Japanese developer FromSoftware’s most ambitious title to date,Elden Ringwas met with near-universal praise when it debuted in February, and, according to UK sales metrics, it’s one of the most successful non-Call of DutyorFIFAgame launches since Rockstar’sRed Dead Redemption 2in 2018. That said, according to a new interview in Famitsu magazine, director Hidetaka Miyazaki was nervous as ever forElden Ring’s debut.
First and foremost, Miyazaki, who assumed the role of President of FromSoftware in 2015, stated that game releases are often “unpleasant” for him regardless of the circumstance, though he was ultimately relieved by the result. He went on to commend his staff for their role in the development process and talked at length about fantasy novelistGeorge R. R. Martin’s influence on the lore and story ofElden Ringin its earliest stages.
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Though he wasn’t precisely clear on what Martin contributed, Miyazaki intimates that the writer helped to construct overarching ideas that eventually manifested in crucial plot points like the shattering of theElden Ringand the presence of the Erdetree. While many plot elements such as a curse of undeath and an unbalanced world fallen to ruin were seen in previous FromSoftware efforts likeDemon’s SoulsandDark Souls,Elden Ring’s lore, much like its world, is sprawling, multifaceted, and the clear result of a collective effort.Martin had previously praised FromSoftware’s work onElden Ringin a 2021 interview.
Miyazaki also commented on the experience of simultaneously directingElden Ringand 2019’sSekiro: Shadows Die Twice, revealing that, while the feedback regarding their previous effort wasn’t a major factor inElden Ring’s development, the two were indeed developed in tandem, and inspiration from one eventually influenced the other. Be that a reference to thestealth mechanics added toElden Ring’s combat systemor a reference to the Samurai starting class, there’s nevertheless an indelible connection between the two.
Hype surroundingElden Ringbegan to build when the title was first revealed in 2019, and, after months upon months of ensuing silence from the developer, interest in details regarding the game reached a fever pitch.Miyazaki himself expressed a desire in 2016 to one day surpass theSoulsseries, further fueling anticipation for FromSoftware’s next genuineSouls-esque effort.Elden Ringcertainly had some lofty expectations to live up to, and, despite the director’s unease, the game seems to have, in the minds of many players, delivered in every aspect.
Elden Ringis available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
