It is no secret that Elden Ring exists as part of a collaboration between From Software's Hidetaka Miyazaki and Game of Thrones author George R. R. Martin. While Elden Ring's release is still a few weeks away, Miyazaki has some thoughts about whom he would like to work with next on a future From Software game.
George R. R. Martin's involvement in Elden Ring's development is true to his work as an author, being strictly involved in the narrative side of things. As From Software worked on opening up the game world, Martin's major responsibility was crafting the history of the world. Recently, Martin's lack of video game playing came under scrutiny by another major fantasy writer. Mistborn author Brandon Sanderson criticized the collaboration between From Software and Martin, essentially calling out the author's lack of appreciation for the field versus their own.
In a new PlayStation Blog post, Elden Ring director Miyazaki shares their desire to work with someone outside the game industry again. Content Communications Manager at Sony Tim Turi asks Miyzaki who else they would collaborate with if they could, to which Miyazaki quickly states, "That's a difficult question." After admitting that working with Martin himself is still surreal, Miyzaki pauses for a moment before answering, "I don't think I would choose a fellow game creator." From Software brought Martin onto Elden Ring for collaboration as opposed to Martin requesting to work with the studio.
Miyazaki goes on to discuss what Martin's involvement has meant for Elden Ring's development. "One of the major appeals of working with George R. R. Martin was how the medium he works in is such a different style. Games and books are vastly different forms of media, after all," Miyazaki explains.
Ultimately, Miyazaki states the desire to work with someone "who can provide that same level of stimulation that's impossible for us to achieve as game developers," regardless of what medium they work in. Martin recently wrote on his blog about how incredible Elden Ring looks, and the process of working with From Software.
There are two key takeaways from Miyazaki's responses here, the first being how grateful they are for Martin's work on Elden Ring. Considering Martin apparently signed on for 6 more Elden Ring games, it seems the partnership between From Software and the author will continue for some time.
The other takeaway is Miyazaki's very open-minded perspective to video game development, seeking the ideas of non-video game creators for inspiration instead of other developers'. Only a few more weeks, then, until fans can see whether the collaboration between Miyazaki and Martin pays off.
Elden Ring releases February 25 on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
Source: PlayStation