Ever since the release of Dark Souls 3, the regular rumor has been that this is the end of the Souls series for the foreseeable future. Series director and From Software head Hidetaka Miyazaki had previously expressed skepticism about returning to another Souls game anytime soon. However, Miyazaki recently clarified his statements, mentioning that though he didn’t have any plans to return to the series, he wouldn’t mind if someone else took up the reigns of a new Souls game.
At a recent round table discussion at the Bandai Namco headquarters in Tokyo, Kotaku asked Miyazaki directly about his stance on the future of the Souls series. Miyazaki pointed out that Dark Souls III isn’t actually the end of the series as a whole, but rather a “turning point.”
Miyazaki announced previously that the Dark Souls series would be put on hold for awhile, when questioned on the matter, he pointed out that it was in order to allow his studio to diversify, take a break from the series, and explore other projects, one of which he hinted may be a return to the Armored Core series. That said, Miyazaki further stated that he has no desire to bar others from expanding on the Souls franchise.
“For me, Dark Souls III is the end,” says Miyazaki. “But that doesn’t mean the end for Dark Souls. If someone other than myself, like another staff member, wants to make a Dark Souls, then I don’t want to deny others from making future installments.”
Given the distinct nature the Dark Souls series has carried through its numerous cryptic and brutally difficult entries, it’s hard to imagine if it can remain the same without Miyazaki at the head, but at the very least, it’s promising to know that the series may yet have a future in more willing hands.
Meanwhile, Dark Souls III’s first expansion Ashes of Ariandel has been announced and is slated for release on 25 October, 2016 for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.
