One of the highly-respected game developer known for its challenging titles and immersive experience, FromSoftware might be gearing up to become a bit more bold toward independence in the gaming industry.
FromSoftware, well-known for some of the most memorable and highly rated games of this generation has established itself as a juggernaut in game development. But new developments suggest that the company wants to add a publisher on top of those, a move that could change its trajectory in gaming.
FromSoftware’s Birthright – An Evolving Legacy
FromSoftware has a long history of creating original, high-quality games that have been acclaimed by fans around the world. From the atmospheric Dark Souls to Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, set in an imaginative take on Feudal Japan, each of FromSoftware’s games have a unique aesthetic and are revered for their rich lore and punishingly difficult gameplay. These games have been highly supported, both critically and by a dedicated fanbase.
Plaudits and Quality Throughout
Perhaps the most extraordinary thing about FromSoftware’s back catalog is how little their entires waver in quality. You rarely ever heard a poor word about one of their games and each new release was often column berated as being the latest masterpiece. This kind of work ethic is what has helped the studio consistently be at the top of its game in terms of quality and innovation on several different platforms.
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FromSoftware Acquisition from Software Revealed In Kadokawa’s Financial Update
The imminent change in strategy was revealed by publishing giant Kadokawa Corporation (who’s currently FromSoftware’s parent company) as part of a recent financial release. Kadokawa is a mainstay in the Japanese media industry and has roots firmly planted across several entertainment sectors such as manga, anime, and video games. Kadokawa’s year-end financial report showed a healthy rise in earnings, partly thanks to the success of recent game releases from FromSoftware.
DLC: The Behemoth is DLC for Castle Crashers and still selling fairly well today
In a strange twist, the report also pointed out that FromSoftware’s latest downloadable content (DLC) only made modest changes to their financial results due to being available on store shelves for less than ten days before closing off this reporting period. That implies more success for the studio, not just from new releases but also ongoing performance of current titles. Games such as Elden Ring and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice are still successful long after release, further bolstering the studio’s fortunes.
A New World Order: The Rise of Self-Publishing
Eager to see how that shakes out, there was even more to be found in the financial report when it comes to FromSoftware potentially starting self-publishing its games. Although the statement was short, it essentially suggested a large pivot in trajectory for the studio. The inference here really is that FromSoftware might offer its own titles as a publisher, which would be could have profound implications for the company and gaming industry writ large.
Publishers in game development
To appreciate how significant it could be for From Software to begin self-publishing, one must have an understanding of the role publishers actually interact with in the gaming space. Publishers perform a multitude of functions from funding development to support marketing and distribution as well as ensuring that those games are played by gamers all over the world. Quite a few developers, indie ones especially, can’t release their games to the public without signing up with at least one publisher.
Pros and Cons of A Publisher
However, that can be a double-edged sword, as it often is for developers like FromSoftware who have become big names in the industry. On the one hand, a publisher like Bandai Namco – which has handled distribution for From Software’s games many times before) brings with it plenty of resources and expertise in terms of marketing muscle and international reach. With the end product in mind, this strategy can be employed to help guarantee a wide reach and commercial viability for your game.
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However, at the same time working with a publisher would have some cons. This relationship can mean that developers are required to meet the goals of publishers, which may end up with them in conflicts or even compromises. Publishing its games would give FromSoftware much tighter control over its projects, and ultimately grant them more creative freedom in the long run which could also speed up production on new titles.
The Bandai Namco X FromSoftware -Unsung Love Story
FromSoftware’s long relationship with Bandai Namco is one reason they may continue to work there. That partnership has proven successful as well, with both companies reaping the benefits of games including Dark Souls and Elden Ring. On the other hand, if FromSoftware did begin to self-publish its games it would be a marked shift in this dynamic.
What a Bandai Namco Break Means
However, if FromSoftware were to lose Bandai Namco as a publisher and decides to self-publish any of its future projects that would come with several ripple effects. Most importantly, it would mean that a studio like From Software could be taking on additional roles beyond development – marketing and distribution of the games themselves, even possibly funding them. That would mean an expensive investment, process-wise and hence development-wise.
But the advantages of self-publishing might be worth sidelining these drawbacks. Controlling the entire process, FromSoftware could keep a larger cut of its game profits, plowing more money back into future projects. On the other hand, a studio freed from creative control of its corporate overlords could also mean even ballsier games both in terms of release schedules and creative direction.
Why is More Autonomy Needed
FromSoftware pushing for self-publishing fits in line with what the developer’s higher-ups have said recently. Earlier, the president of Nexon said in an interview that the studio had plans to churn out more game development work and release more titles quickly. The push for increased efficacy and self-determination may be an incentive to opt towards independent publishing.
Cutting Through the “Red Tape” and Expediting Development
Self-publishing has a number of possible advantages, one being the ability to avoid certain “red tape” which can at times impede working with third-party publishers. Well, by completely vertically integrating its connection with the production and distribution procedure FromSoftware presents itself in a position to optimize common issues like delay times or ensuring that customers are able to access their games as efficiently as feasible.
AFQ
A Model for the Future?
This move could, if executed well by FromSoftware also potentially pave the way for more indie game developers to take a similar path in gaining greater control over their projects. Not all studios have the cachet and resources to do so, but if FromSoftware’s success leads other developers down a similar path (as seems likely), why not? And if that happened, it might change the industry as a whole — making developers more likely to publish themselves and retain control of their creative output instead.
What awaits FromSoftware in the Future?
Right now, it’s not confirmed whether FromSoftware is going for self-publishing or will continue with Bandai Namco. While no official announcements have been made by the studio as of yet, this more recent financial report from Kadokawa only seemed to imply it. Still, the mere hint of a possible shift has created plenty of buzz and hype in gaming circles.
Challenges and Opportunities
However, should FromSoftware choose to self-publish its games it will bring good and bad aspects. After all, the studio has to spend time and money building out a support infrastructure for self-publishing which is no small task. However, the upside is huge — more creative control, lucrative pathways for expansion, and ultimate flexibility in steering its future.
What This Means for Gamers
From a gamer perspective, that is both exciting and encouraging news in terms of FromSoftware being its publisher. The move would allow the studio, which has been responsible for some of the best games in recent memory to perhaps develop even larger ground-breaking and distinctive titles. Whatever the case, it seems like FromSoftware has a lot more on its plate shortly–and if that means they’re self-publishing and supporting Bandai Namco going forward or otherwise heading off into one’s directions from here on out–we can’t wait to see where this legendary developer takes us next.
So in summation, is this a new chapter for FromSoftware?
I hope that sheds more light on the topic because I think FromSoftware releasing its games is very interesting idea and one with pretty a big potential impact on the gaming industry. Having been successful in the past, and wishing to manage their titles more of their way now they can probably do it too. We can only ponder at what that direction is, but given its background in developing some of the most imaginative and challenging video games on the planet for over 20 years now there’s little doubt FromSoftware will keep us slayed until well into this next generation.