Japanese video game developer FromSoftware has skyrocketed in success thanks to its current president, Hidetaka Miyazaki, and the popularity of theDark Soulsseries. Now that gaming is gearing toward next-generation consoles, FromSoftware is in the midst of developing its most ambitious game yet. Announced way back at the 2019 E3 conference,Elden Ringhas been the next highly-anticipated title by FromSoftware. So far, fans have really only had the announcement trailer to tide them over during the long wait forElden Ring.
However, fans have been able to glean tidbits of information here and there about the project. Right from the start, it was billed as a collaboration between FromSoftware’s Hidetaka Miyazaki, as well as George R.R. Martin ofGame of Thronesfame.Elden Ringwill also be more similar to theDark Soulsgames than the studio’s recentSekiro: Shadows Die Twice. ThoughSekirowas well-received by many, it was a departure from the familiarity of theSoulsgames. Even though it is clear thatFromSoftware is being very secretive withElden Ring, fans can rest assured that the developer has assembled the perfect team to create a new dark fantasy game.
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Elden Ring’s Game Director: Hidetaka Miyazaki
First up isElden Ring’s director, Hidetaka Miyazaki. While Miyazaki is the current president of FromSoftware, he had humble beginnings. He originally joined the company in 2004 as a game planner forArmored Core: Last Raven, and went on to directArmored Core 4and its sequel,Armored Core: For Answer. TheArmored Coreseries is primarily about gigantic mech battles, but helped solidify Miyazaki’s place within FromSoftware.Armored Core 4also had instances of online play, something that would be seen again in the laterSoulsgames. While these early games of Miyazaki’s havea sci-fi setting, they no doubt gave him the experience needed to create the iconicDemon’s Souls.
Miyazaki was able to take a formerly failing project calledDemon’s Soulsand turn it into a success, which has now been remade so that players can experienceDemon’s Soulson the PS5. The original game didn’t have a direct sequel, but Miyazaki went on to create its spiritual successor inDark Souls, which was so successful that he was promoted to company president. Under Miyazaki’s direction, a whole new genre of high-difficulty, dark fantasy games bloomed. His work on theSoulsseries led to many viewing him as an auteur of video games, andDark Soulshas gone on to inspire numerous other games around today.
Outside of the universe ofDark Souls, Miyazaki directed bothBloodborneandSekiro: Shadows Die Twice. Both of these games expanded on the familiar combat and gameplay in theSoulsseries in new ways, withBloodborneoffering a dark Victorian atmosphere, andSekirotaking inspiration from Japanese history. Additionally, Miyazaki also directed a 2018 VR game calledDeracine.This VR title put players in the role of a faerie trying to solve a mystery at a boarding school, and features darker themes.
All of this experience together positions Hidetaka Miyazaki as a perfect director for a new dark fantasy RPG. If the popularity around FromSoftware’s other titles are anything to go by, then players are clamoring for even more from the influential game director. His previous games are rife with heavy themes, grimdark ideologies, andworlds with grandiose histories and lore. Even thoughElden Ring’s director has stated he doesn’t dislike direct storytelling, he prefers to let players interpret the world through flavor text and other indirect methods. Miyazaki has a knack for creating intriguing worlds this way, something which will likely continue inElden Ring.
Elden Ring’s Lore: George R. R. Martin
WhenElden Ringwas in its concept stages, Miyazaki had the opportunity to reach out to another master storyteller, George R. R. Martin, of whom he was a fan.Martin’s involvement inElden Ringis no small feat. After open discussions between Miyazaki and Martin, the story ofElden Ringwas created, and Martin was mainly tasked with creating the history and lore of its world. The mythos created would be used to support the story of the actual game, and will likely be the set up for everything that takes place before the game starts. As the trailer suggests, an artifact known as the Elden Ring was destroyed, which will no doubt play a major role in the plot.
