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Beloved FromSoftware games likeElden RingandBloodbornealmost didn’t exist. That is unless someone at the company hadn’t given Hidetaka Miyazaki a chance to save a dying project on a whim.
Yes, Miyazaki’s journey to becoming the mastermind behind FromSoftware’s hit titles is marked by a series of fortunate events and daring decisions. Thankfully, it all paid off, and we now have the immaculate Soulslike genre many have a love-hate relationship with.
How Hidetaka Miyazaki’s Sliding Doors Moment Eventually Lead to Elden Ring
In a 2015 interview withThe Guardian, Miyazaki revealed how a career change and a failing project led to the birth of a groundbreaking gaming genre.
Miyazaki’s path to FromSoftware was unconventional. At 29, deemed too old for graduate positions and lacking experience elsewhere, he found refuge at the studio. He worked as a coder on theArmored Coreseries. However, it was an underperforming project that would change the trajectory of his career.
At the time,Demon’s Soulswas a mess. “The project had problems and the team had been unable to create a compelling prototype,” explained Hidetaka Miyazaki.
He saw potential in the fantasy-action role-playing game concept and recognized a golden opportunity to reshape the game to his vision, free from expectations. The project was already in terrible shape—it couldn’t have gotten any worse, right?
“I have a very personal bond with this character”: Neither Dark Souls Nor Bloodborne, Hidetaka Miyazaki’s Favorite Boss Will Catch You by Surprise
Assigned to the project, Miyazaki held nothing back with the project. He overhauled virtually every aspect ofDemon’s Souls, injecting it with his creative vision and design philosophy.
The game’s initial launch in Japan was met with indifference; sales weren’t so good, and the game received a lukewarm reception at the Tokyo Game Show.
As stubborn as its players,Demon’s Soulsrefused to fade into obscurity. Its punishing difficulty and unique gameplay mechanics were fresh, and there weren’t any other games like it at the time.
The game slowly became a hit across the world. This success translated into theDark Soulsseries,Bloodborne, and eventuallyElden Ring. All thanks to FromSoftware assigning Miyazaki to a failing project as a final Hail Mary.
![[REDACTED] Review (PS5) – Innovation Caught the Escape Pod Faster Than We Did](https://i2.wp.com/fwmedia.fandomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/05095712/redacted-review-768x432.jpg)
What’s Next for Miyazaki?
Are we heading toward anElden Ringsequel?Not exactly. There are currently no plans for it, and we haven’t even reached the release of the DLC yet.
Hidetaka Miyazaki already mentioned a long time ago thatDS3would be the final game in the series, so that’s out of the question.
Bloodborne Movie Reportedly Casting Bill Skarsgård as Lead Commits the Same Mistake as Michael Fassbender’s Assassin’s Creed
As if it’s not brought up enough, I’m bringing it up again. Where isBloodborne 2? TheBloodborneRemake? A 60FPS patch!?
Well, it’s not up to Miyazaki to decide, as Sony holds the IP hostage. But with news of a movie adaptation floating around, the idea of newBloodbornecontent riding on the movie’s coattails isn’t totally out of the realm of possibility.
What do you think Miyazaki’s next plans are? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
Vibha Hegde
Critic/Gaming Writer
Articles Published :594
Vibha is an avid gamer that has been writing about video games for several years. When they’re not complaining about the lack of a Bloodborne sequel or brushing up on the Yokoverse lore, Vibha is busy watching 3-hour video essays on horror games they’re too scared to play themselves.
