Back in August 2006, series composer Koichi Sugiyama confirmed that Dragon Quest IX: Defenders of the Starry Sky was in development for DS.

At the time, no timeframe was given for a release.

“I’m not sure when Dragon Quest IX will be released, but it seems that progress is continually being made. I’m personally excited,” he told Famitsu.

It looks like Level-5 president Akihiro Hino has the answer.

In the latest issue of Famitsu, he said that his goal was to have the DS title finished by the end of the year. And just to make things interesting, he added that he’s shooting to finish White Knight Chronicles, Inazuma Eleven, and even the third Professor Layton game by the end of 2008, too.

Level-5 is going to be busy this year.

Source: Revolution Portal