It may be crazy to think about it now, but FromSoftware, the developer best known for the Souls series, Bloodborne and Sekiro once wasn’t focused on making these types of games exclusively.
In fact, before the release of Demon’s Souls back in 2009, FromSoftware was best known for their mech series, Armored Core. The series spans 15 games and was very popular for its time. I still remember playing almost all of the franchies's titles for the PlayStation 2. In between, FromSoftware also did other titles, like Metal Wolf Chaos, which is being prepped for a remaster by Devolver Digital.
However, in more recent times, FromSoftware also dabbled in virtual reality with the release of Déraciné just last year for the PlayStation VR. Directed by Hidetaka Miyazaki, best known for the Souls series, Déraciné tells a story about fairies in a somewhat realistic fantasy setting. It wasn’t as big of a success, and got a somewhat mixed reception from both players and critics.
It is not surprising that with this more mixed reception came a decision to stop development for other possible VR titles. Of course, critical reception wasn't the only decision to cancel future projects. Here’s what FromSoftware producer Masanori Takeuchi had to say about it, when asked about it during E3.
As highlighted by UploadVR in an exclusive with Destructoid, Takeuchi stated, “[i]t’s because when we did Déraciné, the hardware was actually a little more limiting than we expected.” Takeuchi further explained, saying “we couldn’t quite render and depict the things we wanted to using PSVR – just the hardware and the know-how we had at the time.”
This is not the first time that a developer spoke out with regards to the PlayStation VR’s limitations, especially when compared to PC’s offerings like the Vive and the Rift. Polyphony Digital, the studio behind the Gran Turismo series, also said the same. While these limitations are enough to ensure that there won’t be any more VR titles from FromSoftware in the foreseeable future, the developer stated that the upcoming new consoles may change this stance.
“So perhaps we’ll wait a little bit and see what happens with the PS5 or the next-gen hardware, and then see what sort of performance we can get from that, what we can render on that hardware, and then make a decision,” Takeuchi said.
At this point, I’m more of the opinion that if FromSoftware wants to create VR titles, they should look further into the PC market instead, despite the somewhat niche appeal for it when compared to the PlayStation VR.
FromSoftware’s next title, Elden Ring, will be making its way to the PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC at a still unknown date. It's probably safe to say this one will not get a VR port.
