FromSoftware, led by director Hidetaka Miyazaki, has created an entire subgenre of gaming. The Tokyo-based studio’s Souls series, starting with Demon’s Souls in 2009, established a design philosophy built around challenging combat, cryptic storytelling, and interconnected world design that’s now widely imitated across the industry.
Dark Souls (2011) was the breakout hit that brought the formula to a global audience. Its punishing difficulty, rewarding exploration, and deep lore created a passionate community that dissected every detail. Dark Souls III, Bloodborne (a PlayStation exclusive), and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice (which won Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2019) all expanded and refined the approach.
Elden Ring, released in February 2022, was a collaboration with Game of Thrones author George R.R. Martin and became FromSoftware’s biggest commercial success. The open-world action RPG sold over 25 million copies in its first year, won every major Game of the Year award in 2022, and proved that the Souls formula could work in an open-world setting. The Shadow of the Erdtree DLC in 2024 was one of the highest-rated expansions ever released.
Founded in 1986 by Naotoshi Zin, FromSoftware spent its early years making mech games (Armored Core, King’s Field) before Miyazaki joined in 2004 and redirected the company’s creative vision. Sony and Tencent each acquired minority stakes in the company in 2022, valuing it at approximately $3.4 billion.
Despite its relatively small team of around 400 people, FromSoftware consistently produces games that influence the entire industry. The term “soulslike” has become a recognized genre descriptor used by developers and players worldwide.
