Dark Souls dev sorry for frame-rate issues, uncertain on sequel

By Tom Phillips Published 31 January, 2012

"We don't know if the users will forgive us."

Dark Souls developer From Software has admitted to "technical difficulties" which cause troubling frame-rate issues in its hard-as-nails role-player.

From Software felt out of its depth with the game's huge scope, Dark Souls' creative director Hidetaka Miyazaki revealed to Edge.

"Yes, there were technical difficulties," Miyazaki said. "I don't believe that it's okay to have them, but realistically speaking, it was quite a large-scale game - even in terms of budget and expectations.

"So we're very sorry for the trouble we've caused by our processing errors and bugs from Japan. It was a title that we haven't really experienced in all aspects, so there were areas where we felt our technical side couldn't keep up with the game's scope, like an increasingly growing ache."

Miyazaki considered working on the game "a learning curve", but is unsure whether From Software will ever revisit the Dark Souls universe.

"We don't even know if we'll have another chance. We have the confidence that we can improve from our mistakes this time and create an even better Dark world, but we don't know if the users will forgive us for the mistakes."

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About Tom Phillips

Tom joined Eurogamer in 2010 and has quickly made his mark writing news and columns and coming up with puntastic straplines. Questionable beard. @TomPhillips151 on Twitter.

Read more articles from Tom by visiting the Tom Phillips archive page.

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Comments (121) Latest comment 4 months ago

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  • rivuzu #1 4 months ago

    We forgive you! T_T

    Edit: On a serious note, how rare is it for a developer to apologise for things like this?
    Edited by rivuzu at 31/01/12 @ 17:00

  • rudedudejude #2 4 months ago

    Bless.

    /cracks whip

    "Now get to work!"

  • riz23 #3 4 months ago

    Forgive you? guys I Love you!

  • darkmorgado #4 4 months ago

    "We don't even know if we'll have another chance. We have the confidence that we can improve from our mistakes this time and create an even better Dark world, but we don't know if the users will forgive us for the mistakes."

    Given the near universal praise, from players and critics alike, I think he's being too hard on himself.

    I'd be more likely to hold a grudge if they DIDN'T make another one!

  • jetsetwillie #5 4 months ago

    its ok, just do a PC version and all will be forgiven.

  • Abdu@EG #6 4 months ago

    I forgive you. You made great and original games.

  • papizdano #7 4 months ago

    mayhaps a pc version ?

  • Triggerhappytel #8 4 months ago

    We forgive you. Now please work on a sequel :)

    Seriously though, compared to some games and in particular a big RPG which shall remain nameless, Dark Souls was practically issue-free. It had its problems, but it was also excellent, and there's certainly no need for From to apologise.

  • infinitecontinues #9 4 months ago

    A few frame-rate issues are nowhere near enough to dampen the brilliant experience of this game. Miyazaki, everything is forgiven. Make the sequel already!

  • miiiguel #10 4 months ago

    360 users for sure.
    PS3 users will call you lazy and talk about the power of the cell.

    Respect!

  • rumbo #11 4 months ago

    Such a brilliant game. Having finished the first playthrough of Dark Souls, and hopping into Skyrim just after, left me with a very 'Meh' feeling at Skyrim's massively dull combat (at least melee combat - won't comment on magical combat).

    Bring on the pain of a sequel!

  • Shabbaranks #12 4 months ago

    Your forgiven, now start making a third. I can even wait for a next gen version if you like.

  • Stomp224 #13 4 months ago

    Christ, I want to give this man a hug. A manly hug, obviously. >_>

    Bethesda, take notes.

    Edit: Take notes of From Software's exemplary work ethic, not my manly hug technique....
    Edited by Stomp224 at 31/01/12 @ 19:30

  • Architect_z #14 4 months ago

    Demon's Souls is probably my favourite game of all time, Dark Souls is awesome aswell. I think anyone who has taken time to play these games can forgive any mistakes. I'll be looking forward to your next game.

  • darkmorgado #15 4 months ago

    EG, please print off this comment section and mail it to Hidetaka Miyazaki with a little note saying "Cheer up! NOW MAKE A NEW ONE!"

