FromSoftware

FromSoftware is a developer who created a series of games that are so fun, popular, iconic, and bloody difficult that dozens upon dozens of other studios have attempted to emulate them in some way. FromSoftware was founded in 1994 as a game development studio, but it had previously developed productivity software. When FromSoftware did start making games, it made a lot of them: nearly 50 in total by 2009, the year Demon's Souls was released for the PlayStation 3.

Since the success of Demon's Souls, FromSoftware has focused almost entirely on Souls and Souls-related games, with only the occasional foray into Armored Core V, Steel Battalion: Heavy Armor, and Déraciné. Perhaps it's because they prefer subtle environmental storytelling to typical RPG exposition dumps. Perhaps it's because of their crunchy, impactful combat mechanics and freeform character progression systems. All of these factors, and many more, could contribute to the success of a Souls title.

Detailed Information:

Founded: November 1, 1986
Genre specialty: Third-person RPGs
Notable franchises: Dark Souls, Armored Core, Bloodborne

Website: fromsoftware.jp/ww