As parent company investors pressure FromSoftware to focus on established IPs for risk reduction, studio president Hidetaka Miyazaki reaffirms his commitment to creative freedom.
FromSoftware, the renowned developer behind Elden Ring and Dark Souls, has built its reputation on bold innovation and creative risk-taking. However, reports indicate that some investors of parent company Kadokawa Corporation are pushing the studio to rely more heavily on sequels and established IPs to reduce risk and improve financial performance.
In an interview with Japanese media outlet Den Faminico Gamer, Hidetaka Miyazaki addressed these reports directly. "Regarding the issue you mentioned, I am aware of what has been publicly reported. However, since it involves many stakeholders, we do not have more details, making it difficult to comment in depth," he said. "What follows is solely my personal opinion and does not represent the company's position."
Miyazaki emphasized that he is generally satisfied with FromSoftware's current development environment. "While there is always room for improvement, we are able to create the games we want to make without excessive interference," he stated. He believes one of the most important things going forward is maintaining an environment where the team can focus as much as possible on game development itself.
"This is crucial — both for me personally and for FromSoftware as a whole," Miyazaki added. "I believe it is precisely this development environment that has enabled us to create the works we have today."
In a message to fans, Miyazaki made a commitment: "If players can see this message, we want to tell you that from now on, we will work harder than ever to continue creating games of real value. Whether it's projects already announced or new ones yet to be revealed, we hope you will look forward to them."
This comes at a time when FromSoftware is juggling multiple major projects, including the Elden Ring Tarnished Edition for Switch 2, the mysterious The Duskbloods multiplayer title, and several unannounced projects. The tension between investor expectations for proven IP revenue and Miyazaki's vision for creative exploration represents a defining moment for the studio's future direction.
For Elden Ring fans, Miyazaki's stance is reassuring — the creative forces behind the Lands Between remain committed to originality and quality, even as corporate pressures mount.