  • Ercarret #16 4 months ago

    I haven't played it myself - yet - but I have barely heard a complaint about it from those I know who have. Definitely not anything regarding technical problems (that would have been a huge problem, somehow). Everyone I know who've played it seems to love it pretty much unconditionally. Therefor, saying "we don't know if the users will forgive us for the mistakes" seems kind of odd. From my point of view, people don't seem to have noticed anything that they need to forgive.

  • Triggerhappytel #17 4 months ago

    Also: he's so humble. Isn't that refreshingly different to all the news stories about Amalur recently?

  • Asuras #18 4 months ago

    Wow so one of the best game ever lags? Big deal, if anything other develloppers should make them more laggy then!

    Cut the crap, Miazaky : FORGIVEN, dark souls 2 now plz;)

  • Cjail #19 4 months ago

    Watch and learn Bethesda!

    Side note:
    Bethesda said that they would have released patch 1.04 and the modding tool in January.
    Edited by Cjail at 31/01/12 @ 17:19

  • Stomp224 #20 4 months ago

    @Ercarret There is one particular area plagued by slowdown (Caused by AI pathfinding issues, i believe the theory is). It is quite glaring, but to be fair it gives you more time to react!

  • drew327 #21 4 months ago

    I only had a couple issues with the framerate when I was in that swamp/depths area which name is escaping me. It felt like a view/draw distance issue where as I was making my way down Blighttown, there were times I would look and it felt like the game was drawing the zone all the way down to the floor (which was pretty far away). It wasn't that big a deal.

    Dark Souls was far and away my game of the year, please let there be a 3rd. The level design and the world you guys craft is something I want to keep exploring.
    Edited by drew327 at 31/01/12 @ 17:13

  • wattsn26 #22 4 months ago

    There was only one real area where framerate was bad. "Blighttown" where it had many different things going on in the background, the framerate chugged to unbelievably low numbers.

    This can all be remedied on the PS4/Nextbox/PC with better hardware.

    I forgive you, now get to work on Demon Souls 2 and/or Dark Souls 2

  • wattsn26 #23 4 months ago

    @miiiguel Is that why Demon Souls (exclusive to the PS3), which also had framerate issues, sold so well and is also well loved?

    PS3 owners love From Software, they will fix any issues in a sequel and PS3 owners will support them

  • Rodriguez #24 4 months ago

    You have nothing to be sorry about Mr. Miyazaki, overall the game was utterly superb and less buggy than a lot of so called AAA titles these days. Your team at From Software did an amazing job for such an ambitious project. One of the best games to come from Japan this gen for me, so please don't give up on this series!!

  • DefendoCroc #25 4 months ago

    Dude you are forgiven , you made the best game of the year in my book, now crack on bro and make the next one.

  • Rimau #26 4 months ago

    I would love to see a sequel but I wouldn't want them to make one just because they have to. I'd be happy to wait another 2-3 years for the next one and not see yearly updates or churned out spin-offs.

  • Ostinato #27 4 months ago

    Mr Myazaki, you are forgiven. You made one of the greatest games of all time in my humble opinion.

    Rewatching the trailer I could not help but smile at the partial nudity warning and wonder what caused it... Quelaag's bare-breasted torso you never get to see in it's full glory? Princess Gwynevere's ample but duly covered bosom? Or the starting barbarian in just his loincloth?

    Anyway, Mr Myazaki and all you wonderful people at From Software, will you please reconsider and make another Souls game? Please?

  • RawShark #28 4 months ago

    This is so Japanese. Release a universally acclaimed game and then dwell on the minor imperfections. "This frame rate error is unforgivable. I am filled with shame and I will perform Seppuku immediately"

    Compare this to the interview with the guys who released Amy a couple of weeks ago "It's a great game! Just turn the difficulty down you n00bs!!!!"

  • DeeEss #29 4 months ago

    We forgive you! Make another one now!

  • joeymoto108 #30 4 months ago

    Best game of this gen? I think so!

  • Ercarret #31 4 months ago

    @Stomp224 Ah, thanks for explaining. :)

    Regardless: it still doesn't seem like anything that's really worth apologizing for. But hey, rather a developer who shows such humility in front of not-so-serious issues, than someone who doesn't show it when faced with really glaring ones. If anything, this apology only reinforces the mental image I have of From Software as a really good developer.

