Overview of FromSoftware and Sony’s Evolving Relationship
- FromSoftware opted for Bandai Namco to publish Dark Souls, influenced by Sony’s previous handling of Demon’s Souls.
- Despite earlier tensions, mutual respect has grown between FromSoftware and Sony, particularly concerning Bloodborne.
- Uncertainty continues regarding a potential Bloodborne rerelease or new collaboration, with Sony’s intentions remaining ambiguous.
Former Sony executive Shuhei Yoshida recently shed light on FromSoftware’s pivotal choice to partner with Bandai Namco for the publication of Dark Souls. This decision stemmed from discontentment with how Sony managed Demon’s Souls. Even though there have been varying partnerships between FromSoftware and Sony, the early challenges in their relationship served as crucial learning experiences for both parties.
Many gaming enthusiasts find the connection between FromSoftware and Sony captivating. Titles such as “Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice”and “Bloodborne, ”developed through their collaboration, achieved monumental success. Yet, there seems to be hesitancy from both sides regarding deeper partnerships. Yoshida’s insights into the behind-the-scenes negotiations shed valuable light on the complexities of their professional rapport.
In an interview featured on the Sacred Symbols podcast, Yoshida explained how Sony’s approach to Demon’s Souls influenced FromSoftware’s decision-making. Although Sony had intentions of collaborating on what would become Dark Souls, its prior treatment of the developer’s work led to the choice of Bandai Namco as their next partner.
The Impact of Demon’s Souls on FromSoftware’s Direction
FromSoftware didn’t want Sony to publish Dark Souls as it was ‘disappointed’ by how Demon’s Souls was treated by u/ReaddittiddeR in gaming
Demon’s Souls was first published by Atlus in North America and Bandai Namco in Europe after initial playtests with Sony. Yoshida has recounted his own experience with the game, noting that his first couple of hours were spent struggling at the start, leading him to perceive it as “unbelievably bad.”In retrospect, he expressed regret regarding Sony’s early decisions and acknowledged the game’s western publishers for supporting a title that later received acclaim.
Despite these earlier tensions, Yoshida emphasized that Sony maintains a “huge respect”for FromSoftware, particularly regarding Bloodborne, which is often considered one of Hidetaka Miyazaki’s masterpieces. This has led to speculation among gamers about the potential for future collaborations. Although the closure of Japan Studio has brought uncertainties, Sony maintains rights to Bloodborne, which many believe means a rerelease could be forthcoming. Recent references to Bloodborne in PlayStation’s 30th-anniversary video hint at the possibility of new projects, but optimism varies among fans. What remains clear is the noticeable improvement in the relationship between Sony and FromSoftware over the years.
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