FromSoftware, the Japanese video game developer best known for delivering what some critics have described as being masochistic challenges in its soulslike video games, including complex and punishing boss battles that require extreme reflexes to survive, is open to making changes to its game design if it finds that players are unable to beat them without the help of a guide. Hidetaka Miyazaki,
President and Representative Director of FromSoftware (and the director behind many of its biggest hits, including Bloodborne, Sekiro, and Elden Ring), shared the thought in a new interview this week ahead of Shadow of the Erdtree’s release, explaining that while it respects players who resort to guides, the developer caters to those who wish to experience things “organically.”
Miyazaki said:
- “Of course players are going to consult guides, and there’s going to be a wealth of information on the web and in their communities where they have access to the secrets and the strategies. We expect that.”
- “We obviously understand [players use guides], but we don’t make or plan anything with that as a prerequisite. If anything, we try to cater to the player who is completely blind and wants to go through organically.”
- “If they can’t do it, then there’s some room for improvement on our behalf, and we’d like to try to embrace those players more in the future.”
- “We don’t necessarily cater to players who are reading guides as they go. Of course, it’s a perfectly valid playstyle, and we respect those players who like to approach it with a guide in hand. We just want to let you know it’s not our prerequisite, designing the game in their favor.”
A new recap trailer for Elden Ring that premiered today, including a preview event for the new expansion:
A description for Shadow of the Erdtree:
Winner of hundreds of accolades including The Game Awards Game of the Year and Golden Joystick Awards Ultimate Game of the Year, ELDEN RING is the acclaimed action RPG epic set in a vast, dark fantasy world. Players embark on an epic quest with the freedom to explore and adventure at their own pace.
The Shadow of the Erdtree expansion features an all-new story set in the Land of Shadow imbued with mystery, perilous dungeons, and new enemies, weapons and equipment.