    All in all: I'm totally getting this game whenever I get a little more money to spend. And I hope to get a lot more games from them in the future. :D
    Edited by Ercarret at 31/01/12 @ 17:31

  • stee1gargoyle #32 4 months ago

    These guys really care about the consumers: they're not just there to churn out a title and then churn out DLC and/or patches largely at the behest of Big Publisher. So rare in the gaming industry these days.

  • jack24 #33 4 months ago

    Only just started dark souls. I have demon's souls as my sequel :D Please get another one ready for when am done with both!

  • TONYgr #34 4 months ago

    THERE'S NOTHING TO FORGIVE FOR ME!
    Finished the game 4 times,got the platinum.The best 200 hours of my gaming life,untill the sequel hehehe!

  • Sonic_D #35 4 months ago

    The framerate in Blightown is annoying yes, but then if I had turned right instead of left when I reached the swamp and found the bonfire the first time I would probably not have been that bothered by it. The only other part of the game that annoyed me were the infamous two archers in Anor Londo.

    The rest of the game though is superb. I have three characters with different play styles that significantly impact how you play the game. A total of 180 hours of gaming I think thus far, will probably stop after beating the game again with my high Dex character.

    Basically please make a new one. GOTY

  • Wyrm #36 4 months ago

    They have to make another! Please!

  • UKwoods #37 4 months ago

    Man, if you made a sequel anywhere near as good as Dark Souls i'd probably forgiveyou for banging my wife, let alone a few frame rate issues.

  • philreeduk #38 4 months ago

    Going through areas such as the undead burg and anor londo were highlights of gaming this year, i really hope they make another!!

  • MarketZero #39 4 months ago

    This is like a beatiful girl coquettishly saying "I just don't know if I'm pretty enough."

  • Stymphalius #40 4 months ago

    @UKwoods I made a choose-your-own adventure game in QBasic when I was 14- can I bang your wife too?

  • Collymilad #41 4 months ago

    Eh, you're fine. I still need to get properly into the game but the 20 hours I've played have been awesome. Saving it for a drought when I can give it the commitment it deserves.

    Do another game please. If any devs need forgiving, FS are waaaaaaaaayyyyyyy down the list :p

    I only got framerate problems in 1 or 2 areas as well.
    Edited by Collymilad at 31/01/12 @ 17:55

  • Biker_Bob_1971 #42 4 months ago

    Post deleted at 16:59:10 06-02-2012

  • olionajudah #43 4 months ago

    i read: sorry for making your 2 favorite games of this console generation

    hm.. i think i might be able to forgive you

    ..but only.. ONLY if you make a sequel, or another game in the series.
    (i don't care if it's a sequel to Dark Souls or Demon's Souls, or another 'spiritual' successor.. but please, dear god, make another game for us)

    i love that these guys are apologizing, but Skyrim, a MUCH higher budget and profile game can get away with sequel after sequel with the same crappy combat, not to mention far more exasperating issues.. and .. **crickets**

    sorry.

    I will not, however, forgive FROM for abandoning the series. that is the only unforgivable act.

  • pedrohasashi #44 4 months ago

    gamers: We NEED another installment in the series. Thats all. And yes, we all want it to be HARDER and more difficult even. lol I meant it. Seriously.

  • UKwoods #45 4 months ago

    @Stymphalius If that's what you were doing at 14 I can see why you would have to ask :p

  • neems #46 4 months ago

    /Forgiven.

    Sequel please (also, if you make a PC version I will buy it again).

  • Vyggo #47 4 months ago

    Man, don't joke about not making another. That is just not funny AT ALL!

  • FogHeart #48 4 months ago

    /wells up, flutters hands at his cheeks

    I'm sorry too! I don't know why! Let's make a pinky swear never to do it again!

  • basstaverns #49 4 months ago

    There was only one bit where is was really a problem on the xbox version, when you climbed up the shortcut ladder in new londo, but fuck me if that game isn't worth it! Sadly it's ruined other games for me though, Skyrim is a joke of a game compared to Dark Souls *searches urn - 8 gold*

  • darc #50 4 months ago

    Can he possibly be this hard on himself for a game that has been so critically acclaimed?? It almost comes off like he's fishing for compliments. :o

    If you're even serious, then OF COURSE WE FORGIVE YOU! Personally, I was never really upset about framerate in the first place. There are a couple of other things about Dark Souls that miff me a bit, like its fetish for insta-killing you by way of falls to your death... but no matter it is my 2nd favorite game of all time, and only because the #1 spot is held by Demon's Souls!

