Conquering the Virtual: The Epic of FromSoftware in Japanese Society

FromSoftware, founded on November 1, 1986, began developing productivity software before entering the video game industry in 1994 with the release of King’s Field for the PlayStation. Despite this game’s absence in North America, a sequel, King’s Field II, was released in 1995 under that name in North America. The company later expanded its repertoire with titles such as Echo Night and Shadow Tower in 1998, the latter considered a spiritual sequel to King’s Field.

When the PlayStation 2 launched in 2000, FromSoftware continued to support the platform with RPGs such as Eternal Ring and Evergrace. The company has also produced sequels for its PlayStation 1 offerings, including King’s Field IV and Shadow Tower Abyss. During this period, FromSoftware diversified its catalog focusing on mechanical games, particularly with the success of the Armored Core series.

In 2014, FromSoftware was acquired by the Kadokawa Corporation, with Hidetaka Miyazaki, creator of Demon’s Souls and Dark Souls, becoming president of the studio. In 2016, the company expanded its reach by opening a new studio in Fukuoka focused on creating computer-generated imagery (CGI) assets.

In August 2022, Tencent Sixjoy and Sony Interactive Entertainment jointly acquired 30.34% of FromSoftware, while Kadokawa Corporation remains the majority shareholder with 69.66% stake. Despite these changes, Hidetaka Miyazaki continues to play a vital role as president of the studio, continuing to create new games while expanding FromSoftware’s impact in the video game industry.

• The main games

FromSoftware is renowned for its challenging, narratively rich games that are often imbued with a dark and mysterious atmosphere. Here are some of their main games that have left their mark on the video game industry:

1. Elden Ring (2022): The game has enjoyed exceptional reception from both a critical and commercial point of view, winning several distinctions, including the prestigious title of Game of the ‘Year at the Game Awards 2022. In less than a year since its release, it has sold more than 20 million copies, marking a resounding success on the market.
2. Demon’s Souls (2009): Considered the precursor to the Souls series, Demon’s Souls established FromSoftware’s reputation for difficulty and immersive exploration of fantasy worlds.
3. Dark Souls (2011): An acclaimed role-playing game that solidified the formula introduced by Demon’s Souls, with demanding combat, interconnected environments, and an obscure story told through subtle clues .
4. Bloodborne (2015): Immersing players in a Victorian Gothic universe, Bloodborne made dynamic changes to Souls gameplay by encouraging aggression and introducing a faster-paced combat system.
5. /li>
6. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice (2019): Award-winning, Sekiro offers a change of perspective with a combat system focused on action and infiltration, while maintaining the difficulty level characteristic of FromSoftware games.
7. Dark Souls II (2014) and Dark Souls III (2016): These two games expanded and perfected the Dark Souls formula, bringing new mechanics, worlds extensive and increasingly complex challenges.
8. Armored Core Series (1997-2013): This series of mecha games, beginning on the first PlayStation, is a notable departure from the aesthetic of the Souls games, emphasizing combat of customizable robots.
9. King’s Field Series (1994-2001): FromSoftware’s very first game, King’s Field, marked the beginning of their adventure in video games. The series has evolved over the years, with first-person RPGs.
10. Shadow Tower (1998): Often considered a spiritual successor to King’s Field, Shadow Tower has been praised for its similar gameplay conventions and immersive atmosphere.

These games have helped forge FromSoftware’s distinctive identity in the video game industry, attracting millions of players around the world with their innovative approach and captivating worlds.