Hidetaka Miyazaki, the visionary creator behind the critically acclaimed Elden Ring, continues his quest to perfect the ideal fantasy RPG. Despite the overwhelming success of Elden Ring and the renowned Souls series, Miyazaki remains deeply invested in refining his vision for a perfect role-playing game.
Tabletop Games: The Foundation of Miyazaki’s Vision
In a recent interview with PC Gamer, Miyazaki delved into the inspirations behind his games. He cited the profound influence of tabletop games on his work. “You might say that trying to capture that excitement of those old tabletop games and game books was one facet of making Elden Ring,” he explained. This nostalgic element is woven into the fabric of his games, providing a rich, immersive experience reminiscent of the intricate narratives and deep engagement of classic tabletop adventures.
Personal Idiosyncrasies in Game Development
Miyazaki’s personal preferences play a significant role in his game development philosophy. “I think more than anything it’s just my personal preference when it comes to RPGs and exploring fantasy worlds, so you might see some of my personal idiosyncrasies come into play,” he noted. These unique touches are evident in the distinctive environments and challenging gameplay mechanics that characterize his games. Despite the acclaim for Elden Ring, Miyazaki admits that it is not the pinnacle of his ambitions. “I’m still in the process of making my ideal fantasy RPG. While Elden Ring is not quite it, it’s pretty close. It’s getting close,” he said.
Evolving Player Choice and Agency
The progression of the Souls games from character customization in Dark Souls to the open-world freedom of Elden Ring signifies Miyazaki’s dedication to enhancing player choice and agency. This evolution suggests that future FromSoftware titles may continue to push the boundaries of player expression and decision-making. The open-world design of Elden Ring, combined with the intricate character development options, provides a glimpse into the future direction of Miyazaki’s projects.
Challenges and Lessons from Elden Ring
Creating a game as vast and ambitious as Elden Ring was not without its challenges. Miyazaki candidly discussed the difficulties encountered during its development. “Making a game as large and ambitious as Elden Ring was obviously not without its troubles,” he admitted. However, these challenges also presented opportunities for growth and improvement. “Every time there’s things that go well and things that don’t go so well. Taking those bits that didn’t go so well this time with Elden Ring and incorporating those and improving those in a future title – that’s something I’m really excited for,” Miyazaki said.
Anticipating Future Titles
While the specifics of FromSoftware’s next project remain shrouded in mystery, Miyazaki’s hints about addressing past challenges fuel anticipation. Fans speculate whether the next game will further expand on the elements of player choice and world exploration that were so well-received in Elden Ring. Additionally, Miyazaki’s penchant for incorporating unique and challenging environments, such as the infamous poisoned swamps, is likely to continue.
Shadow of the Erdtree: A New Chapter for Elden Ring
The upcoming DLC for Elden Ring, Shadow of the Erdtree, promises to blur the lines between open field design and legacy dungeons. This expansion aims to delve deeper into the open-world mechanics that have captivated players, offering new adventures and challenges. Set to release on June 21st, Shadow of the Erdtree will introduce a fresh narrative and expanded gameplay features, enhancing the already rich tapestry of Elden Ring’s world.
Free Update with New Features
Alongside the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, a free update will be rolled out for all Elden Ring players. This update includes a host of new features designed to enrich the gaming experience. Players can look forward to additional customization options, gameplay improvements, and new content that further solidifies Elden Ring’s status as a genre-defining RPG.