Google’s generative AI “Gemini” and the national RPG “Dragon Quest” have launched large-scale collaborations both in the real world and in the game. This initiative aims to define the latest AI technology as a “companion” that stays close to players, aiming to serve as a new guideline for solving structural challenges in the gaming industry.

Experiential Initiatives That Transform the Real World into a Stage for Adventure

Starting July 30, 2026, the real RPG event “Gemini Quest” will be held in the Shibuya and Harajuku areas. This event is the first collaboration project commemorating the 40th anniversary of Dragon Quest and is scheduled to be held for a limited time until August 9, 2026. Participants install Google’s “Gemini app” on their smartphones and take on quests by visiting specific spots around the city.

Specific venues are designated as four locations: SHIBUYA109 Shibuya, MAGNET by SHIBUYA109, Tokyu Plaza Harajuku ‘Harakado,’ and Takeshita-guchi Park, where giant statues of slime and other monsters will appear. Participants can enjoy an AR-like experience by scanning 2D codes on-site and photographing monsters through the Gemini app. Notably, participation is free, and by completing quests and reporting them to the “villagers,” you can earn “small medals” as rewards on a first-come, first-served basis. The following image symbolizes the excitement of the event.

A New Game of ‘Spell Generation’ Using Generative AI

The biggest feature of “Gemini Quest” is its unique game system that leverages Gemini’s image generation capabilities. After photographing the monster, participants can select and cast familiar spells within the app, such as “Melazoma,” “Mahyad,” “Ionazun,” “Bagicross,” “Gigadein,” and “Madante.” Among them is a random “pulpunte” where something happens at random, heightening players’ anticipation.

When you select a spell, Gemini generates real-time images featuring immersive attack scenes tailored to the situation, creating a one-of-a-kind record of your adventure. This provides the unique value of generative AI by allowing your own experiences to be directly transformed into content, unlike traditional events where you simply watch fixed footage. For fans who cannot attend in person, there is an online exclusive image template for image generation and SNS posting campaigns with the hashtag “#ジェミニクエスト,” allowing heroes from across the country to participate simultaneously.

The Impact of the AI Buddy ‘Slammy’ in Dragon Quest X

Dialogue with Gemini’s “Heart-to-Heart Partners”

Alongside real-world events, the online game ‘Dragon Quest X Online’ is implementing the interactive AI buddy ‘Slammy’ powered by Google Cloud’s Gemini. Slammy is not just a guide for information (FAQ bot), but is designed as a ‘true companion’ who travels with players and shares joys and frustrations.

Yuji Horii, the creator of the series, emphasized the idea of “not turning villagers and other NPCs into AI but wanting them to exist as friends and companions who play together.” Based on this philosophy, Slammy not only waits for questions from players but also has an active communication function that responds to the progress of the adventure and changes in appearance by speaking to them themselves. Conversations are kept private, so you don’t have to worry about other players seeing you, so you can build a personalized relationship that is a major attraction. For details on how we interact with AI, please refer to the diagram below.

Vertical integration of Google Cloud and Gemini as the technical foundation

To realize Slammy, a full-stack AI infrastructure provided by Google Cloud was indispensable. The “Gemini Live” used enables low-latency, multimodal conversations, visually recognizing player voices and game screens to provide appropriate responses. The decisive reason Square Enix chose Gemini was its high responsiveness and customizability.

In development, Square Enix’s AI expertise, accumulated over more than 10 years, was combined with Google Cloud’s cutting-edge technology. In particular, guardrail design is thorough to “avoid breaking the worldview,” with prompt controls that ensure character traits, forbidden rules, and Dragon Quest do not deviate from the world of Dragon Quest. Takeshi Aramaki reflects that this vertically integrated environment has enabled projects to progress at a faster pace. Techniques that suppress AI hallucination while maintaining a consistent character experience will become a key standard in future game development.

Transformation of the gaming industry and the future of the “living game”

AI’s Response to the Crisis of Soaring Development Costs

Jack Buzer of Google Cloud has expressed a strong recognition that the current gaming industry is dysfunctional. While the industry-wide operating profit has declined by an average of 7% annually since 2021, development costs have nearly doubled compared to 2017. To overcome these structural challenges, a concept called “Living Games” was proposed to integrate generative AI with live services.

The adoption of AI brings dramatic changes to development efficiency. For example, instead of manually creating a massive conversation tree, AI can automatically generate contextual dialogues by defining the character’s “personality” and “settings.” This frees developers from simple tasks and allows them to focus resources on building more creative “worldviews.” Within Square Enix, AI is already being utilized to create planning materials and streamline testing processes, contributing to faster development.

Redefining Creativity and Future Prospects

This collaboration symbolizes AI shifting the role of creators rather than taking human jobs. Developers are expected to evolve from “quantity writers” to “personality designers” who define characters’ ethics and philosophy. AI is the foundation that amplifies human magic, and the core of what we find interesting and what kind of world we create remains up to human creativity.

Looking ahead, Dragon Quest X Online launched a closed beta test starting March 21, 2026, where players could experience Slammy’s features. Based on this feedback, adjustments will be made toward the official release. A future where AI is accepted as a natural part of gaming is just around the corner. Jack Buzer likens AI to the “Iron Man suit,” predicting an era where developers gain greater power to create new experiences.

Reference Page

• [Gemini Quest Campaign Special Site]https://www.dragonquest.jp/geminiquest/

• [Dragon Quest Promotion Official X]https://x.com/DQ_PR

• [Google Japan Official X]https://x.com/googlejapan

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