    Another installment is a no-brainer. This engine, these controls, these gameplay concepts are one-of-a-kind, and I'll play through just about any world you build around them.

    But take your time! No need to rush; I'd rather see the 3rd game be as good as the 1st two were. (And besides, I need some time in between to catch up on the rest of my life!) Which brings me to another point: no need to worry about frame rate when your next game is very likely ship on next-gen hardware anyway.

    THANK YOU for Demon's/ Dark Souls.
    Edited by darc at 31/01/12 @ 18:26

  • Ostinato #51 4 months ago

    @darc Hear hear!

  • HairyEngineer #52 4 months ago

    Don't know if it's a coincidence, but the only framerate issues I had were in places where you could take continuous damage from the terrain (swamp / lava).

    Still, GOTY and all that.
    Edited by HairyEngineer at 31/01/12 @ 18:40

  • Paul_cz #53 4 months ago

    Well just make PC version and it will be ok!

  • Demiath #54 4 months ago

    In related news, Shakespeare shamefully admits typos in King Lear.

  • Daeltaja #55 4 months ago

    Oh my god, Sir, we forgive you. Only Blighttown gave me any real trouble and when the game was so fucking good, I can overlook it without hesitation.

    Please, please, please make more!

  • Stymphalius #56 4 months ago

    @UKwoods lol :) No offense intended! In my defense, it was a pretty cool game... but From Software definitely deserve that honour more than I.

  • CloudXIV #57 4 months ago

    Just give me an address and I'll send You guys a real life letter with my forgiveness if that guarantees another sequel.

  • jimisere #58 4 months ago

    Humanity +1 for Mr Miyazaki :)

  • Arsecake_Baker #59 4 months ago

    "hard-as-nails role-player."

    No not really, exciting, tense, atmospheric and unforgiving, but not "hard-as-nails"

    Miyazaki san watashi wa anata wo yurushi masu.

    GOTY! Game of the Gen! 10/10!

    Edit: EG comments section doesn't like kanji
    Edited by Arsecake_Baker at 31/01/12 @ 19:20

  • Lucan815 #60 4 months ago

    JESUS BRING BACK THE FRANCHISE! BEST GAME IN LAST 10 YEARS

  • Mr_SRS #61 4 months ago

    Please definitely make another Souls game! Dark Souls and Demon Souls are both awesome! Any bugs and framerate issues that I have seen have been minor and definitely not a game breaker by any means. Please, please make more!

  • kimchibaka #62 4 months ago

    As someone who lived for a decent time in Japan the guy is obviously not speaking English in the interview, it must have been translated, so a lot of things (nuance at least) will have been lost.

    Certainly on one level at least doesn't make much sense!
    Edited by kimchibaka at 31/01/12 @ 19:26

  • The-Jack-Burton #63 4 months ago

    Are you kidding!? I would buy a sequel right now. These guys are way too humble, but I do accept the apology. Now give me more Dark Souls!

    Every other dumb fuck developer would blame it on the shitty hardware they have to work with. Either that or blame the users for being fucking idiots for not understating how awesome they are.

  • mr2ange #64 4 months ago

    Forgiven.

    Next time just seperate some of the areas out a little, blighttown could have been upper and lower without too much modification.

    Please make another one, everything else seems so Souless after playing your game!

  • Rajin #65 4 months ago

    I think the problems were thanks to the short development cycle, one year would've improved many things i imagine.

    Would love a new game that strikes a balance between Dark souls and Demon Souls. I may be one of the few, but i was sorely disappointed with Dark Souls on many levels. Great that he's humble and responding, although it's a little bit late:)

    I will get negged for this since Dark/demon soul fans are sadly being overly zealous these days. I think Dark souls is flawed masterpiece just like it predecessor.

    To many look past it's faults and blindly praise it game for it good points. Framerate problems were unacceptable on many levels, not that i say that this game doesn't deserve universal praise. It's just that problems found in the combat mechanics(combat is less fluid then Demon Souls, believe it or not)a big deal,these combined with the framerate holds this game back from being near perfect.

