From Software President Hidetaka Miyazaki on Elden Ring: “I Absolutely Suck at Video Games”

Hidetaka Miyazaki, the mastermind behind Elden Ring and president of FromSoftware, has candidly confessed to struggling with video games, including his own creations.

In a surprising revelation, Miyazaki admitted he rarely plays his games post-release due to the fear of discovering flaws or unfinished elements. This insight came during an interview with The Guardian, ahead of the June 21 release of the highly anticipated Elden Ring DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree.

Miyazaki explained that while he is heavily involved in gameplay during development, his engagement drops significantly after a game’s release.

“Leading up to the release of any game, I’ll be very hands-on playing it and getting as much time on it as possible,” he said. “But after the release, I tend to not want to touch it, because I know I’m going to either find things that I left on the table or issues that will bug me.”

Despite this reluctance, Miyazaki completed Elden Ring’s main story in preparation for Shadow of the Erdtree.

He acknowledged his self-perceived lack of skill, stating, “I want to preface this by saying I absolutely suck at video games, so my approach or play style was to use everything I have at my disposal, all the assistance, every scrap of aid that the game offers, and also all the knowledge that I have as the architect of the game.” He added that the open-world nature of Elden Ring made it more accessible, a feature he personally benefited from as a player.

The difficulty of FromSoftware’s games is well-known, and Shadow of the Erdtree is no exception. Miyazaki admitted the new DLC “pushed the envelope in terms of what we think can be withstood by the player.” Despite endorsing the use of guides and unofficial mods, many players continue to struggle with the expansion.

This has led to the creation of various mods aimed at easing the challenge, along with an official update that recalibrated the DLC’s upgrade system to make the early sections more manageable.

In a remarkable achievement, Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree has sold 5 million units worldwide within three days of its release. This milestone reflects the immense support from fans globally, to whom Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc. and FromSoftware, Inc. expressed their heartfelt gratitude.

The expansion invites players to explore the Realm of Shadow, filled with mysteries, dangers, and formidable bosses. With new spells, weapons, and armor, players can tailor their builds to overcome the game’s challenges in their unique style.

As fans continue to immerse themselves in the dark and captivating world of Elden Ring, Miyazaki’s humble admission serves as a reminder of the inclusive nature of gaming. Whether you’re a seasoned player or someone who “sucks at video games,” the journey through the Land of Shadow offers an experience rich in adventure and discovery.

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