Elden Ring has undeniably been a massive success for FromSoftware, and its new DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree, is set to continue this trend. Despite this, studio president Hidetaka Miyazaki maintains a cautious approach to future projects, emphasizing a “conservative forecast” rather than assuming future hits.
In an interview with The Guardian, Miyazaki shared insights into the studio’s strategy, which contrasts sharply with the growth-driven approaches of many large companies. “Elden Ring was in a league of its own in terms of the success and critical acclaim that it has seen, but what we try to do as a company is never assume that will happen again with our future games,” Miyazaki said.
This conservative outlook has proven beneficial for FromSoftware, providing “room to fail,” which Miyazaki believes leads to “better games and better decisions.” This philosophy has allowed the studio to focus on quality without the pressure of replicating past successes.
A recent example of this strategy in action is the release of Armored Core 6, which launched between Elden Ring and its DLC. Despite being a departure from the dark fantasy genre that FromSoftware is renowned for, Armored Core 6 sold over 3 million copies. This success demonstrates that FromSoftware can still thrive with projects that don’t match the monumental success of Elden Ring.
Miyazaki also addressed the issue of layoffs, a trend seen in many large gaming companies. He emphasized that such layoffs are something he “would not let happen” at FromSoftware, echoing the sentiments of the late Nintendo President Satoru Iwata, who believed that job security fosters creativity.
As Elden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree prepares to launch, it’s clear that FromSoftware’s conservative yet quality-focused approach will continue to guide their projects. This strategy not only ensures the production of high-caliber games but also secures the studio’s stability in an unpredictable industry.
