Monolith Soft, the celebrated creators of the Xenoblade Chronicles franchise, are actively seeking talent for a new role-playing game (RPG). CEO Tetsuya Takahashi's recent announcement on the studio's website details this ambitious undertaking. The recruitment drive highlights the studio's commitment to evolving its development strategies to meet the challenges of crafting expansive, open-world experiences.
Takahashi's message emphasizes the intricate interconnectedness of characters, quests, and narratives within open-world games, necessitating a more streamlined production pipeline. This new RPG, he explains, presents a significantly greater level of complexity than previous Monolith Soft titles, requiring a larger, highly skilled team. Eight key positions are currently open, ranging from asset creation to leadership roles. While technical proficiency is essential, Takahashi stresses the paramount importance of shared passion for creating enjoyable player experiences.
This recruitment isn't entirely unprecedented. In 2017, Monolith Soft initiated a similar search for an action game, distinct from their established style. Concept art depicting a knight and a dog in a fantastical setting was revealed, but subsequent updates ceased. The studio's history, marked by expansive, innovative games like the Xenoblade Chronicles series and their contribution to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, underscores their reputation for ambitious projects.
Whether this new RPG is a continuation of the 2017 project remains unclear. The original recruitment page for that title has been removed from Monolith Soft's website, although this doesn't necessarily confirm cancellation; the project may simply have been postponed.
Details about the new RPG remain scarce, fueling considerable fan speculation. Given Monolith Soft's history, many anticipate this game to be their most ambitious yet, with some even suggesting it could be a launch title for a potential Nintendo Switch successor. The anticipation is palpable.