Creating AAA games is equated to not only the high budget invested in their making but also the time it takes to finish them. But one does wonder how can the developers of FromSoftware release such AAA-grade titles in the shortest amount of time possible.
In a recent interview with IGN, Miyazaki openly said that while he’s unsure if he would call it “some great secret,” the studio is generally “blessed with a great staff who love to create these games and who are, I think you could say, efficient at creating games”.
But equally important as being passionate in their craft, another important element in FromSoftware’s success seems to draw in knowing what the studio wants to produce from the beginning.
We’re able to understand quickly what we want to make and [are] able to make these decisions early on in development. We’re able to iterate and we’re able to leave things on the chopping board. We’re able to go ahead with ideas and a quick pace. We’re able to quickly change and quickly decide on the kind of game we want to make.
At a time when gaming studios are laying off talents left and right in the name of keeping the company afloat, Miyazaki spoke of FromSoftware’s viewpoint on such things as well:
I think in the face of that struggle and the place where the games industry is right now, I do see this as a time for us to continue to grow and continue to cultivate this talent and continue to release these games for as long as we can.
While “growth” in that context may mean expanding on FromSoftware’s manpower to do more of what it does and more efficiently, it can also mean bolstering the company’s core strength through its existing employees.
You can view the full interview from IGN here.