Elden Ring director Hidetaka Miyazaki is interested in developing a more traditional Japanese RPG, but if such a project does come to be, don’t expect it to be based on a select few past FromSoftware games.
The Dark Souls creator spoke about his desire to explore new gameplay styles during an interview with Rolling Stone. He explains he isn’t interested in leaving his own mark on many previous FromSoftware IP because series like Kings Field and Enchanted Arms are too connected to the work of other developers.
“I think a lot of these games are so intertwined with the directors who almost invented that style of game,” he said.
Miyazaki continued: “I don’t think there’s a scenario where I myself would make a King’s Field. The same can be said about Otogi and Enchanted Arms."
The one exception to this rule is the Armored Core series. Miyazaki served as a planner on Armored Core: Last Raven and chipped in for other games in the franchise, too. As a result, he feels equipped to potentially return to that universe.
"I worked on Armored Core 4 and Armored Core: For Answer," he added. "It enabled me to put my own interpretation on Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon and develop that.”
We'll have to wait to see if Miyazaki's vision for a traditional JRPG comes to fruition. Meanwhile, FromSoftware is beginning to roll out substantial Elden Ring DLC in the form of Shadow of the Erdtree. While the studio’s next project remains a mystery, the FromSoftware boss recently revealed that the world he co-created with George R.R. Martin isn’t quite his idea of an “ideal fantasy RPG.”
"While Elden Ring is not quite it, it's pretty close,” he said at the time. “It's getting close."
For more, be sure to read up on how the team might introduce new co-op elements to future titles. You can also read our interview with Miyazaki, where we learned more about the world of Elden Ring and how the DLC expands on an already fantastic formula. Don't forget to check out our Shadow of the Erdtree review, too. Just like the original Elden Ring experience, we gave the add-on content a 10/10.
Michael Cripe is a freelance contributor with IGN. He started writing in the industry in 2017 and is best known for his work at outlets such as The Pitch, The Escapist, OnlySP, and Gameranx.
Be sure to give him a follow on Twitter @MikeCripe.
