Chrono Trigger writer Masato Kato reveals Dragon Quest made him believe in video games as he “actually hated” them before playing the JRPG

In contrast to numerous individuals who lean toward Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest stands as the epitome of Japanese Role-Playing Games (JRPGs), and it’s adored for a valid reason. It’s common knowledge that many RPGs wouldn’t have been created if not for Dragon Quest. Interestingly, the creator of Chrono Trigger admitted that he held a strong dislike for all video games before he played this one.

In a conversation with Denfaminicogamer, translated by Automaton, Masato Kato – the writer behind Xenogears, Chrono Trigger, Final Fantasy 11, among others – shared that he delved into video games due to Dragon Quest. What particularly drew him in was how this type of RPG allowed players to step into the role of the story’s protagonist.

Chrono Trigger exists because of Dragon Quest

As a gaming enthusiast myself, let me tell you, I’ve always steered clear of video games entirely and have even developed a strong dislike for them. Some might label me as a ‘hater’, seeking uniqueness, and they wouldn’t be far from the truth.

Upon witnessing his sister play the initial Dragon Quest game, Kato’s perspective shifted dramatically. The author of Chrono Trigger found himself captivated by the incredible potential that role-playing games (RPGs) held.

Over time, Masato found himself working for Tecmo, contributing as both an artist and a scriptwriter on Captain Tsubasa football games and Ninja Gaiden. Subsequently, he moved to Square (before it merged with Enix) where he penned Chrono Trigger. His deep involvement in the game’s creation led many to believe that he served as a director for the project.

Kato has been involved in developing games like Final Fantasy 7, Xenogears, Chrono Cross, Final Fantasy XI, and many others over time. His most recent project was Another Eden, a free-to-play game that serves as a spiritual successor to Chrono Trigger, released in 2017.

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2025-07-14 19:10