FromSoftware games like Elden Ring, Sekiro, and the Dark Souls trilogy are known for their challenging boss battles that can be unexpectedly comedic. There are moments when players experience unbelievably bad luck or when enemies ragdoll in a ridiculous manner after defeating them. The studio’s creative director, Hidetaka Miyazaki, has mentioned that while some areas are designed to be funny, the intention is not to make the games “funny” per se, which often results in even more humor being derived from the gameplay experience.
Miyazaki explained in an interview with Eurogamer that certain parts of the games that were created with seriousness or from a dark place are often misconstrued as humorous by players. For example, repeatedly getting squashed by a giant monkey can evoke a sense of almost defeated amusement. The unintentional humor in FromSoftware games is not something that is deliberately calculated by the developers. Instead, it arises from the player’s interpretation of the game and the environment in which they are playing.
The phenomenon of finding humor in intense and challenging gaming moments may stem from the human tendency to produce an opposing emotional response as a way to regulate intense emotions. Similar to how people may experience happy-crying or nervous laughter, the unintentional comedy in FromSoftware games serves as a way for players to cope with the stress and tension of difficult encounters. Miyazaki acknowledged that a lot of the humor in the games is not intentional and is a result of how players engage with the game world.
In addition to discussing the unintentional comedy in FromSoftware games, Miyazaki also shared details about Elden Ring’s upcoming Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, describing it as the studio’s largest expansion to date. Despite the challenging nature of their games, FromSoftware manages to consistently deliver great gaming experiences by empowering and retaining talent within the development team. This focus on talent and creativity allows the studio to continue producing highly acclaimed titles that resonate with players worldwide.
The unintentional comedy found in FromSoftware games adds an extra layer of enjoyment to the challenging gameplay experiences that the studio is known for. While the developers may not set out to create humorous moments, the organic nature of player interactions with the game world often leads to unexpected laughter and amusement. This unique blend of intensity and humor is a hallmark of FromSoftware games and contributes to their lasting appeal in the gaming community.
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