‘Total Co-op’ Could Be a Future for FromSoftware Games, Says President Miyazaki
FromSoftware president Hidetaka Miyazaki has expressed openness to the idea of incorporating a “total co-op” experience in future games. While Elden Ring’s co-op summoning system provides relief for players struggling with challenging bosses, it presents limitations that hinder a sustained co-op experience. With the defeat of an area boss or the unfortunate demise of a player, co-op partners are abruptly returned to their own worlds, and players are unable to ride their trusty steeds throughout the vast open world.
Fortunately, the modding community for Elden Ring on PC has created a seamless co-op mod that allows up to five players to embark on a uninterrupted journey from the tutorial to the conclusion of the game. By removing the usual restrictions on movement and preventing booting from the world due to boss defeats or player deaths, this mod significantly enhances the co-op experience beyond the game’s vanilla version.
In a recent interview with PC Gamer, Miyazaki expressed no opposition or displeasure towards the unsanctioned multiplayer overhaul and its growing popularity. He explained that while the focus for Elden Ring was on a more casual drop-in, defeat-a-boss, drop-out style of co-op, he acknowledged that players desire a more comprehensive, total co-op experience. Miyazaki hinted at the possibility of exploring such ideas in future games, much to the delight of the millions of players who have already embraced the unofficial mod.
As players anticipate the release of the first and only DLC for Elden Ring, titled Shadow of the Erdtree, Miyazaki’s comments have sparked excitement. The DLC promises to expand on the game’s story, introducing new enemies, bosses, weapons, and fighting styles. For players eager to dive into this new content, IGN has provided a comprehensive guide on how to prepare their tarnished warrior for the challenges that await.
With this newfound openness from FromSoftware, fans can look forward to the potential realization of a total co-op experience in future games, enhancing the thrill and camaraderie of these immersive worlds.
Additional relevant facts:
– FromSoftware is a Japanese video game developer known for creating highly challenging and critically acclaimed games such as the Dark Souls series, Bloodborne, and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice.
– Hidetaka Miyazaki, the president of FromSoftware, is considered a visionary game director and is highly regarded for his role in the creation of these games.
– FromSoftware’s games are known for their immersive and atmospheric worlds, intricate level design, and punishing difficulty.
– The modding community for FromSoftware games, including Elden Ring, is known for creating unofficial modifications that enhance gameplay and offer new features.
Important questions and answers:
1. What is “total co-op”?
Total co-op refers to a multiplayer gaming experience in which players can seamlessly join and remain in each other’s game worlds throughout the entire game, without limitations or disruptions.
2. What are the limitations of the co-op summoning system in Elden Ring?
In Elden Ring, the co-op summoning system currently restricts players to a temporary co-op session, ending either when the area boss is defeated or when a player dies. This prevents sustained co-op play and exploration of the game’s open world.
Key challenges or controversies:
1. The challenge of balancing difficulty: One potential challenge in implementing a total co-op experience in FromSoftware games is finding the right balance between accommodating multiple players and maintaining the challenging gameplay for which the studio is known. Ensuring that the experience remains challenging and rewarding for both solo and co-op players is crucial.
2. The impact on the game’s design and structure: Incorporating total co-op into FromSoftware games may require significant changes to the game’s design and structure. This includes rethinking level design, enemy encounters, and potential PvP interactions. Finding a way to seamlessly integrate co-op without compromising the intended experience can be a complex task.
Advantages:
– Enhanced multiplayer experience: A total co-op experience would allow players to fully explore and conquer the game’s world together, fostering camaraderie and teamwork.
– Extended replayability: The addition of total co-op could potentially extend the replay value of FromSoftware games, as players can revisit the game with friends and experience different strategies and playstyles.
Disadvantages:
– Potential impact on difficulty: Implementing total co-op may affect the difficulty curve and balance of the game, potentially making it easier than intended for players. Striking the right balance between challenge and accessibility is crucial.
– Development resources and time: Creating a seamless total co-op experience requires additional development resources and time, which may divert resources from other aspects of the game’s development.
Related links:
– FromSoftware Official Website
– PC Gamer
– IGN (main domain)
