Square Enix is gathering the press in Tokyo today to announce new Dragon Quest stuff. They haven't said exactly what they'll be announcing, but the general expectation is a first showing of Dragon Quest X.

The internet was much younger back when Dragon Quest IX saw a similar press conference. In 2011, you can view the proceedings just like a Famitsu editor. To watch the press conference live, select from the following official streams:

• UStream
• Nico Nico Video (login required)

Japanese readers can also see these live blogs/Twitter feeds from the event:

• Famitsu.com
• 4GamerLive

I'll be posting the major happenings in this space as they... happen. Similar to the Konami pre-TGS press conference, my live blog updating thing isn't working, so you're going to have to refresh the page periodically.

LIVE UPDATES FOLLOW

14:55: The press conference comes to an end! Check back around the site later for further coverage!

14:55: Regarding the release time frame, Hori said it will be 2012.

14:54: Hori and Saito take the stage for a parting message.

14:52: Regarding the Wii U version, Iwata notes that players who begin playing on the Wii could continue on the Wii U after they pick up that system.

14:49: Iwata congradulates the series on its 25th anniversary. It's also Zelda's 25th anniversary, he reminds.

14:48: Next, they bring out Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata to speak.

14:47: They're going to have a beta test. Details will be announced shortly.

14:46: Next Hori announces a bit of possible 3DS compatibility. They're thinking about something where you can transfer your character to your 3DS for Spot Pass transfers with other players.

14:46: The staff is working to make DQX graphically superior on Wii U. The Wii and Wii U versions will be played in the same world, though -- they will be crossplatform.

14:45: They just announced Dragon Quest X for Wii U!

14:45: Next, a surprise!

14:44: The hosts ask for a development status update. The producer just gives a generic bit about how they're working hard on the game, and so forth.

14:44: The video of the play session ends.

14:42: When you're not playing, you can let your character be used by other players in their parties.

14:41: This time, he has a new weapon and upped his skill points. He and his new party of two other NPCs face off agains the Golem. Other players who are in your area as you fight appear translucent and show their support for you.

14:40: The music playing in the background as he plays is all new DQX music from Sugiyama.

14:40: He's going to try the Golem battle that he lost in the previous clip. This time, he's going to use a new weapon.

14:39: You can also create your own home. Your friends can come visit.

14:39: You can create weapons that are used by other people. If your weapon is used by many, your status/name will rise.

14:38: Now they're introducing a section called "life in the Dragon Quest X world." You can take things like weapon and accessory maker jobs.

14:37: Players can help other players who've fallen.

14:35: You can see other players fighting in the world. This looks MMORPGish. I don't think they've said how many people can exist in the same world though.

14:34: He's adventuring with an NPC that he selected himself. The characters have job and race (the five races from the title -- dwarves, elfs, etc...).

14:34: Like past DQ games, you go to the pub to assemble a party.

14:33: The game screen is being kept simple and clean, Fujisawa says.

14:33: You can create your own character.

14:33: They're showing a play demo that was filmed earlier.

14:32: Director Jin Fujisawa takes the stage to show the game.

14:30: The next theme is things that may relieve those worried about online games. You'll be able to logout easily, for instance. You won't have to play with others -- the game can be cleared 100% on your own, using NPC characters. The commands will be familiar.

14:30 (Season means things like New Years, Halloween, etc... not seasons like Fall, Winter).

14:29: There will be various events with every season.

14:28: The game will also have added quests post release -- like in Dragon Quest IX. It will be at the same pace or even faster pace that DQIX's. Some of the quests will span multiple volumes.

14:27: They'll have a job change system. They won't announce the name of the system today. After release, there will be additional jobs.

14:27: Next a concept: "The joy of being able to play forever."

14:27: He's not sharing details on the story -- just showing artwork and telling players to imagine from there.

14:26: The game will have a huge story, Saito says. (In case you were worried about it being online and all...)

14:25: Hori and Saito are looking at the five race artwork and praising Toriyama's work.

14:24: The game is set in Astortia, which has five continents and five races -- the five races listed in the surname.

14:23: Saito explains the game's concept, world view, etc...

14:22: Everything is being developed internally. Even the CG work from the intro was from Visual Works (Square Enix's movie staff).

14:22: This is the first time the game is being developed inside Square Enix.

14:21: Producer Yosuke Saito takes the stage.

14:21: Hori is calling out the game's producer.

14:19: They've delivered messages.

14:19: Akira Toriyama and Sugiyama Koichi are, of course, handling the character designs and music.

14:18: Regarding the online, your allies will be real players.

14:17: Hear that? It's for Wii! So no more questions about platform changes!

14:16: The game is going to be an online RPG. It's for Wii.

14:16: The surname leaked out in a trademark filing a while back.

14:15: Dragon Quest X Mezameshi Itsutsu no Shuzoku

14:14: Developed by Square Enix, the clip said...

14:13: He's going to show a video to introduce the next DQ game.

14:10: He's recalling how low tech things were back when the first DQ came out -- the game fit in the file size of a cell phone wallpaper screen.

14:10: He thanks the fans for the series being able to go on for so long.

14:09: "Hello, I am Hori."

14:09: DQ series father Hori Yuuji takes the stage!

14:08: The new Dragon Quest portal site, Dragon Quest Paradise, is opening today. It's at dragonquest.jp.

14:08: Now he's speaking about upcoming non game developments.

14:08: Yes we will! December 1 is the release date!

14:08: Next up, Itadaki Street Wii... I believe Fortune Street in the US? Will we get a release date?

14:08: Yes we will! November 2 is the release date!

14:08: Next, Slime Mori Mori Dragon Quest 3 for 3DS. This was previously announced before, of course. Will we get a release date?

14:08: He's beginning by introducing upcoming near-term developments for the series, first DQ Collection, which hits Wii on 9/15.

14:07: Miyake is the executive producer of the Dragon Quest series at Square Enix.

14:05: Yuu Miyake takes the stage (I think that's his name).

14:04: The MCs said the reason why they're MCing. The dude is gong to be hosting some Square Enix net program that will start off with a DQ special. The girl will be appearing as a guest on the first episode.

14:03: Today's MCs are Hiroki Yasumoto and Ayana Tsubaki.

14:02: It's just showing the numbered games, then ends with "next," so this is definitely about DQX!

14:01: The event begins with a montage clip running through the history of the series.

14:01: It's starting!!!

13:59: The event is named ""The New Door that Now Opens" or something like that. The dude who just spoke said that the event is about to start.

13:57: Sound finally up! GO GO!

13:56: The Nico Nico Video feed has 32,000 viewers -- double the Ustream feed at present. Neither has sound right now, so I assume the sound is cut off until the start of the event.

13:49: If you're wondering what a Slime Tower Speaker looks like: clicky click. If I'm reading correctly, the individual Slimes can be placed separately.

13:46: This is a Slime Niku-man (Meat Bun) as it may be displayed at Family Mart.

Image from Famitsu.com's live blog. They've got lots more pics from the event space, so check the site directly!

13:40: The Ustream broadcast has started. Watch here.

13:38: From Famitsu, the exhibit area of the press conference shows Slime meat buns that will be released at convenience store Family Mart in late November, and a Slime Tower Speaker that will be released in November by Hori.

13:27: According to a listing at Sankei Biz, today's event is about Dragon Quest X.

13:25: The press conference is taking place on the 39th floor. The 39th floor of what, I don't know. But it's on the 39th floor.

13:23: These pics from the event space are from Famitsu.com. They're finally using Cover It Live for their blog.

13:20: The event starts at 14:00, so check back in a bit!!! also me