Dragon Quest creator Yuji Horii featured in Japan’s autumn honors list

Yuji Horii has been named in Japan’s autumn honors list, making him the first game designer to be recognised for his work.

Horii was one of 3,963 people to be recognised in this year’s honours list, receiving the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette.

As VGC reports, this accolade is awarded “to those recognised for distinguished service to the state in various fields, except military service.” It is the third highest order given by the Japanese government.

Horii is known for creating and producing the Dragon Quest series of RPGs, and has worked on every mainline title since 1986.

He is also the CEO of Armor Project, which co-owns Dragon Quest with Square Enix.

“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,” said Horii (via Japanese news outlet FNN).

“I’ve levelled up in many ways, done many things, and all my hard work has paid off.”