Anyone who has played Elden Ring, or any FromSoftware game for that matter, would know that the type of storytelling in these innovative action RPGs is unlike most other big-budget AAA games, which use cutscenes and dialogue to advance their plots.
FromSoftware games, meanwhile, use a “fragmented” approach that has the player piecing the lore themselves by text from several objects peppered throughout the game. It’s an ambient format of storytelling that is greatly appreciated by fans, but disliked by some that want more conventional methods. However, FromSoftware boss Hidetaka Miyazaki firmly stands by their approach.
Elden Ring’s Storytelling Ties In Perfectly With Gameplay
In a recent interview with Famitsu, Hidetaka Miyazaki, the president and CEO of From Software, discussed the design philosophy behind the challenging gameplay and fragmented storytelling that have become hallmarks of the studio’s games. He revealed fascinating reasons for Elden Ring‘s narrative approach, one that encourages player engagement and interpretation.
Miyazaki acknowledged the ever-evolving nature of game development, particularly in the realm of balancing difficulty and experience. However, he emphasizes that this focus on gameplay decisions coexists with a deliberate choice to present stories in a fragmented manner.
First, I want the gameplay experience to become the player’s story. For that, we don’t tell a rigid story in a verbose way.
The core objective behind this fragmentation, according to Miyazaki, is to empower players to craft their own narratives within the game’s framework. By avoiding an overly verbose exposition, FromSoftware creates space for players to forge their own interpretations based on their experiences.
Fragmented Approach Allows For Personal Renditions
When it came to player-centric interpretations of the story, Miyazaki said:
Additionally, we want to leave some of the story to the player’s imagination. This ties into making the gameplay experience the player’s story as mentioned earlier and becoming absorbed in filling in the margins with your own imagination is simply fun, I believe.
Thanks to FromSoftware’s unique approach, filling in the gaps of the story becomes an engaging exercise, fostering a deeper connection to the world and its lore. The act of piecing together fragments, whether through item descriptions, environmental details, or NPC dialogues, culminates in a personal understanding of the narrative, one that resonates uniquely with each player.
Miyazaki further highlights the innate satisfaction of piecing together the narrative puzzle. The “Ah-ha!” moments, where connections become clear and the fragmented story comes together, offer a distinct sense of accomplishment and reward. This process of discovery, driven by exploration and deduction, becomes an integral part of the overall gameplay experience.
Elden Ring‘s fragmented storytelling might seem unconventional at first glance, but the intention becomes clear when viewed through Miyazaki’s lens. The focus shifts from passively consuming a predetermined narrative to actively engaging with the game’s world, forging a unique connection to the story and its characters.
This player-driven approach not only fosters deeper immersion but also creates a richer, more personal experience within the captivating world of Elden Ring.
