Over the past decade, Japanese developer FromSoftware has established a name for itself with its dark, punishing action RPG titles, culminating in its most recent award-winning entry, Elden Ring. However, what you might be surprised to know is that before such games saw the light of the day, FromSoftware was a developer known for its popular Armored Cored series, which debuted in 1997.
FromSoftware’s brand of dark, doomy, mystery-laden games has undoubtedly defined an entire generation of gamers. However, many players have wondered why the Japanese developer stuck to this particular style for its games. In an interview, FromSoftware’s Hidetaka Miyazaki finally shared why he and his teams tend to bring stories that bring players into apocalyptic worlds.
Hidetaka Miyazaki Explains Why FromSoftware Opts For Apocalyptic Settings
In recent years, we’ve seen FromSoftware releasing blockbusters such as Dark Souls, Bloodborne, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, and Elden Ring. While these incredible games may be completely different in their nature and mechanics, what they all have in common is a dark, bleak, or post-apocalyptic world.
In an interview with IGN, Miyazaki, while talking about Armored Core 6, finally opened up on FromSoftware’s liking for this particular setting in its games.
I would say there are two main reasons why we tend towards these apocalyptic settings. One is purely direct to taste, and the preferences of the game director and game developers. I think this is something that, again, has applied in FromSoftware history as well with our previous CEO, [Naotoshi Zin].
Miyazaki revealed that the reasons behind FromSoftware’s behind this particular setting are two-fold. First, according to him, it all comes to taste. By using the company’s first title, King’s Field, as an example, he stated that the challenge to survive in a devasting setting has always interested the creative minds of the studio. Even the company’s previous CEO, Natoshi Zin, loved these worlds, which Miyazaki and his teams have expanded upon.
So I think that’s where that may be stemmed from. My tastes happen to be similar, so I think that’s why you see a lot of that in modern Soulsborne titles as well. So it does depend on the director’s tastes and personal idiosyncrasies.
The second reason for choosing a post-apocalyptic setting relates to the skill set and experience of the FromSoftwa’res development team. Miyazaki explains that it’s a better use of available resources and knowledge to direct the designers’ efforts to create the worlds that the studio is always known for.
Miyzaki’s reasoning for crafting apocalyptic games would undoubtedly allow FromSoftware to gain more experience on the subject, allowing them to create even more such games. It’s clear that the developers have mastered the craft of these settings, with Elden Ring setting new standards for the industry.
Will There Be a Sequel For Elden Ring?
Elden Ring’s upcoming Shadow of the Erdtree DLC is right around the corner, and the community is excited about what Miyzaki and his team have in store! It’s been two years since the launch of the game, which has left many players wondering if the critically acclaimed game will ever receive a sequel treatment from Miyazaki and his team.
Unfortunately, in an interview, Miyazaki explained that FromSoftware has no plans to craft a sequel or any other expansions for the game. This is quite surprising, considering Elden Ring is the studio’s biggest and most successful launch ever.
Although Miyazaki doesn’t completely squash the possibility of a return to Elden Ring’s universe in the future, he reveals that FromSoftware plans for a “big break.” Now, it’s up to your interpretation of what he meant, as a big break could mean time away from development or moving away from Elden Ring.
