2023-08-25 10:02:18
Having become one of the major Japanese developers in the current video game landscape, the studio has had a rather unique history.
Long before becoming the flagship developer so beloved by the general public, From Software had an amazing journey, first as a company and then as a developer. Almost 30 years back, far from Dark Souls and others Elder Ring, lightning success and creators of a genre in which many studios will rush, the beginnings were very modest. The upcoming release ofArmored Core VI: Fires of Rubiconnext August 25, is an opportunity for a flashback.
In 1986, Naotoshi Zin founded a company intended to publish professional office software in Tokyo, in the very lively district of Shibuya. Until 1994, this future publisher of cult games therefore only published professional utilities, before succumbing to the appeal of video games, reinforced by the forthcoming release of the very first PlayStation. The arrival of the Sony console indeed opens the door to a whole fringe of aspiring developers, mainly in Japan, the manufacturer providing tools to facilitate the handling of its console and its entrails.
The very first PlayStation attracted new talent thanks to a library of tools (only in Japanese) facilitating development.©Labo Fnac
The presence of a CD-Rom reader and the possibilities offered by 3D gave From Software the idea of taking an interest in a rather Western genre, the C-RPG (“C” for computer), i.e. say the ancient role-playing games on PC, foreshadowing not only modern video games, but also FPS. A logical first step for a company formerly specialized in utilities, in short. Especially since the launch catalog of the first PlayStation has a major gap with the absence of role-playing games within it, a real anomaly for a Japanese console.
Opportunistic, but founding
Opportunity knocks, and From Software therefore offers its first production, King’s Field, just less than two weeks following the release of the machine. The major influence on this title comes from Wizardryfigure of the western RPG in the 1980s. Produced by the historical president, Naotoshi Zin, King’s Field not only taps into this obvious source of inspiration, but is already creating the mainstays of cult titles to come.
Melee attack and magic emptying a common stamina bar, medieval fantasy universe and high difficulty indeed make the title a curiosity at its launch. The novelty is often frightening, the reception of the press and the public is rather mixed. However, some die-hard fans immediately praise the qualities of this game, which is rather slow, demanding and not really brilliant graphically. Japanese sales allow the new publisher to export its second part, renamed King’s Field simply in the United States, like a certain Final Fantasy in his days.
From heroic to robotics
Having crossed the Pacific allowed King’s Field to reach an audience more accustomed to Western RPGs and their codes. Without knowing there either a success at the height of the tenors of the role-playing game of the time, King’s Field forged a reputation with a loyal community throughout his career. But, following a third episode, From Software decides to diversify by completely changing the universe with a new license: Armored Core. Exit the catacombs full of skeletons, hello the “mechas”, these overpowered robots with interchangeable equipment, in environments once more all in 3D.
Much more in tune with the expectations of the Japanese public, Armored Core was a great success when it was released in 1997. Its innovative nature, with very advanced customization of gear, the size of the universes offered and certain particularities, such as local network multiplayer with the PlayStation link cable, make the license a great success. So much so that the mechs overshadow King’s Field, which, if continued, is no longer From Software’s headliner. However, thanks to the giant robots, the primary values of the Software publisher will experience an astonishing return to the fore.
From “dull” to leader
In 2001, a young account manager working in the Japanese subsidiary of the American company Oracle was bored. A friend then introduces him to the game Ico on PlayStation 2, Fumito Ueda’s masterpiece. The click is immediate. It immediately makes Hidetaka Miyazaki want to join this industry. Inexperienced, aged 29, he is surprised to see the doors of From Software open and to be able to participate in the development ofArmored Core Last Raven in 2004. Adapting very quickly to his new favorite field, he became director of the next two parts. However, it is not in this robotic series that Miyazaki will find material to flourish.
When the editor evokes internally an action RPG project in a universe of heroic fantasy, Miyazaki jumps at the chance. Attempts in the field, since the golden years of King’s Field, have often been critical failures, commercial failures, or both. And, quickly, this new project is singled out, in turn, as a potential future failure. A label that gives free rein to Miyazaki, who goes to the end of the ideas of his concept, giving birth to Demon Souls. The critical and public reception is initially icy, confirming the idea of an expected flop at From Software…
Time bomb
Surprisingly, it was only a few weeks following its launch that Demon Souls reveals its full potential. The pillars once imagined by Naotoshi Zin, reinforced by the enlightened vision of a precursor Hidetaka Miyazaki, in whose imagination players can interact in multiple ways within a universe with abundant environmental narrative, hit the mark.
The beginning of a much better known success story, during which the creator will become president of From Software. Above all, it will give birth to masterpieces such as Dark Soulsits spiritual successor, the spin-off Bloodborne or, more recently Elden Ringone of the games of the year 2022. As a wink, the release ofArmored Core VIon August 25, proves that the “new” president has not forgotten this license which is so decisive for him and for his company.
A log
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