Yuji Horii, the creator of the Dragon Quest series, has become the first game designer to receive recognition in Japan's prestigious autumn honors list. He was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette, for his distinguished contributions to the gaming industry. The honor recognizes his decades-long impact on Japanese culture through video games.
Background on the Award
Japan's autumn honors list, announced annually, recognizes individuals for their service to the state in fields like arts, science, and culture, excluding military achievements. This year, 3,963 people were honored, with the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette ranking as the third-highest award conferred by the government.
Horii's Contributions
Yuji Horii is renowned for creating the Dragon Quest franchise, which debuted in 1986. He has contributed to every main entry in the series, shaping it into a cornerstone of Japanese role-playing games. As CEO of Armor Project, Horii co-owns the intellectual property with Square Enix, ensuring its ongoing development and cultural significance.
The recognition marks a historic milestone, as Horii is the inaugural game designer to receive such an honor, highlighting the growing acknowledgment of video games as a vital part of modern Japanese society.
Horii's Response
In a statement to Japanese media outlet FNN, Horii expressed gratitude, saying, "I’ve been making games for a long time, about 40 years now, but it’s not just my own efforts, it’s all thanks to the staff who helped me make it, and the users who have always supported me." He added, “I’ve leveled up in many ways, done many things, and all my hard work has paid off.”
This award underscores the evolution of gaming from niche entertainment to a respected cultural export, with Horii's work influencing generations of players worldwide.