    I am very happy they acknowledge it and i have full faith that they really tackle the problem with their next release, which i eagerly await:)
    Edited by Rajin at 31/01/12 @ 19:41

  • UKwoods #66 4 months ago

    @Stymphalius None taken pal.

  • Scimarad #67 4 months ago

    I think it's safe to say we weren't THAT bothered with the framerate. The rest of the game more than made up for it.

  • FenderMaster #68 4 months ago

    Blighttown was probably my worst gaming experience of 2011. Parts of the Catacombs were horrendous too. That said, there were some great moments in the game.

    I'm not sure If I'll bother playing another Souls game, I wasn't quite as enamoured with it as some people... But theres certainly a million or three gamers who would rush out to buy another Souls game. It's almost a guranteed success. A niche game, a critical darling, a (relatively) low budget and the support of millions of hardcore gamers who can't get enough of this world. Thats a horse worth betting on!

  • dirtysteve #69 4 months ago

    Of course they will revisit it, would be foolish not to. And they're more than willing to take big risks over here on titles like Armored Core, so Dark Something is a given.

  • dudefella #70 4 months ago

    I forgive you! Please make a (spiritual) sequel!

  • persus-9 #71 4 months ago

    What. The. Hell. If Hidetaka Miyazaki has anything to be sorry for it is this but to be honest if he says things like this then he needs to have a PR rep with him to tell him when to shut up. I like to think I keep my ear relatively close to the ground on gaming news and I hadn't heard a word against Dark Souls until this story. The game is at 89 on both metacritic ratings, it has been on the end of an unpresidented petition to get it ported to PC and rather than bask in the warm glow of critical success this guy just handed every gaming news site a headline that links his game to frame-rate issues. I reckon a good rule of thumb is if you're a developer you should never be responsible for a big headline linking your game to bugs. If I worked PR for Namco Bandai I think I'd have just had a heart attack.

    EDIT: Having said that I'd love to live in a world where acknowledging your mistakes and being humble was a good idea. I just don't feel that is this world.
    Edited by persus-9 at 31/01/12 @ 20:36

  • Colin8703 #72 4 months ago

    From made my game of the year and it warms my heart even more that they thought to apologise when it was entirely unnecessary.

    Thank YOU for making one of the best videogames EVER and please make another. I cannot put into words how much I loved Dark Souls.

  • Kaonazhie #73 4 months ago

    People mention the frame-rate issues, online problems and ability imbalances because there is nothing else wrong with the game!

    Go make another one - right now! Souls doesn't need to be a yearly game, but it should at least be a trilogy! GOTY 2011 needs a sequel that perfects it. And hey, one thing that I'd love to see in a sequel would be a binding/soapstone item that lets you summon one other player, whenever you want.

    Not gonna happen, sure, but I'd love to play through Souls with my friend/s.

  • Alatair #74 4 months ago

    They are so trolling.

  • Slipstream #75 4 months ago

    Forgive you? For making my GOTY 2011? I shall not!

  • kwolf666 #76 4 months ago

    Haha, I love Japanese understatement!

    Yes, I forgive you!

  • Dangerous_Dan #77 4 months ago

    This is like a beautiful girl apologizing for not being in the mood to go out but having the desire to stay in the bedroom with you.

    Please take your time for the sequel. I hope you have more and more success with Dark Souls and keep up the good support (although that's also a publisher thing). And I hope you win all the battles against your publisher and can stay true to your approach in game making. Keep it focused and strengthen this games rather unique qualities. I hope the publisher is smart enough to not interfere with your integer development team.

  • niroe #78 4 months ago

    Rarely do devs admit to framerate issues nevermind apologise for them.. I'd buy another Darksouls!

  • pedrohasashi #79 4 months ago

    on a side note: its impressive (to me at least) that these are the same guys that developed Ninja Blade. I can even spot similarities in the engine of both games.

    on topic: can we start a petition sign for another soul title? Not a direct sequel please.

  • sourc0r #80 4 months ago

    I should apologize to THEM for not having bought it already, but these news about a possible PC version are still keeping me off!

  • Lord_Gremlin #81 4 months ago

    Make PS3 version of your next game flawless and all is forgiven. Anyway, check the people with over 80% of trophies or platinums. All those already forgave you.

