Exploring The Duskbloods: Insights from Hidetaka Miyazaki (Part 1)

Discover the details about The Duskbloods in this interview with FromSoftware’s director, Hidetaka Miyazaki.

Could you start with a brief introduction?

I am Hidetaka Miyazaki, and I serve as the director for The Duskbloods at FromSoftware.

(1) FromSoftware, Inc. is a game development and publishing firm known for titles like Elden Ring™ and Dark Souls™: Remastered for the Nintendo Switch.

What inspired the development of this title for the Nintendo Switch 2?

Some time ago, we met with Nintendo to exchange ideas, where we shared a preliminary outline of The Duskbloods. At that stage, it was quite basic—more a collection of ideas than a formal presentation. Since the concept was new to us, Nintendo expressed strong interest in collaborating to bring it to life, which officially launched the project.

Initially, a small team was assigned to develop it as a title for Nintendo Switch. However, as we progressed, Nintendo informed us about the upcoming Switch 2, prompting us to adjust our development strategy to align with this new hardware. This focus on online capabilities enabled us to adhere closely to our original vision, which was exciting for us.

Can you elaborate on the gameplay style, which seems different from your earlier works?

We classify it as a PvPvE (2) title, primarily focusing on online multiplayer gameplay that combines player versus player and player versus enemy interactions.

(2)This refers to a gameplay style where players engage in combat with each other while also facing off against computer-controlled enemies.

Have you always wanted to create a PvPvE game?

Absolutely, I have always found the PvPvE framework captivating. It presents diverse opportunities for game design while allowing us to utilize our expertise in crafting challenging enemy encounters. That said, while this is fundamentally an online multiplayer experience, it does not indicate a shift in our overall direction towards multiplayer in future titles.

We also announced the Nintendo Switch 2 version of Elden Ring (3) and remain committed to developing single-player games that reflect our traditional style.

(3)The Nintendo Switch 2 edition is set to release in 2025. Elden Ring is a fantasy action RPG featuring an expansive world where players develop their characters according to their gameplay styles.

Describe the game’s characters and the setting.

The player-controlled characters are referred to as “Bloodsworn.” This group possesses superhuman abilities granted by unique blood. While they bear similarities to vampires, they are not depicted as the terrifying creatures typically associated with classic vampirism.

We aimed to highlight the captivating aspects we admire in themes like vampirism and reframe them within the Bloodsworn concept.

In The Duskbloods, the Bloodsworn compete for an entity known as “First Blood.” As humanity approaches its demise, First Blood is unleashed during what we call the “Twilight of Humanity.” The Bloodsworn are summoned from various times and locations to contend for First Blood.

Consequently, the game’s setting is not confined to a specific era or place, featuring both classic Gothic or Victorian maps and those representing the late modern period, such as a setting with a train seen in the trailer.

What does the title The Duskbloods signify?

The Duskbloods refers explicitly to the Bloodsworn. As previously stated, the Bloodsworn are summoned during Humanity’s Twilight to battle for First Blood. “Duskbloods” is a collective term for these playable characters.

It seems like the theme of blood is quite significant in the game.

Absolutely. In this game, blood serves a more metaphorical purpose rather than focusing on literal interpretations, such as depictions of wounds.

Blood embodies one of the central themes, representing history, the power it conveys, and the destinies it shapes, signaling those who have transcended their human constraints.