The 2022 release of Elden Ring was nothing short of monumental. The game’s premise and design got it the title of the second best-selling game of the year. FromSoftware’s president, Hidetaka Miyazaki, has since reflected on the game’s success and the subsequent release of its expansion, Shadow of the Erdtree.
The president acknowledges the delicate balance between creative freedom and commercial viability. This will get increasingly difficult as the studio moves to its next projects following the last hit.
Elden Ring’s Success Sets a High Bar For Miyazaki and FromSoft’s Future
The Elden Ring expansion, Shadow of the Erdtree, has not been without its criticisms. Hidetaka Miyazaki has mentioned before that learning from mistakes is a big part of his game design policy. But with the base game and the DLC being so successful, this could change.
In an interview with The Guardian, Miyazaki talked about the work that went into making the DLC. One of the main things he talked about was the future of the studio after its recent success and the inevitable skyrocket of standards from fans.
Budgets, scale, scope, everything has grown to a point where room for failure isn’t tolerated as much as I think it was in the past.
Miyazaki notes that the tolerance for failure has diminished over time, a shift driven by the progress of the industry and of fans. FromSoftware mitigates these risks through strategic partnerships so that no single project jeopardizes the company’s stability.
FromSoftware has its own way of hedging risks, so to speak, in that most of our projects have a partner who is financing the project …we’re not betting everything on any one single project.
The development of Elden Ring marked a turning point for the studio, pushing the company to its limits in terms of scale and scope. Miyazaki noted that the game represents the peak of what the studio can achieve with its current resources and talent.
Where Can Fans Expect Next From Miyazaki?
Looking ahead, Miyazaki suggests a shift in strategy for the studio, hinting at a future where multiple, smaller projects might take precedence over titles like Elden Ring. This approach could allow the company’s younger talent to step into leadership roles, fostering a new generation of game directors.
At the same time, you have to find the right project to allow for failure… I think that’s where a lot of young game directors will be challenged and will be able to learn from it.
Despite the pressures of success, Miyazaki believes that identifying and allowing space for failure is crucial for developing talent and pushing creative boundaries. This perspective has shaped his leadership at FromSoft.
The anticipation for the DLC was immense. While it initially faced mixed reviews due to its difficulty, it is now widely regarded as the best DLC. Despite the pressure to replicate previous successes, Miyazaki.
Miyazaki’s journey with FromSoft continues to be one of pushing boundaries and redefining what video games can be. As fans await the next steps from the studio, Miyazaki’s balancing act will require both courage to innovate and the wisdom to accept that failure is a part of the creative process.
What kind of masterclass will we get from this duo next? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
