At a press conference in Tokyo today Square Enix announced first details regarding the newest installment of its flagship series Dragon Quest, titled Dragon Quest IX: Hoshizora no mamori Hito for DS. Just like Dragon Quest VIII, Dragon Quest IX will be developed by Fukuoka-based Level 5, makers of Rogue Galaxy and the upcoming White Knight Story for PlayStation 3. Furthermore, Dragon Quest IX will feature an online component. Players will be able to team up with their friends and create a party of four, similiar to Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles. Battles will be more action-oriented this time around, as series mastermind Yuuji Horii is aiming for an entirely different, new Dragon Quest experience. Composer Kouichi Sugiyama also made an appearance at today's event, saying he will continue to compose music for Dragon Quest until he dies.

Dragon Quest IX will be available in Japan sometime next year.

• Famitsu