Elden Ring is possibly FromSoftware’s most successful game of all time, that is until it is dethroned by whatever director Hidetaka Miyazaki is working on next. Miyazaki has directed the majority of the Dark Souls trilogy and other soulslike games with a strategic formula of crafting the game first then the story second, however, the director adapted to the times and adjusted for the sake of Elden Ring.
Game development is far from easy, every detail needs to be laid out from start to finish but each creative has their unique approach. FromSoftware prides itself on the difficult nature of its games and Miyazaki doesn’t shy away from their core.
Elden Ring Was A Successful Experiment For Director Hidetaka Miyazaki
When it came to developing Elden Ring, the Japanese director collaborated with George R. R. Martin, the legendary author of A Song of Ice and Fire to be in charge of world-building.
In an interview regarding Dark Souls’ launch in 2011, Hidetaka Miyazaki discussed his approach to the game then, which is in direct contrast to his approach years later for Elden Ring. Miyazaki knew the potential of collaborating with renowned author George R. R. Martin and could not risk their project to be a failure. Miyazaki went to the author and utilized his skills and expertise in crafting a new story that is rich in lore and mythos that can be developed even further down the line.
Stepping out of his comfort zone and finalizing the lore first before the game is a testament to his willingness to adapt. Other great game developers are most likely confined and comfortable with how they create their projects, although it may seem like a logical and safe strategy that can also be counterproductive. The developers of FromSoftware don’t cower behind when faced with a difficult challenge.
The Success Of Dark Souls Led To The Popularity Of Soulslike Games
Great games inspire great games, it is evident that recent soulslike titles like Rise of the Ronin were inspired by the open-world approach from Elden Ring but somehow made it their own and even more accessible to other players by granting multiple difficulty options. Team Ninja saw a way to invite casual gamers who are too intimidated by FromSoftware’s difficult nature and made them enjoy a Soulslike at the pace of their comfort.
FromSoftware has pioneered the Soulslike genre and after each game, they continue to elevate it to something even better and more refined. From Demon’s Souls to the Dark Souls trilogy and the infamous Bloodborne to Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice and now Elden Ring, it can only get better from here.
It is also a beautiful union to see two creatives from different crafts to work alongside each other and bring something special to the world. Martin may not have worked on any new lore or mythos for the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC but fans can expect the same level of hype and greatness from the base game.
Dark Souls was the perfect stepping stone and to reflect how far Miyazaki has come with Elden Ring is a humbling experience. What are your thoughts about the sSoulslike genre? Let us know in the comments section below!
