In a rare in-depth interview, Hidetaka Miyazaki opens up about Elden Ring's enduring impact, the creative philosophy behind The Duskbloods, and FromSoftware's ambitious plans for entirely new original IPs.
As Elden Ring approaches its fourth anniversary since the launch of the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion, FromSoftware president and creative director Hidetaka Miyazaki has granted a rare and extensive interview reflecting on the game's remarkable legacy and what lies ahead for the legendary Japanese studio.
In the interview, Miyazaki expressed genuine surprise at the lasting appeal of Elden Ring. "We never expected the game to maintain such a vibrant community four years after its original release," he said. "Seeing players continue to discover new secrets, create their own challenges, and build communities around the game has been incredibly humbling for the entire team."
When asked about The Duskbloods, FromSoftware's upcoming 8-player PvPvE title exclusive to Nintendo Switch 2, Miyazaki elaborated on the creative vision behind this departure from the studio's traditional single-player formula. "The Duskbloods was born from our desire to explore multiplayer dynamics within the dark fantasy framework we've cultivated. It's not a direct competitor to Elden Ring, but rather a complementary experience that pushes our design philosophy into new territory."
Miyazaki also confirmed that the studio is actively exploring new original IPs beyond Elden Ring and The Duskbloods. "We have several ideas cooking in different stages of development," he revealed. "Some of these projects are led by younger directors within the studio, which I find very exciting. FromSoftware has always thrived on a balance of tradition and innovation, and our upcoming lineup reflects that philosophy."
The Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition for Nintendo Switch 2 remains on track for a fall 2026 release, bringing the complete Shadow of the Erdtree experience to Nintendo's new platform. According to Miyazaki, the port has been a technically challenging but rewarding endeavor. "The Switch 2 hardware has exceeded our expectations. The team has managed to maintain the visual fidelity and performance standards that players expect, which I must say is quite an achievement."
Regarding the future of the Elden Ring franchise, Miyazaki remained characteristically coy. "Elden Ring is a world that I believe has much more to offer. Whether we return to it through expansions, sequels, or entirely different formats—that's a conversation we're having internally. For now, our focus is on delivering the best possible experience with Tarnished Edition and The Duskbloods."
The full interview also touched on the studio's relationship with Nintendo, the challenges of developing cross-generational titles, and Miyazaki's thoughts on the current state of action-RPG design. It's clear that FromSoftware's creative well is far from running dry, and Elden Ring's legacy will continue to influence the industry for years to come.