Nihon Falcom will be present at the Dengeki Game Festival 2019, which takes place on March 24th in Japan, with the first development footage for its upcoming Ys IX: Monstrum Nox. However, president Toshihiro Kondo will also be on hand on to talk about the future of the Trails series. The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel 3 is coming to PS4 in the West this year, while Trails of Cold Steel 4 released last year in Japan. But what’s next?

Speaking to Gamer.ne.jp, Kondo spoke about wanting the next series to connect to established arcs. He also seemingly wants to expand on Trails of Cold Steel some more. “The Trails of Cold Steel series is over, and naturally one of our challenges is how do we continue, while at the same time we want the next series to trace back the previous stories even for users who haven’t played the Trails of Cold Steel series at all,” he said. “Also, while Trails of Cold Steel wrapped up in four titles, there is still a little more we wanted to do, so I wonder if we’ll do some sort of two-pronged strategy where something can be done on that front.”

Kondo wants to look at doing both things side by side. Either way, you can expect at least one game to be showcased for the series’ 15th anniversary. “I don’t think it’s good to pour too much energy into either thing and fall behind, so I would like to do them side by side,” he said. “Since this year is the series’ 15th anniversary, I’m thinking about showing off another title at the very least.”

Another interesting note is how Kondo wants to “get the series everyone’s hands with as little waiting in between as possible.” This could indicate doing something with titles like Zero no Kiseki and Ao no Kiseki, available only in Japan for PSP, PC, and PlayStation Vita. Then again, it could also mean a Western release for Trails of Cold Steel 4. Time will tell, so stay tuned for the Dengeki Game Festival 2019 to learn more.

Nihon Falcom has already provided plenty of details for Ys IX: Monstrum Nox, the next sequel in the prestigious Ys franchise. However, on March 24th at the Dengeki Game Festival 2019 from 5 PM to 6:30 PM JST, the developer will debut footage for the game. President Toshihiro Kondo will be on hand for the debut, and will also talk about the future of the Trails series.

Ys IX: Monstrum Nox is out for PS4 in Japan this year, with no information on a Western release date yet. However, The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel 3 will be receiving a release in North America and Europe in the Fall, only for PS4. Perhaps Kondo will talk about Trails of Cold Steel 4 and its potential Western release?

Regardless, both announcements will be worth waiting for. Ys IX: Monstrum Nox aims to do several new things with the franchise, including a new protagonist, new mechanics – including vertical movement – and a new setting with the Prison City of Bardeuk. Stay tuned for more information in the meantime.