Dragon Quest X to Feature an AI Chatbot Integration

Dragon Quest X, the MMORPG from Square Enix that debuted on the Wii in 2012, continues to receive updates even in 2026. However, one of the upcoming features isn’t a bug fix or a new gameplay mechanic; it’s essentially a chatbot featuring the series’ beloved blue Slime.

Square has revealed a collaboration with Google to integrate its AI language model, Gemini, into Dragon Quest X. This will introduce a Slime character that players can interact with, providing AI-generated responses. The goal is for this character to serve as a companion, offering tips, advice, and insights about the game world as players progress.

While the idea of an NPC chatbot may seem less intrusive than the use of generative AI for art and voice acting in some titles, it still feels like a developer is imposing a solution to a problem that doesn’t really exist, rather than leveraging the technology for something players genuinely desire.

This move appears to be Square testing the waters for broader applications of this technology in future games. Yuji Horii, the creator of the Dragon Quest series, has expressed his belief that AI will transform gaming within the next three to five years. Currently, Dragon Quest X is only available in Japan, which is surprising given the global success of Final Fantasy XIV. However, it wouldn’t be surprising to see similar features introduced in XIV if the company finds value in the integration with Dragon Quest X. What information sources the Gemini Slime will utilize remains uncertain at this point.