When it comes to timelines for game releases, Hidetaka Miyazaki knows good work takes time to create. While Elden Ring was first revealed in 2019, it only saw a release after three years in 2022. Fans have been waiting to hear of the next project from FromSoftware and were finally satiated upon hearing about the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC.
Coming a full two years after the release of Elden Ring, the DLC is set to hit platforms in June 2024. However, why did it take so long for the company to announce an expansion to one of its biggest games? Miyazaki’s previous interviews shed light on a possible reason.
The Elden Ring DLC May Not Have Been Hidetaka Miyazaki’s Priority
In 2014, leading up to the release of Bloodborne, Miyazaki interviewed with Japanese publication 4Gamer about the upcoming title and his creative process in general. Bloodborne was a major departure from the previous FromSoftware fantasy formula, so the interviewer began the conversation by asking what prompted Hidetaka Miyazaki to work on a fresh project instead of Demon’s Souls 2.
He states it was Sony Computer Entertainment who approached FromSoftware with the proposal to create a new project for the PlayStation 4. When asked if Miyazaki himself was interested in creating a new project, he said it’s a difficult question and he couldn’t say for certain.
He stated that working on a new game is appealing, “but on the other hand… there is a unique kind of fun when you are working on a sequel.” He feels that several straightforward additions can be implemented on something already built and expanded further. While new projects are clean slates, sequels work on certain structures.
But which previous title would Miyazaki have been thinking about currently? Well, a certain project codenamed Beast has been in the rumor mill once again, and people are speculating (and hoping) it’s somehow related to Bloodborne. This could explain why Shadow of the Erdtree has been in the pipeline for over two years after the release of the base game.
Revisiting Old Games Could Offer Inspiration for New Ones
When it comes to ideating for new games, Miyazaki is no stranger to taking inspiration from previous titles. So, while it may have extended the time for Shadow of the Erdtree, it may also result in some callbacks to previous FromSoftware games that fans are sure to appreciate.
Elden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree Matches Exactly What Hidetaka Miyazaki Did for Dark Souls 3’s DLC
Set in a completely new land and featuring an enigmatic new antagonist, Shadow of the Erdtree is going to be FromSoftware’s largest DLC piece yet. The game is said to be the size of Limgrave from Elden Ring and brings a laundry list of new weapons, spells, and items.
While we wait for the release of the expansion, scheduled for June, we are also curious about what FromSoftware has planned next. It’s going to be only a matter of time before gamers start asking for a new game, but will Miyazaki be the one heading a new title? Only time will tell.
Are you going to pick up Shadow of the Erdtree? Let us know in the comments!
