Dark Souls 3 may have been the last in the franchise, but series mastermind Hidetaka Miyazaki made sure to release it in as polished a state as possible, with a network beta of the game to gauge player feedback. In an industry infamous for releasing games in half-baked states, FromSoftware’s commitment to quality is laudable.
However, the beta ignited concerns, particularly among series veterans, about the game’s direction. How did Miyazaki react to the beta’s perceived shortcomings, and how were they addressed by FromSoftware? Let’s find out.
Dark Souls 3 Beta Met With Mixed Reactions
In an interview with GameSpot, the FromSoftware president and Dark Souls director shed light on the feedback they received from the Dark Souls 3‘s beta. The interview finds him fresh off audio work, highlighting his continued hands-on approach to the game.
The beta proved to be a bit contentious as players, including the interviewer, expressed a sense of disorientation. The core mechanics, difficulty curve, and even the level design all felt a bit too familiar in the beta. The exhilarating sense of discovery intrinsic to Souls games seemed absent.
This led to the notion that DS3 was simply retreading the familiar territory established by its predecessors, rather than being a brand-new, innovative experience that stands out.
FromSoftware’s Addressal Of The Complaints
Miyazaki acknowledged these concerns head-on, explaining that the beta content was strategically chosen. It wasn’t meant to showcase the full breadth of the game. Instead, it served as a test bed for core mechanics and online multiplayer functionality.
Balance adjustments and bug fixes based on this beta data were crucial for the final product. Miyazaki assured fans that the familiar elements encountered in the beta wouldn’t define the entire experience.
The true surprises, the challenging encounters, and the signature fragmented storytelling expected from a Souls title were indeed all present in the full game.
The interview demonstrated the tightrope walk that not only Miyazaki, but the entire games industry, has to perform – balancing fan expectations with creative evolution. The DS3 beta was met with lukewarm reception, but it still turned out to be a satisfying conclusion to the series.
One thing’s for certain, though. With Miyazaki at the helm, the chances of FromSoftware delivering a stale, predictable experience are near-impossible. Their legacy is built on defying expectations and pushing players to the limits of their skills. The beta was a necessary step towards ensuring a refined foundation for the true Dark Souls 3 experience.
