The JRPG Pursuit

We're diving deep into Trails Beyond the Horizon, and we aren't pulling any punches. Nothing is off limits in this in-depth discussion about the latest game in the Trails series, and we're joined by special guests Cam from Party Chat and Mags from Level Up Legacy!

In this episode, we dig into a growing concern around the future of the genre: why younger players aren’t connecting with JRPGs the way older generations did. 🎮💭

We break down a recent article from Automaton Media that explores how long development cycles in modern JRPGs are impacting player attachment, especially in Japan. When many of us were growing up, new JRPG entries arrived every year or two. Now, it’s common to wait six to seven years between releases, which makes it harder for younger players to form lasting connections with a series.

We also talk about how some developers, like Nihon Falcom, have found a sweet spot with AA development. By releasing games more consistently, they’ve kept their audiences engaged and helped drive long-term adoption and sales. It raises the question of whether other studios need to rethink their approach if they want the next generation to grow up loving JRPGs.

💬Let us know in the comments: Do long gaps between games affect how you connect with a series, and what do you think studios should do differently?

✨ Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and join the JRPG conversation with us every week!

Link to the article: https://automaton-media.com/en/news/young-gamers-in-japan-may-not-be-forming-the-same-attachment-to-final-fantasy-or-dragon-quest-because-modern-dev-cycles-are-as-long-as-their-childhood-users-theorize/

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Timestamps:
00:00:00 Intro
00:01:15 Let's talk about that automaton-media article
00:09:00 What are the kids playing?!
00:14:22 Are younger generations less interested in narratives?
00:25:00 Are there unrealistic expectations on series like Final Fantasy?
00:33:55 Bringing it back to the success of the Trails series
00:44:30 Are cross platform releases affecting development and creativity?

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Emily:
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Branden:
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#jrpgs #jrpg #podcast #videogames #games

Join this channel on YouTube to get access to perks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtTJt-FyBOA8921t0XeB6hQ/joinA podcast for all things JRPG!If you're not already, consider becoming a member of the channel - you'll get access to our exclusive Discord to hang out with likeminded people, and at the Pursuer level, you'll also get the Aftershow (4+ additional hours of content every month!).Emily:YouTube: @orbalologyX: x.com/orbalologyBluesky: orbalology.bsky.socialInstagram: instagram.com/orbalologyBranden: YouTube: @JustTheGems X: x.com/_justthegemsBluesky: justthegems.netInstagram: instagram.com/_justthegemsAbdallah: YouTube: @DallahGamesX: x.com/dallahgamesBluesky: dallahgames.bsky.socialInstagram: instagram.com/thegeekyglobetrotter

Censorship sucks. Why does it happen, and what is the alternative? We dive into this controversy and try to provide a more nuanced take than you tend to find on the internet. Let us know what you think in the comments as well!
Join this channel on YouTube to get access to perks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtTJt-FyBOA8921t0XeB6hQ/joinA podcast for all things JRPG!If you're not already, consider becoming a member of the channel - you'll get access to our exclusive Discord to hang out with likeminded people, and at the Pursuer level, you'll also get the Aftershow (4+ additional hours of content every month!).Emily:YouTube: @orbalologyX: x.com/orbalologyBluesky: orbalology.bsky.socialInstagram: instagram.com/orbalologyBranden: YouTube: @JustTheGems X: x.com/_justthegemsBluesky: justthegems.netInstagram: instagram.com/_justthegemsAbdallah: YouTube: @DallahGamesX: x.com/dallahgamesBluesky: dallahgames.bsky.socialInstagram: instagram.com/dallahgames#podcast #jrpg #videogames #gaming

What does 2026 have in store for JRPG fans? Right now, it looks a LITTLE light, despite a small handful of heavy-hitters we're expecting before year end. But does that mean we're finally going to have all the time in the world to tackle our backlogs? We make some 2026 predictions and strategize about how to catch up on all the games we want to play.
Join this channel to get access to perks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtTJt-FyBOA8921t0XeB6hQ/joinA podcast for all things JRPG!If you're not already, consider becoming a member of the channel - you'll get access to our exclusive Discord to hang out with likeminded people, and at the Pursuer level, you'll also get the Aftershow (4+ additional hours of content every month!).Emily:YouTube: @orbalologyX: x.com/orbalologyBluesky: orbalology.bsky.socialInstagram: instagram.com/orbalologyBranden: YouTube: @JustTheGems X: x.com/_justthegemsBluesky: justthegems.netInstagram: instagram.com/_justthegemsAbdallah: YouTube: @DallahGamesX: x.com/dallahgamesBluesky: dallahgames.bsky.socialInstagram: instagram.com/dallahgames#podcast #gaming #videogames #jrpg #jrpgs