From Software's Hidetaka Miyazaki, the mastermind behind the likes of Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and the upcoming Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, has shared his thoughts on the (oft-requested) possibility of a Demon's Souls remaster. Demon's Souls is, of course, the 2009 PS3 game that first introduced the world to Miyazaki's mesmerising, and hugely influential, action-adventure template. We're rapidly approaching its tenth anniversary on February 5th this year, and that (alongside the fact that its official servers are no longer online), would seem to make 2019 the perfect time to give Demon's Souls the respectful remaster or remake treatment. As Digital Foundry's Tom Morgan argued last year. But does its creator agree? Somewhat disappointingly, Miyazaki has now revealed to Game Informer that, even though the decision to create a Demon's Souls remaster would ultimately lie with IP holder Sony, it's not a project that he'd personally be interested in working on. "It's like when you write - when you're younger, you look back on [previous work] and you think 'Oh, goodness what was I thinking,'" Miyazaki explained. "It's not that I'm embarrassed, I just don't like to look at my previous works." Despite his reluctance to revisit older projects, Miyazaki did admit to having fond memories of Demon's Souls' development, especially as it "was the first action fantasy game that I created, or I directed". However, he also revealed that, "thinking about the idea of a remaster gives me kind of butterflies in my stomach and makes me a little nervous, so it's complicated." For all his personal apprehension, though, Miyazaki did acknowledged that, "there are many users and many players and fans out there who really love Demon's Souls". As such, he conceded that he'd be open to a remaster, provided it was to be handled by a studio "that really loved the original work and really put their heart and soul into realising it again." Of course, many fans are hoping that that studio might be Bluepoint, the developer responsible for last year's stunning Shadow of the Colossus remake - especially since word got out that its next project is also a remake. And while there's so far been little to suggest that the idea is anything more than wishful thinking, Demon's Souls' 10th anniversary this year would certainly be an excellent excuse for Sony to make those dreams come true.<doc-sep>Demon’s Souls – a remaster is unlikely but not impossible Dark Souls creator Hidetaka Miyazaki has said he isn’t interested in any more remasters but that he’s not opposed to Sony making one. When Demon’s Souls was released on PlayStation 3 in 2009 it did so with very little fanfare. Sony didn’t even bother to release it in Europe, and yet it very quickly became a cult favourite. It was also director Hidetaka Miyazaki’s first game outside the Armored Core series and while there was never any official follow-up the Dark Souls games became clear spiritual sequels. Considering how overlooked it was at the time, and how many – including Miyazaki – have said the game contains some of the SoulsBourne series’ best boss battles, rumours of a remake or remaster have been floating around for years. But Miyazaki has said he won’t have anything to do with it. ‘It’s like when you write – when you’re younger, you look back on [previous work] and you think ‘Oh, goodness what was I thinking,’’ he told Game Informer. ‘It’s not that I’m embarrassed, I just don’t like to look at my previous works.’ He also pointed out that the rights belong to Sony, so it’s really up to them. But Miyazaki didn’t really have anything to do with the Dark Souls remaster either, which was primarily developed by Polish studio QLOC. ‘If it was a studio that really loved the original work and really put their heart and soul into realising it again, then that’s something I would enjoy,’ he said. ‘But it’s really complicated because I have these fond memories. Thinking about the idea of a remaster gives me kind of butterflies in my stomach and makes me a little nervous, so it’s complicated. But I understand there are many users and many players and fans out there who really love Demon’s, so if that’s something they could accomplish with a studio that loved the work, then yeah, I’d be okay with that.’ Developer Bluepoint Games, who worked on the critically acclaimed Shadow Of The Colossus remake are known to be working on another secret project and many fans had theorised it may be Demon’s Souls. But unless Miyazaki is a really good liar, or is being kept completely out of the loop, it doesn’t sound like anything Demon’s Souls related is currently in development. Email gamecentral@ukmetro.co.uk, leave a comment below, and follow us on Twitter<doc-sep>
Demon’s Souls is a classic, and remains one of From Software’s most precious Souls games. Demon’s Souls is obviously credited with kicking off From Software’s most successful series, and define director Hidetaka Miyazaki’s career in the years since. But, being available on a single platform – PS3 – makes it hard to play in the modern age. The idea of a Demon’s Souls remaster, remake or even a straight re-release is something fans have been hoping would happen for years now. Game director Hidetaka Miyazaki knows how special Demon’s is to players, but he’s more interested in exploring new ventures with From Software. “It’s like when you write – when you’re younger, you look back on [previous work] and you think ‘Oh, goodness what was I thinking,'” Miyazaki explained in a Game Informer interview. “It’s not that I’m embarrassed, I just don’t like to look at my previous works.” With that in mind, Miyazaki added that he would enjoy a remaster “done right” by a different studio. “If it was a studio that really loved the original work and really put their heart and soul into realising it again, then that’s something I would enjoy,” he said. “But it’s really complicated because I have these fond memories. “Thinking about the idea of a remaster gives me kind of butterflies in my stomach and makes me a little nervous, so it’s complicated. But I understand there are many users and many players and fans out there who really love Demon’s, so if that’s something they could accomplish with a studio that loved the work, then yeah, I’d be okay with that.” Ultimately, though, the Demon’s Souls IP belongs to Sony, and the platform holder ultimately has the final say on whether or not it’s worth remastering the game. “That was the first action fantasy game that I created, or I directed. I have fond memories of it, but it’s definitely not my place to say they’ll remaster.” Until such time, we can all look forward to Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice in March.