George R. R. Martin is another perfect choice to create a new dark fantasy game. Though he is most known for his work writing theA Song of Ice and Firesaga, Martin was actually a prolific writer long before the series took off, and has been since. He has written novels, short stories, television scripts, and films in a variety of genres. Fantasy, horror, and science fiction are Martin’s bread and butter. For example, he wrote a few episodes ofThe Twilight Zonein 1986, and in 1987 published a collection of horror short stories inPortraits of His Children. For the epic fantasy series that first began withGames of Thronesin 1996, Martin has written dozens of stories within the world, which have spawned multiple adaptations of the franchise.
One ofMiyazaki’s favorite books from George R. R. Martinis a big reason that FromSoftware sought out the author’s involvement. In 1983, Martin wroteFevre Dream, a vampire novel set on the Mississippi River in the 19th century. Miyazaki, like many other critics, callsFevre Dreama masterpiece of vampire literature. Of course, FromSoftware’s president also loves theASong of Ice and Firebooks, which prove that Martin is not only a exemplary writer, but also a fantastic worldbuilder. Throughout Martin’s career, he has won dozens of awards for his writing, and been nominated for numerous more.
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Since George R. R. Martin is so familiar with fantasy and horror, he is a perfect fit for a game that takes after theSoulsseries. Martin has often been credited with the rise of grimdark fantasy, so there is no doubt that he can transfer the genre into a video game world. Martin has been called a master of worldbuilding, and if various leaks are anything to go by,Elden Ringmay also incorporate some Celtic and Norse mythological inspirations. Because of the nature of video game development and collaboration,Elden Ringwon’t be anotherWinds of Winterscenario, so fans won’t have to wait an unknowable amount of time to experience the story.
Elden Ring’s Composer: Yuka Kitamura
The final major player inElden Ring’s dream team is none other than Yuka Kitamura. She has a long history of composing FromSoftware games, and will bereturning to compose forElden Ring. Kitamura’s complete list of FromSoftware composition credits includeArmored Core: Verdict Day,Dark Souls 2, Dark Souls 3, Bloodborne,Deracine, andSekiro: Shadows Die Twice.Like Miyazaki, she joined FromSoftware to work on theArmored Coreseries, but soon became a regular feature in its games.
While Kitamura may not be a household name like George R. R. Martin, she is highly talented and has helped elevate FromSoftware’s games to new heights. Think of all the times someone has brought up theepic experience of a boss fightinDark SoulsorBloodbornewith the backing soundtrack. Well, Kitamura was likely behind it. She has crafted the main theme forDark Souls 3, and created several haunting themes for bosses, like with “Ludwig, The Accursed & Holy Blade,” or “Rom, The Vacuous Spider.” Kitamura knows how to mesh grandiose orchestrations with overpowering choral moments to create an unforgettable experience.
While Yuko Kitamura’s work on games likeDark Souls 3andBloodborneshow she can clearly craft dark fantasy orchestrations, her work on other games likeDeracineandSekiroshowcase her versatility. While Kitamura has created calmer themes and more ambient pieces forSoulsgames, her lilting music box and piano usage inDeracinetracks like “Concert With the Faerie” proves she can make softer themes as well. Especially withSekiro,which was a whole new thematic environment, Kitamura had to experiment will new instruments and compositions. She didn’t want to create just a Japanese-flavored take on her style, and was able to create a unique soundtrack as a result.
Overall, with these three creators at the helm ofElden Ring, players are surely in for a treat. Players will be able to experience engaging gameplay directed by Hidetaka Miyazaki, invest in intriguing lore written by George R. R. Martin, and listen to dramatic orchestrations composed by Yuka Kitamura. With all of their combined experience in the fantasy genre,Elden Ringwill likely be able to hit all the right notes for players. Thehype surroundingElden Ringis massive, so hopefully it can meet players' expectations. More news will likely come soon, but fans will have to sit tight until then.
Elden Ringis in development.
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