FromSoftware, a Japanese software company, was founded in 1986 with the intent of developing practical office software. However, in the early 1990s, the company shifted towards video game development. Their first title, "King's Field," was released in 1994 exclusively in Japan on the PlayStation. The game was extremely difficult and unforgiving, setting the tone for future games developed by the company.
FromSoftware went on to develop many titles, including "Armored Core" in 1997, which delved into the mecha genre. The company didn't return to their roots until 2009 with the release of "Demon's Souls," which is considered the spiritual successor to "King's Field." This was followed by the release of "Dark Souls" in 2011, which was a huge success and praised for its brutal difficulty.
The "Dark Souls" franchise is known for its vague and cryptic lore, which is revealed through cinematic cutscenes, in-game messages, and character dialogue. The series also features a unique "poise" system, which affects a character's ability to withstand enemy attacks.
Interestingly, the game features many Easter eggs and cut content, including a texture of a pile of recycled cans with a Heineken beer can and a rubber tire. The game also features a character named Andre, who is one of the few human characters to move his mouth while speaking.
The "Dark Souls" franchise has a dedicated fan base, with many players creating their own interpretations of the game's lore. Publisher Bandai Namco even held a contest where players could win $10,000 by creating a video explaining the story of the first two games.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. FromSoftware was founded in 1986 as a Japanese software company.
2. The company initially developed practical office software for the first couple of years.
3. In the early 1990s, FromSoftware shifted towards video game development.
4. In December 1994, FromSoftware released their first game, King's Field.
5. King's Field was released exclusively in Japan on the PlayStation console.
6. The gameplay of King's Field was extremely difficult and unforgiving.
7. The company released a sequel to King's Field in 1995 for an international audience.
8. In 1997, FromSoftware released Armored Core, a game in the mecha genre.
9. In 2009, FromSoftware released Demon's Souls, a spiritual successor to King's Field.
10. Demon's Souls was well-received by critics and praised for its tense gameplay and unique multiplayer mechanics.
11. In 2011, FromSoftware released Dark Souls, a spiritual successor to Demon's Souls.
12. Dark Souls was a huge success and praised for its brutal difficulty.
13. In 2014, FromSoftware released Dark Souls II, a sequel to Dark Souls.
14. In 2016, FromSoftware released Dark Souls III.
15. FromSoftware held a shield design contest for Dark Souls, where fans could submit their own shield designs.
16. The company received thousands of submissions, but only four were included in the final release.
17. The Dark Souls franchise is set in a medieval fantasy universe.
18. The games have a stat called "poise," which affects the character's ability to withstand enemy attacks.
19. The poise system was altered in Dark Souls II and again in Dark Souls III.
20. Publisher Bandai Namco announced a contest for players to explain the story of the first two Dark Souls games.
21. The winner of the contest received $10,000.
22. The creator of Dark Souls, Miyazaki, stated that there are many things in the game that are intentionally left unexplained.
23. FromSoftware initially planned to release Dark Souls with the name "Dark Lord," but it was changed due to trademark issues.