Khalifa Jayy
Banned
Solid read over at IGN. Having not known any of their other titles besides the Souls series and BB, it was very educating for me.
http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/03/16/the-history-of-from-software?page=1
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Of particular note for me is the bolded text above. FROM is no longer seemingly producing "niche" titles. The rise of the "die until you master/learn to win" -styled indie games and the Souls games are definitely something to behold. I know older games used to be like this, but somewhere along the way, copious amounts of checkpoints and "save anywhere" games began to take over, it feels like. It feels like a mini-renaissance is occuring where the "masochist," if you will, type of game is making a comeback. FROM seems to be spearheading the movement with their titles.
So... Where to next?
Are they as big and popular as Naughty Dog, for example? Maybe not. But it seems like a lot of people are giving their games more and more attention, and Bloodborne's critically acclaimed release is only bringing them more into the spotlight. I guess the question then becomes: What's next? Though I guess that would be anyone's guess, really. Can the Souls-style genre keep innovating with yet another entry? Is there room for another release of a similar styled game in the next two years or so? Where do you see FROM going to next?
http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/03/16/the-history-of-from-software?page=1
From Software is hard to escape these days. The studio is well-known as the developers of the beloved and challenging Dark Souls, Demon’s Souls, and the upcoming Bloodborne. They’ve elevated From Software from mere cult status to the brink of game-industry stardom, and the developer’s rise did not go unnoticed. Last May, the massive Kadokawa Corporation acquired From as part of their expanding video-game empire.
Yet From Software crafted games long before Demon’s Souls thrust them into the limelight. The company’s history runs through the very first PlayStation RPGs, stealth-fueled ninja series, rabbit-themed puzzle games, and a wealth of giant robots. Even now, as Bloodborne looms and dominates From’s image, there’s more to the company.
“King's Field refused to take it easy on players—a tactic that From Software would maintain decades later."
As Bloodborne nears and From Software grows more and more devoted to the descendants of Demon’s Souls, some may lament the developer’s new focus. There doesn’t seem to be room in From’s current schedule for anything but Souls games and Armored Core, plus the occasional anime license. Yet a look through From’s history reveals a company willing to innovate precisely when a safe bet was in hand; the early success of King’s Field led to Armored Core, and the stability of Armored Core led back to Demon’s Souls. It may not be long before From Software tries something new once again.
_____________________________________
Of particular note for me is the bolded text above. FROM is no longer seemingly producing "niche" titles. The rise of the "die until you master/learn to win" -styled indie games and the Souls games are definitely something to behold. I know older games used to be like this, but somewhere along the way, copious amounts of checkpoints and "save anywhere" games began to take over, it feels like. It feels like a mini-renaissance is occuring where the "masochist," if you will, type of game is making a comeback. FROM seems to be spearheading the movement with their titles.
So... Where to next?
Are they as big and popular as Naughty Dog, for example? Maybe not. But it seems like a lot of people are giving their games more and more attention, and Bloodborne's critically acclaimed release is only bringing them more into the spotlight. I guess the question then becomes: What's next? Though I guess that would be anyone's guess, really. Can the Souls-style genre keep innovating with yet another entry? Is there room for another release of a similar styled game in the next two years or so? Where do you see FROM going to next?