trails series, including The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak on the Switch, which was released last month. A demo of the game is available for download on the Switch eShop, allowing players to sample the turn-based RPG gameplay. Additionally, The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak II has been confirmed for localization on the Switch in “early 2025”, expanding the reach of the series to new audiences.
As the Trails series approaches its conclusion, fans can expect to see one final arc before the series comes to an end. While this may mark the end of an era for the beloved game series, it also opens the door to new possibilities for the development team at Nihon Falcom. By focusing on new projects and encouraging innovation among team members, the future looks bright for the studio as they continue to create immersive and engaging gaming experiences.
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