Many gamers would recognize Hidetaka Miyazaki as one of the greatest video game directors of all time. He is renowned for his works in the Dark Fantasy genre in the world of gaming and has been in the spotlight ever since the release of his latest title Elden Ring back in 2022.
There are a lot of elements that one can use to recognize the work of Miyazaki. However, the insane level of difficulty remains the most prominent one of them. Not only are the games known for their hard difficulty, but they feature no certain option to tone it down even by a bit.
Hidetaka Miyazaki Explains The Value Of Difficulty In His Games
Thousands of players over the years have broken their keyboards and controllers while trying to get over the hardest levels of Dark Souls and other similar Soulsborne games. Explaining why such a level of difficulty was put in place, Hidetaka Miyazaki stated in an interview via Eurogamer–
“I would say that difficulty is more of a means to an end. It’s definitely not something we set out to do when we make a game, As a theme, those elements of hardship and that feeling of accomplishment simply have value as an experience, As a player and as a person, this is not something that can be easily achieved or replicated in our lives. And it’s something that carries with it inherent risk.”
The renowned director ultimately disclosed how creating a high level of difficulty is not the end goal when he sets out to make a video game. Instead, the difficulty implemented in the game is merely looked upon as a theme that has been put in place to deliver the player a sense of achievement once they are finally done with a hard level or the game as a whole.
Additionally, the director in another interview has stated how he feels apologetic toward anyone who feels overwhelmed by the difficulty in his game. While he always has the option to make his games less difficult, he just feels it best for people to experience the joy derived from overcoming hardship in his video game.
With the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC now scheduled to finally release on 21st June, many players look forward to what greatness the renowned director might have created this time around. There is also speculation that has arisen recently stating how the director might have set up the perfect start to future DLCs apart from Shadow of the Erdtree if he wishes to create more.
How Hidetaka Miyazaki Has The Perfect Setup For Future Elden Ring DLCs
Bearing in mind how the theme of the upcoming Elden Ring DLC is exploring the undiscovered realm of the Land of Shadow, it remains possible that it will become a recurring theme, where Miyazaki can make use of open endings in the main game to begin the new extensions. One fine example of the same would be how the player can get to explore Badlands, the origins of Godfrey, the first Elden Lord.
In order to traverse to the Land of Shadow, the tarnished character would need to interact with Miquella’s arm hanging out of his cocoon at the Mohgwyn palace. It has also been made clear by the director how the content of the DLC will remain exclusive to the extension and will not affect the original Elden Ring storyline.
Elden Ring is available to purchase on Steam.
