It’s a tough month for Dark Souls fans. After news of the original DS2‘s servers shutting down came about, we’ve got some tough news to break on the lifespan of the series as a whole.
2018 was the last time we got new DS content, which was the remastered version of the first game. And FromSoftware boss Hidetaka Miyazaki actually hinted in an older interview as to why we’d go so long without a new DS game. Unfortunately, the answer isn’t very hopeful.
Dark Souls 3: A Definitive End to the Beloved Series
In a revealing interview with GameSpot in 2015, Hidetaka Miyazaki, the mastermind behind the beloved Souls series, hinted at the closure of the franchise with the release of Dark Souls 3.
Miyazaki was concerned about the potential for overexposure to the Souls and Bloodborne games, acknowledging that continuing indefinitely with these titles wouldn’t be the wisest choice.
With multiple Souls games and expansions released over the years, he recognized the importance of avoiding franchise fatigue and keeping the gaming experience fresh for players.
Despite the success and acclaim garnered by the Souls series, Miyazaki wanted one thing clear:
I’m considering Dark Souls 3 to be the big closure on the series. That’s not just limited to me, but From Software and myself together want to aggressively make new things in the future.
His vision was clear: FromSoftware needed to venture into uncharted territories and explore fresh ideas to maintain its innovative edge in the industry. The game wouldn’t just be the last chapter of a beloved franchise; it was also the start of exciting new projects from the studio.
Addressing questions about his legacy and the impact of the Souls series on the gaming landscape, Miyazaki remained humble and focused on the future.
I have no concern over others making similar games, it just shows that players wanted games that were like this, that are difficult, and wanted other studios to make challenging games that achieve the same level of satisfaction.
So, while fans might long for a Dark Souls 4, Miyazaki has shut the door on that for now. However, he’s got other exciting projects in the works, which I’d still consider a big win.
Dark Souls Was Inspired by a Popular Manga Series
During the interview, Miyazaki opened up about his sources of inspiration and gaming preferences.
He drew heavily on the popular grimdark manga Berserk and Sorcery, an adventure game book by Steve Jackson, as inspiration.
When asked about recent interests, Miyazaki revealed that while playing games, he often approaches them from a director’s perspective, making it challenging to experience them purely for enjoyment.
While Miyazaki’s gaming experiences are varied, he unsurprisingly admitted a preference for fantasy settings, leaning towards titles like TES: Oblivion over post-apocalyptic games like Fallout 4.
What do you think about Miyazaki’s inspirations? Are there any works you’ve come across that you feel have inspired the Souls series? Let us know in the comments below!
