Rune Factory 6 & Project Dragon: Release, Platforms, Everything We Know

Last Updated: November 19, 2025


Rune Factory 6 and Project Dragon logo art

A new era for the beloved farming and action-RPG series is dawning, and the community is electric with anticipation. While past rumors circulated under the name "Guardians of Azuma," developer Marvelous Inc. has officially pulled back the curtain, revealing not one, but two major new titles are in development: Rune Factory 6 and a dynamic, eastern-themed spin-off currently titled Rune Factory: Project Dragon.

These announcements have clarified the future of the franchise, setting the stage for epic new adventures. With distinct settings and the promise of series-defining innovation, fans are eager to learn when they can play, what platforms they’ll be on, and how these games might leverage Nintendo’s upcoming next-generation console.

Rune Factory: Project Dragon - A New Adventure in the East

Setting a bold new direction for the series, Rune Factory: Project Dragon is an upcoming mainline title that transports players to the long-unexplored eastern lands. This vibrant region, heavily inspired by Japanese aesthetics, has been mentioned in previous games but never visited—until now.

Players will once again take on the role of an Earthmate, a hero with the unique ability to commune with nature and Runes. The core mission revolves around exploring this new world and uncovering its mysteries. Based on the debut trailer, Project Dragon is set to evolve the series' signature gameplay with exciting new features:

  • Vibrant Eastern-Inspired World: Explore a land of unique architecture, characters in traditional attire, and monsters drawn from Japanese folklore.
  • Seamanship and Exploration: A key new mechanic involves navigating the world aboard a massive, flying dragon that doubles as a vessel, allowing players to travel between different airborne islands and discover what lies beyond the clouds.
  • Evolved Action-RPG Combat: The fast-paced combat system returns, promising new weapon types, stylish special attacks, and formidable bosses that will challenge even veteran players.
  • Deep Life Simulation: The heart of Rune Factory remains. Players will cultivate crops, build relationships with a new cast of characters, forge friendships, and find romance in this beautiful new setting.

Marvelous has not yet announced a release window or confirmed platforms for Rune Factory: Project Dragon.

Rune Factory 6 - The Next Mainline Chapter

Alongside Project Dragon, Marvelous also announced the next numbered installment, Rune Factory 6. This title will serve as the direct continuation of the core series, taking players to the western continent of Adonea.

While fewer details are known about Rune Factory 6 compared to Project Dragon, its setting on the western continent suggests it will build upon the established world and lore that fans know and love. It is expected to continue the timeline following the events of previous games, offering a more traditional, yet refined, Rune Factory experience. Like Project Dragon, no release date or platforms have been confirmed for Rune Factory 6.

The Nintendo Switch Successor Question

With both new Rune Factory titles in development without a firm release window, much of the community discussion has focused on their potential as flagship titles for Nintendo's next console. Nintendo has officially confirmed that it will announce the successor to the Switch by the end of the fiscal year, which concludes in March 2025.

This timeline positions both Rune Factory 6 and Project Dragon as prime candidates for a cross-generational release or even as titles built specifically to take advantage of the new hardware. A version for a more powerful console could deliver significant upgrades, including higher-resolution graphics, vastly improved performance and frame rates, and near-instant loading times, creating the most immersive Rune Factory experience to date. While nothing is confirmed, the timing makes a next-gen Nintendo launch for these games a very strong possibility.

Pricing and Editions

Official pricing for Rune Factory 6 and Rune Factory: Project Dragon has not been announced. However, looking at current industry standards, fans can likely expect new major titles to launch in the $59.99 to $69.99 range for standard editions on consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Nintendo's next system. PC versions on Steam may follow a similar structure. As development progresses, Marvelous and publisher XSEED Games will release official details regarding pre-orders, pricing, and any potential special or collector's editions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the new Rune Factory games?
The officially announced new titles are Rune Factory 6, the next numbered entry, and Rune Factory: Project Dragon, a mainline spin-off set in an eastern-inspired land.

Is "Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma" a real game?
No, "Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma" appears to be a rumored or fan-created name. The gameplay elements associated with it, such as the eastern setting, belong to the officially announced title Rune Factory: Project Dragon.

When will the new Rune Factory games be released?
Marvelous Inc. has not yet announced an official release date or window for either Rune Factory 6 or Rune Factory: Project Dragon.

What platforms will the new games be on?
Confirmed platforms have not yet been announced. Given the series' history, releases on Nintendo consoles and PC (Steam) are highly anticipated, with a PlayStation release also being a strong possibility.

Will the new Rune Factory games be on the Nintendo Switch successor?
While unconfirmed, the development timeline aligns closely with Nintendo's plan to announce its next console by March 2025. This makes it very likely that one or both games will be developed for the new hardware to take advantage of its enhanced power.