Beyond the “Soulslike” Label: How FromSoftware Avoids Creative Stagnation
While the global gaming community often categorizes FromSoftware’s catalog-from the seminal Dark Souls series to their latest ventures-by their notorious difficulty, studio president Hidetaka Miyazaki suggests that this reputation is merely a byproduct of their process, not the goal itself. In a candid discussion with The Guardian, Miyazaki emphasized that the studio’s primary objective is to pursue creative curiosity rather than following a rigid development blueprint.
Prioritizing Innovation Over Established Formulas
As anticipation builds for the upcoming release of The Duskbloods, questions regarding the studio’s long-term trajectory have surfaced. Miyazaki remains characteristically guarded about future projects, yet he provided insight into the studio’s internal philosophy. For FromSoftware, the secret to maintaining high-quality output lies in avoiding the “template trap.” By refusing to rely on a standardized development formula, the team ensures that each title feels distinct, preventing the creative fatigue that often plagues long-running franchises.
To put this into perspective, consider the evolution of the industry: many AAA studios rely on “sequel-itis,” where mechanics are recycled for a decade to minimize financial risk. In contrast, FromSoftware’s approach is more akin to an experimental laboratory. Just as a chef might abandon a signature dish to master a new cuisine, Miyazaki’s team prioritizes the excitement of discovery over the safety of a proven hit.
The Philosophy of “Interest First”
Miyazaki explicitly rejected the idea that there is a singular “FromSoftware mantra” governing their design choices. He noted that adopting a strict set of rules would inevitably lead to a conservative, stale output. According to the director, the moment a studio begins to prioritize “how we usually do things” over “what is genuinely exciting,” the magic of game development begins to fade.
“There’s no intentional FromSoftware [mantra] – ‘this is the way we make our games’ – because if you start to do that it becomes stale and conservative, and you start having to adhere to a set of rules and philosophies, and it just doesn’t become interesting; you can’t make anything that’s as fun. So I feel like at least what’s worked for us philosophically is trying to adhere to what we find interesting first,” Miyazaki explained.
This commitment to novelty is likely why the studio has maintained such a high critical standing, with their recent titles consistently achieving Metacritic scores in the 90s. By focusing on what sparks their own passion, FromSoftware continues to challenge the industry standard, proving that creative freedom is the most effective tool for longevity.
