If you ever wanted to name important, or key figures in gaming history, a guaranteed name on the list would be Hidetaka Miyazaki, FromSoftware’s president. The man is known for his influential work on titles like Bloodborne and Elden Ring. In an interview where he talked about Elden Ring‘s upcoming DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree, Miyazaki made a humorous joke.
He wanted to experience his creations as a player rather than a developer. This was highlighted when he ironically considered self-induced amnesia so he could stop being all-knowing and experience the worlds he helped build like a player.
Hidetaka Miyazaki’s Wish To Be The Player For Once
In a recent interview with PC Gamer, Miyazaki spoke about the fact that he was still in pursuit of making his ideal fantasy RPG. He noted that while Elden Ring came close, it didn’t fully capture his vision. When asked why, he attributed it partly to the fact that he made the game.
Back when doing interviews about Elden Ring, I think I mentioned that I’m still in the process of making my ideal fantasy RPG. And while Elden Ring is not quite it, it’s pretty close. It’s getting close.
As the creator, he knows every twist and turn, every plot twist that the game has. Having this knowledge obviously makes it so he can’t enjoy the games that he makes and the worlds that he crafts so meticulously as a player would. Which is why he makes a joke about the possibility of self induced amnesia.
That’d be the dream.To self-induce amnesia and enjoy the game I created myself. But I might get really angry and break the controller, or something. Maybe it’s not a good idea.
Hidetaka Miyazaki is heavily influenced in his game design by his passion for tabletop RPGs. Th Players can see this in the world that he’s made in Elden Ring. He mentioned that trying to recapture the excitement of classic ’80s RPGs was a significant aspect of Elden Ring‘s development.
This approach and inspiration can be clearly seen in Elden Ring’s map and catacombs that give them dungeon-like feelings. They are reminiscent of old-school RPG adventures where players had to draw their own maps and explore without the convenience of quest logs or map markers that are common in newer games.
Miyazaki is Not Alone in Wanting to Experience Elden Ring For The First Time
While he brought it up as irony and a passing joke, Miyazaki’s words of potentially having a self-induced amnesia to experience one’s own art is a very valid notion. Artists, writers, and developers often find it hard to appreciate their work objectively due to their intimate involvement in its creation.
As he later mentions in the same interview, his ultimate dream for his ideal RPG is for someone else to make it. This would allow him to have the sense of discovery and wonder that players have. While it might seem impractical or even nonsensical for someone such as him to say this, it speaks volumes about his passion and dedication, not just for his work, but also for gaming.
I know everything’s going to happen. I already know everything that’s going on. So in terms of enjoying the game from a player’s perspective, I’d love to not know that, and for somebody else to make my ideal fantasy game, please, if possible. Then I can enjoy it just as a player.
Elden Ring continues to be a worldwide success and is getting its first DLC in the form of the Shadow of The Erdtree expansion in just a few days. Miyazaki’s reflections give us, the audience, a look into the mind of a genius creator who has a longing to enjoy his work the way we do.
If you could turn the clock back and play Elden Ring again for the very first time- what one piece of advice would you give yourself?
byu/chaseinthyface inEldenring
And the community feels the exact same. Discussions on online forums like Reddit reveal a shared sentiment. Everyone wants to have the chance to experience these masterpieces all over again.
Players talk about the things they stumble upon, the epic boss fights, the secrets and challenges of Elden Ring and Bloodborne, and reflect Miyazaki’s desire for a chance at seeing it all again for the first time.
Not many games can evoke this kind of feeling from a fanbase as big and as dedicated as this. And this collective nostalgia is what forges a unique bond between creator and audience, united by a love for discovery and adventure.
As Hidetaka Miyazaki continues to push the boundaries of game design, we the audience can only hope that he finds his “ideal fantasy RPG,” hopefully created by someone else. So that he can experience the perfection he desires, the way he let us experience the perfection of Elden Ring.
Until then, we return to Bloodborne and Elden Ring, appreciating the genius behind the games while secretly longing for the chance to play them all over again, just like Miyazaki dreams of doing.
