Statistics inside which show that some Japanese gamers are opposed to changes regarding Dragon Quest.

Japan and its people love their RPGs. So, is it that much of a surprise to see them opposed to changes in the Dragon Quest series?

A recent poll by Famitsu suggests that some gamers are 'upset' over the way things are progressing.

When asked: "Do you welcome Dragon Quest IX on Nintendo DS? Does it make you happy? Are you in love with the very idea of it?" (Emphasis added.)

40.3% say "Yes"
46% say "No"
5.2% say "Neither"
8.5% say "I'm not sure yet"

We're unsure as to why they are feeling this way. It is a bit of a mystery, especially considering that the DS lite is the biggest selling videogaming device in Japan at this present moment in time.

When asked "Do you like the idea of action-based battles in a Dragon Quest game? Will they change your world for the better?" (Again, emphasis added.)

6.8% say "Neither yes nor no"
19.9% say "I'm not sure yet"
19.4% say "Yes"
53.9% say "No"

However, we would like to point out that this in no way accounts for the whole Japanese population. This was a magazine poll, after all.

This is why Famitsu always has the "Retailer" corner, where they ask the retailers the same questions. In Japanese, "Retailer" means "What we think normal, game-buying people will think".

The 'retailers' got asked the same two questions. When asked about whether they were happy to see the series on the DS:

47.5% -- Yes
22.5% -- Neither yes nor no
10% -- Not sure yet
20% -- No

Finally, when asked whether or not they liked the idea of action-based battles:

15% -- Yes
32.4 -- Not sure yet
12.5 -- Neither yes nor no
40% -- No

This poll does raise some questions. Will Japanese gamers eventually go out in hoards and buy this game? Or, will it really be met with hostility?