FromSoftwareis known for its challenging, atmospheric games likeDark Souls,Bloodborne, andElden Ring, and each title has demonstrated the different ways in which the studio has had to balance the needs of its hardcore fanbase. Some players love FromSoftware’s signature punishing difficulty, for example, while others are more interested in the lore, exploration, or action aspects.
Rolling out updates, installments, or new games in a balanced manner, therefore, remains a challenge for the studio, especially if it’s for the same type of intense, hardcore audience. Keeping everybody pleased is not always ideal but can be possible with a balanced release cycle that would helpFromSoftwaremaintain its hardcore audience while also attracting new players.
Expanding Game Genres Should Be The First Step
FromSoftware has mostly developed action RPGs recently and has shown versatility with games likeArmored CoreandSekiro, which abides by many unique action-adventure rules. By alternating between genres — such as mech combat, stealth, and action, or even creating a game focused on exploration and lore rather than combat — the developers can cater to a wider audience. This ensures that not every release is a brutal RPG, and by extension, the studio still gets to diversify its appeal without getting pigeonholed into only creating and maintaining its competitive RPGs.
So, after a complex, narrative-rich game likeElden Ring, it could releasea newArmored Coreinstallmentor even a completely new IP that steps away from the RPG genre. While it’s not a one-shot solution, this approach could help the studio strike a balance releasing one difficult and overwhelmingly expansive game after another.
Allowing Casual Players To Explore Different Mechanics
By offering games with different mechanics or themes, FromSoftware could attract more casual players who may not be interested in or able to handle the difficulty of its core titles. A game that focuses more on narrative and discovery rather than combat difficulty could draw in this group.
Elden Ringtook steps in this direction by offering anopen-world gameexperience where exploration was more prominent, but further expansions into other genres or mechanics could make this even more accessible.
Alternating Difficulty Levels, Post-Launch Support, and DLCs
To maintain player interest between releases, FromSoftware could increase its post-launch support with more frequent expansions and DLCs. For example,Elden Ringcould follow a model where new areas, bosses, or even story contentare periodically added. This kind of release schedule would allow hardcore players to have their challenges while more casual gamers can enjoy expanded lore and world-building at a more relaxed and fun pace.
DLCs also allow FromSoftware to address community feedbackin real-time where the devs could provide balance changes or new gameplay modes that cater to different player types. Finally, while it’s arguable that varying difficulty levels would ruin the core competitiveness of its gameplay, introducing optional difficulty modifiers, such as a mode with fewer penalties for death, more resources, or cooperative-focused features, could be the way forward to build balance.
FromSoftware’s ability to evolve while maintaining its core identity is key to satisfying its diverse fanbase. A balanced release cycle that comes with alternating difficulty levels for new and existing games, a variety of genres, regular post-launch content, and community engagement could allow the studio to retain its hardcore fans while also attracting new players.