  • ShiroBen #82 4 months ago

    Look. I want to forgive you. I really do. But Blight Town was an enormous pile of awful.

    ... oh, who am I kidding, get over here guy! But don't ever Blight Town again.

  • agent55 #83 4 months ago

    "... we don't know if the users will forgive us for the mistakes."

    That sounds like a line right out of the game, he's spent too much time immersed in Dark Souls. It ain't that bad man, in fact it's one of the greatest creations ever given to gamers!

    A lack of continuation for this series is completely unacceptable.
    Edited by agent55 at 31/01/12 @ 22:16

  • onesandzeros #84 4 months ago

    judging by the comments, this article was akin to Jesus apologizing to the apostles for wanking a few times

  • KanePaws #85 4 months ago

    I forgive your mistakes and look forward to another game in the spirit of Dark Souls... after the requisite seppuku, of course.

  • FatalHybrid #86 4 months ago

    If they aren't planning a sequel this means they are free to make the game for PC right? If so do that.. Seems logical to me.

  • beatwolf #87 4 months ago

    Wow thumbs up for this developer!! great!

  • SteveHolt #88 4 months ago

    I forgive them, but they clearly need to take more time for the sequel - the later areas, while visually arresting, felt a little rushed in terms of level design (large area then corridor then boss) and the huge title update felt like them admitting that some key aspects of the game hadn't been fully thought through before the game shipped.

  • cloudskipa #89 4 months ago

    I played on 360 and I honestly didn't think the frame dips were a huge problem at all.

  • schmeetz #90 4 months ago

    He's not fooling anyone, is he? The man's just asking for forgiveness and applause in a very roundabout way. But hey, it was my game of the year, too, so I'll join the chorus:

    All is forgiven.

    Now start working on the next one.

    Please.

  • TrevHead #91 4 months ago

    The framerate issues after the patch wernt gamebreaking on the360, ild still rather have the pc version though.

    I was starting to think that with DS and bioshocks 1999 mode that oldschool gamedesign was starting to make a comeback. Ild be gutted if no more souls games were made

  • Pwnsweet #92 4 months ago

    @joeymoto108

    Xenoblade

  • captain_mailinator #93 4 months ago

    Demons/Dark souls were fantastic. The only game last year I pre ordered. There were rumors about possible DLC for Dark Souls a few weeks back, if that came to fruition it would be one of the few DLC add ons I will have ever purchased. Fingers crossed for a new game/DLC soon!

  • frazzl #94 4 months ago

    I for one found the slowdown to be a real issue; it some areas it was constant. It's strange how forgiving the comments are in this thread as compared to any thread regarding Skyrim issues. Technical problems are technical problems and there is no excuse for them.

  • Daikon #95 4 months ago

    Having lived in Japan for quite some time now I'm quite sure his comments have been translated way too literally ^_^

  • Dangerous_Dan #96 4 months ago

    @frazzl - In Skyrim most of the angry comments are from people with a PS3 version who were not able to complete the game and in general can not exceed a certain save file size.

    Now get this, they had the same problem with Fallout 3, which is the reason I didn't even bother to get Skyrim on PS3.
    A huge budget, a lot of customers, knowing about the fundamental problem and yet releasing it anyway.

    Now From did make compromises in areas of balancing and frame rate optimization (my guess is they had to release at a certain point because of the publisher) but you can finish the game. Their patches address the worst balancing issues and with the DLC they may change some more.

    Their game is a flawed gem. But it's still a gem and not a polished, hmm, rock. They did something very bold and unique with their Souls games, at least bold for the times we live in today.
    For the future they will have to improve which is also stated by From by something like "We need fresh blood if we do a new project." But as long as they don't give too much about appealing to the majority it should be fine.
    Edited by Dangerous_Dan at 01/02/12 @ 06:59

  • furrykitty #97 4 months ago

    The frame rate i'll forgive them for, but not Ornstein and Smough. They nearly made me cry. I'd pay double for a sequel though.

  • StolenGlory #98 4 months ago

    Uncertain for a sequel? You guys done good! Ignore the frame-rate moaning bitches and get back to the iron!

  • SenkaSek #99 4 months ago

    @darkmorgado
    Being hard on themselves is Japanese. One of few societies where some values still matter.

