Katsuhiro Harada recounts a touching exchange where Hidetaka Miyazaki humbly downplayed his own game knowledge, offering a rare glimpse into the Elden Ring director's modest character.
A surprising and heartwarming story has emerged from the Japanese gaming industry, offering players a rare glimpse into the personality of Hidetaka Miyazaki, the legendary director behind Elden Ring and the entire Soulsborne genre. Tekken series producer Katsuhiro Harada recently shared an anecdote in which Miyazaki reportedly described his own understanding of video games as "shallow."
According to Harada, who recounted the story during a recent interview, the comment came during a private conversation between the two industry titans. Despite having directed multiple Game of the Year winners and crafting some of the most influential game design systems in modern history, Miyazaki expressed genuine humility about his knowledge of the medium.
"He said something along the lines of 'I feel like my understanding of games is quite shallow,'" Harada recalled. "It was remarkable to hear from someone who has shaped the action RPG genre so profoundly. I told him directly, 'That's not true at all — your games have inspired millions.'"
Harada elaborated that Miyazaki's modesty is not an act but a genuine trait that those who work closely with FromSoftware have come to recognize. The Tekken producer noted that many of the industry's most innovative creators share this tendency to downplay their achievements, but that Miyazaki's case stands out because of the sheer impact his games have had on the global gaming landscape.
The story quickly spread across social media, with Elden Ring fans expressing renewed admiration for the director. Many noted that Miyazaki's humility likely contributes to his willingness to iterate, experiment, and take creative risks — qualities that have defined FromSoftware's recent output including Elden Ring: Nightreign and the upcoming Tarnished Edition for Nintendo Switch 2.
FromSoftware's parent company Kadokawa has maintained that Miyazaki continues to have significant creative autonomy over the studio's projects. Despite recent investor pressure to focus on sequels and established IPs, Miyazaki has publicly stated his commitment to pursuing new creative directions, and this glimpse into his humble mindset helps explain why.
"People who think they already know everything don't push boundaries," one industry analyst commented. "Miyazaki's self-described 'shallow' understanding is exactly what allows him to approach game design from fresh angles — he's never satisfied with what he already knows."
As the Elden Ring community eagerly awaits the Tarnished Edition launch for Switch 2 and continues to enjoy Nightreign's thriving post-Patch 1.5 ecosystem, stories like this one only deepen the appreciation fans have for the developer behind their favorite worlds. For more Elden Ring coverage and guides, explore our complete Elden Ring guide section.