FromSoftware Confirms It’s Not Abandoning Single-Player Games Despite PvPvE Shift With The Duskbloods

FromSoftware, the critically acclaimed studio behind the “Soulsborne” series—including Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and Elden Ring—has long been known for its single-player, narrative-driven, and notoriously challenging action RPGs. These titles are celebrated for their intricate world-building, atmospheric exploration, and minimal handholding.

But the studio's newly announced project, The Duskbloods, marks a notable departure. Unveiled during the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, the game is a PvPvE multiplayer experience—and a Switch 2 exclusive—signaling a shift that immediately sparked speculation: is FromSoftware leaving behind its signature style?

Not so fast, says studio president and game director Hidetaka Miyazaki.

In a recent interview with Nintendo, Miyazaki directly addressed concerns that the studio is pivoting toward multiplayer-first development. While The Duskbloods is indeed focused on online play, Miyazaki reassured fans that this doesn't represent a broader shift in direction.

“As a side note, please allow me to address one thing,” he said. “This [The Duskbloods] is an online multiplayer title at its core, but this doesn’t mean that we as a company have decided to shift to a more multiplayer-focused direction with titles going forward.”

He pointed to the Nintendo Switch 2 version of Elden Ring—which was announced alongside The Duskbloods—as evidence that FromSoftware is still committed to developing traditional, single-player-focused experiences.

The development of "The Duskbloods" began with what Miyazaki described as a "bare-bones" outline—"more a loose string of ideas than a proper presentation." Despite being quite different from their previous work, Nintendo showed interest in the concept. According to Miyazaki, while a small team initially started working on the project for the original Switch, Nintendo suggested moving development to the Switch 2 platform instead.

The PvPvE format appealed to Miyazaki because it "allows for a broad range of game-design ideas" while letting FromSoftware use their expertise in creating challenging enemy encounters. This approach builds on the studio's recent history of careful experimentation with their established formula.

Since releasing Elden Ring in February 2022, FromSoftware has explored various new ideas. Their DLC "Shadow of the Erdtree" introduced innovative power scaling through Scadutree Blessings. They're also developing "Elden Ring: Nightreign," a co-op survival action game that combines their signature Souls style with new elements like an encroaching storm, loot systems, and character archetypes. The studio even returned to its mecha roots with "Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon."

For fans wondering about the studio's next single-player project, some uncertainty remains. Miyazaki has previously stated that FromSoftware isn't currently considering "Elden Ring 2," though he hasn't completely ruled it out for the future. Reports suggest that "Bloodborne 2," another highly requested sequel, is also unlikely to materialize soon.