  • Sodding_Gamer #100 4 months ago

    What a legend. I wish more Developers were like this.

  • Rogueywon #101 4 months ago

    Agree with all of the comments here saying "nothing to apologise for".

    Wonder if this is being driven by some kind of negative response from the Japanese fan-base. Maybe that's out of line with the game's reception in the West. I've absolutely no evidence for this assertion, but I know how aggressive 2chan and the like can get when they decide that something falls short of their standards. As a Japanese developer, From Software will be more directly exposed to that than they will to the torrents of praise from international reviewers and gamers.

    Personally, I only experienced framerate issues in two areas: Blight Town and the Crystal Caves under the Duke's Archives. The latter I can forgive, because of the fancy stuff they were doing with visuals there. The former did feel a bit like a case of poor area design (in more ways than one). But one area in a huge game like Dark Souls which doesn't quite live up to the standards of the rest of the game? I'm not going to hold a grudge over that.

  • Retro_ #102 4 months ago

    Forgiven with bells on.

  • addugg #103 4 months ago

    I forgive you for the framerate issues.

    I don't forgive you for the amount of pads I broke on my wall.

  • uninspiredcup #104 4 months ago

    pc version.

  • Zerobob #105 4 months ago

    Bethesda could learn a thing or two from these guys.

  • mechanotron #106 4 months ago

    It is the first time I have ever posted in this website or any gaming website (good job eurogamer!). SO just writing to say, Mr. Miyazaki:

    1- Dark Souls is the only game I HAVE EVER BOUGHT on RELEASE DAY at 9:00am - UK Stores opening time;
    2- Dark Souls is the only game that I have irrationally bought 2 copies of (I know it is non-sense);
    3- DKS and Demon Souls are the only games I have played for more than 60 hours (average 130 hours each);

    A large group of people LOVED Dark Souls and will support another game. Many non-hardcore gamers like myself (mid 30s) got a taste for something new and refreshing.

    Like everyone else wrote here: DUDE GET TO WORK!

  • Griffisu #107 4 months ago

    @rivuzu Japanese developers tend to be much more humble and respectful than western ones.

    Not saying that is the case exclusively, for either side of the ocean, but as a norm the Japanese people are like that when speaking publicly.

  • mcreddie #108 4 months ago

    Please don't implement screen tearing as a way to fix it. Frame rate issues are a blessing in comparison!

  • Nevflinn #109 4 months ago

    I admit, while I let the frame rate issue disappoint me a little, it could have been three times worse and I would still have savoured each moment in the game as much as I did. This style of game is beautiful, and you were right to diverge it as you did from Demon's Souls. Keep taking those risks, and adapt as much as you need to to give us something precious; I'll be with you each step of the way.

    And thanks for making me teary-eyed on killing Gwyn and Sif. :')
    Edited by Nevflinn at 01/02/12 @ 11:12

  • JosephB #110 4 months ago

    How can such a lovely man make such a brutal game? you are forgiven, of course

  • Architect_z #111 4 months ago

    What was the problem? Blight town was pretty terrible, but other than that, I didnt really notice that many other frame rate issues, or the ones I did, didnt affect the gameplay significantly enough for me to care. For a game that got such a high score considering the tech issues, shows just ow good the game really was.

  • frazzl #112 4 months ago

    @Dangerous_Dan It depends on the player I guess. I am sure there are PS3 players who have had no issue completing Skyrim or are willing to put up with Rimlag. And I am sure there are players (like myself) who have found the excessive slowdown to impact the gameplay experience enough to stop playing Dark Souls.

    I am not going to pass judgment as to the quality of Skyrim or Dark Souls as this would be subjective and all of us have our preferences. My issue is that certain people (not you) are more than happy to gloss over technical issues with Dark Souls and go ballistic over Bethesda's lack of quality control. Just look a few posts down from yours:

    "Bethesda could learn a thing or two from these guys."

    Both Bethesda and FROM should learn to balance their ambition with technical prowess. A faulty game is a faulty game no matter how ambitious and enjoyable it may be for some.

  • darc #113 4 months ago

    I think it's odd that everyone goes on about framerate issues in Blighttown. Are we sure we're not talking about *camera* issues? Not quite the same problem. The often troubling camera was a big problem in Blighttown, but as for framerate, I've had much worse problems in other areas. (Hard to be specific, except to say later in the game.)

