FromSoftware's future: Miyazaki's next project after Elden Ring?

With the success and mainstream popularity of Elden Ring, it's undeniable that FromSoftware are larger than they ever have been. As of June 2024, the developer’s titular game has sold over 25 million copies worldwide, with its DLC Shadow of the Erdtree selling 5 million copies within 3 days of its release in June. These are numbers for a single game that FromSoftware have never come close to before. The question is, where do they go now after this massive success? 

Hidetaka Miyazaki, the visionary director behind Elden Ring and its predecessors Bloodborne and the Dark Souls trilogy, has said that it's likely he will hand over the responsibility of director to others for future projects. Thankfully, the president of the company has said that he will continue to direct his own projects, but has stressed the importance of nurturing young talent, and allowing them to proceed with their own vision on games they direct without him overseeing in a supervisory role.

This could indicate that FromSoftware intend to release games more regularly than they have before. Miyazaki has not shutdown the possibility of an Elden Ring sequel down the line but has said that there are currently no plans for one just yet. Maybe the Elden Ring series could be continued by another director whilst Miyazaki works on an entirely new IP. 

But what would I like to personally see from FromSoftware and Hidetaka Miyazaki? 

Across the next three posts, I am going to answer this question by covering what I believe to be the best aspects of Dark Souls, Bloodborne and Elden Ring. The final post in this series will tie up everything I have discussed and highlight the type or types of games I would like to see from Miyazaki and FromSoftware going forward.

References 

Kim, M. (2024) Two years after Elden Ring, Miyazaki trusts the players to figure it all out, IGN. Available at: https://www.ign.com/articles/elden-ring-shadow-of-erdtree-director-hidetaka-miyazaki-look-back-interview-profile  

Saltzman, M. (2024) Exclusive: Elden Ring director answers all of Our shadow of the erdtree dlc questions: IGN Fan Fest 2024, IGN. Available at: https://www.ign.com/articles/hidetaka-miyazaki-elden-ring-shadow-of-the-erdtree-interview