The Misleading Words of Hidetaka Miyazaki: An Analysis of FromSoftware’s Game Descriptions

FromSoftware’s creative director and studio boss, Hidetaka Miyazaki, has developed a reputation for making misleading statements about the company’s games. In an interview with Eurogamer, Miyazaki described the success of the Souls games as simply, “Players seem to enjoy our games.” This statement downplays the enormous impact that the Souls series has had on the gaming industry, redefining genres and inspiring a whole new category of games known as Soulslikes.

Inaccurate Estimates

Miyazaki’s tendency to underestimate the scale and complexity of FromSoftware’s games is evident in his description of the forthcoming Elden Ring DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree. In an interview with IGN, Miyazaki claimed that the DLC’s main area, the Land of Shadow, is comparable in size to the base game’s opening area, Limgrave, “if not larger.” However, this comparison is vague and fails to provide a clear understanding of the actual scale of the Land of Shadow.

Another example of Miyazaki’s misleading statements can be seen in his estimation of the time it takes to complete Elden Ring. Miyazaki suggested that the game could be beaten in around 30 hours without taking any “detours.” However, many players have reported that their first playthroughs of Elden Ring took significantly longer, some even exceeding 100 hours. This raises questions about the accuracy of Miyazaki’s claims and highlights his tendency to exaggerate the simplicity of FromSoftware’s games.

While Miyazaki’s statements may be intended to generate excitement and hype around FromSoftware’s games, they ultimately create unrealistic expectations for players. By misrepresenting the size, complexity, and length of their games, Miyazaki is setting players up for disappointment when they discover the true extent of the challenges and content awaiting them.

Hidetaka Miyazaki’s habit of making misleading statements about FromSoftware’s games undermines the integrity of the company’s reputation and creates false impressions for players. It is important for players to approach Miyazaki’s claims with skepticism and to form their own opinions based on their experiences with FromSoftware’s games. Ultimately, it is up to each individual player to determine the true scope and scale of FromSoftware’s creations, rather than relying on Miyazaki’s exaggerated descriptions.