    @Rajin, I'm with you on Demon's Souls being the better game over Dark Souls, if only just. Demon's Souls had a real elegance and symmetry about it, whereas, Dark Souls, while prettier and more expansive, has kind of an everything+kitchen sink vibe. Dark also has more camera issues, more cheap death per controller weirdness issues (and the aforementioned falls), some really off-tone voice acting (primordial serpent WTF?), a very odd structure overall that frequently necessitates LOTS of repetetive runs (killing the Firelink Shrine fire keeper was a supremely cheap shot that just wasted hours of my short life)... (By contrast, the sort of radial unfolding of new worlds in Demon's Souls was perfect balanced - challenging enough to keep you excited, but never leaving you a million miles from where you needed to be.)

    ...and worst of all - and I know I'll be called out as some sort of whimp for this - there are too many points in this game where I had to resort to a Wiki and came away thinking, "I'd have never found that otherwise, or it would have required an unacceptable amount of trial and error." By contrast, I got all the way through Demon's Souls without ever resorting to a spoiler, and the only upshot is that I didn't really know what the hell to do with half the souls, i.e. I missed out on some special weapons. That's how it should be: the totally obtuse stuff should be limited to bonus content, NOT the main course of the game.

    But for all this complaining, I adore Dark Souls and can't stop playing it. That's how good it is in every other regard.

  • darc #114 4 months ago

    @frazzl I think it boils down to "bugs" vs. "performance issues". And while "rimlag" could be classified as a mere performance issue, it prevented people from actually playing the game, and sometimes even culminated in system crashes. With Dark Souls, we're merely talking about a case of "doesn't feel quite right for a moment." It's apples to oranges.

    But for the record, I've only played the PC version of Skyrim, which is fine (even if, in my opinion, a tad dull... and featuring some supremely stupid menu design.) So take all of this w/ a grain of salt.

  • Dangerous_Dan #115 4 months ago

    @frazzl The thing about ambition is a good point. If I remember correctly some guy(s) at From stated they had not enough time and manpower to really put their vision all together. Certain aspects of the game like the Gravelord Covenant were actually not working pre patch 1.05 .
    This seems to be usually the crux with western RPGs a lot of times. Ambition and size are sometimes too much.

    Well and for the stabs at Bethesda, I think they should stay in Bethesda related threads if they are called for but I guess that's life. Everybody is sometimes a little trolling or gossiping although some excel at it. - what you gonna do...

    And for the praise which is showered in every thread. I guess if this game clicks with someone it's very often real love - haha - and that makes everybody a little blind.

  • Rajin #116 4 months ago

    @darc

    Completely agree, i am glad though that everyone on eurogamer acknowledges a sensible and well thought post/opinion without negging it completely down.

  • no_moto #117 4 months ago

    Take away his souls and throw him to the beginning of the level (just kidding; love the game).
    Edited by no_moto at 01/02/12 @ 18:37

  • craziii #118 4 months ago

    @rivuzu it never happens, they simply make excuses.

  • igirox #119 4 months ago

    What a drama queen. Hope he won't start acting all japanese now and commit suicide or something like that....
    Edited by igirox at 02/02/12 @ 09:24

  • TRUTH #120 4 months ago

    I not quiet sure how far into the game I am ? but I'm doing some grinding at the moment to beat the boss wolf with a sword !...Have noticed some frame rate but doesn't actually spoil the game as its not constant or often. I love the game for its mystery and unkown, though I wish finding upgrades for your weapons were made a little easier rather then grinding...I haven't gathered any Large Titanic Shred or Green Tanatic shrad for all the hours I put,in...This rea lly is annoying as it seems almost non existant. Love the game, love the challange, adventure, battles, mystery(though sometimes very easy to miss at times) and how the game community this game brings.

  • Dangerous_Dan #121 4 months ago

    @TRUTH - You don't have to grind necessarily. You can make it to Sen's Fortress with a +5 weapon and the needed titanite shards can be bought at a blacksmith. Maybe you're doing the more difficult areas too early.
    Later you can also buy large titanite shards and green ones.
    Edited by Dangerous_Dan at 02/02/12 @ 11:22