FromSoftware

FromSoftware, Inc.
Native name
 株式会社フロム・ソフトウェア
Industry Video game industry
Founded November 1, 1986 (1986-11-01)
Headquarters Tokyo, Japan
Key people
Products Armored Core series
Souls series
Bloodborne
Number of employees
 262 (2016[2])
Parent Kadokawa Corporation
Website fromsoftware.jp/pc_en/

FromSoftware, Inc. (株式会社フロム・ソフトウェア Kabushikigaisha Furomu Sofutowea) is a Japanese video game company founded in November 1986, who are known primarily outside of Japan for being the developers of the Armored Core and Souls series, as well as Bloodborne.

History

FromSoftware was founded on November 1, 1986, and developed productivity software for the first several years of their existence. They released their first video game, titled King's Field, as a launch title for the PlayStation in 1994.[3] In April 2014, Kadokawa Corporation announced the intention to purchase the company from former shareholder Transcosmos. The deal was finalized on May 21, 2014.[4] FromSoftware expanded into a new studio in Fukuoka in October 2015, which began operations in January 2016.[5] The studio focuses on creating computer-generated imagery (CGI) assets for the games made by the Tokyo studio.[6]

In December 2015, FromSoftware was nominated for developer of the year at The Game Awards 2015, but lost to CD Projekt RED.[7] In April 2016, FromSoftware revealed that they were working on a new intellectual property, as well as stating their intent to return to the Armored Core series.[8]

Games

FromSoftware have developed for a wide range of platforms, including the Dreamcast, Nintendo DS, GameCube, PlayStation, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PlayStation Portable, Wii, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, and various mobile devices.

With fifteen titles developed, the Armored Core series is the studio's longest running franchise. The most recent title, Armored Core: Verdict Day was released worldwide in September 2013 for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Earlier, less notable outside Japan, titles include the Enchanted Arms, King's Field, Chromehounds, Otogi, and Tenchu series, all of which have been met with mostly favorable reviews.

In 2009, they released Demon's Souls for the PlayStation 3, which brought them international exposure. Its spiritual successor, Dark Souls, was released in 2011. In March 2014, Dark Souls II, was released, while Dark Souls III was released in 2016.[9] A title heavily inspired by the Souls series, Bloodborne, was released in March 2015.

These Souls titles, along with Bloodborne, all received widespread critical acclaim from both critics and general audience alike, as well as strong sales,[10][11][12] both domestically and internationally. They have also received a number of awards, primarily those for the role-playing game genre, from both professional critics and general audience, including multiple "RPG of the Year" and Game of the Year awards.[13][14][15][16]

References

  1. ↑ "FromSoftware About". Retrieved 13 March 2015.
  2. ↑ "About Us". careers.fromsoftware.jp (in Japanese).
  3. ↑ http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/03/16/the-history-of-from-software
  4. ↑ "From Software acquired by Japanese publisher Kadokawa Corporation". Retrieved 28 April 2014.
  5. ↑ "From Software to open new studio in Fukuoka". Gematsu. September 12, 2015.
  6. ↑ "FromSoftware to Establish New Studio in Fukuoka in October 2015". FromSoftware. Retrieved 25 June 2016.
  7. ↑ "Nominees | The Game Awards 2015". The Game Awards. Ola Balola. 12 November 2015. Retrieved 13 November 2015.
  8. ↑ Hillier, Brenna (April 27, 2016). "Dark Souls 3 director already working on a new IP". VG247. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
  9. ↑ "Dark Souls 3 confirmed, coming early 2016". Polygon. Retrieved 2 October 2015.
  10. ↑ Ben Dutka (2009-02-12). "Demon's Souls Caps Impressive First Week Of Sales In Japan". PSX Extreme. Retrieved 2010-03-17.
  11. ↑ May 8, 2014, Financial Highlights for the Fiscal Year Ended March 2014, NAMCO BANDAI Holdings Inc.
  12. ↑ May 7, 2014, Dark Souls II Ships 1.2 Million In U.S. And Europe, Siliconera
  13. ↑ den Ouden, Adriaan. "RPG of the Year". RPGamer. Retrieved 2010-03-26.
  14. ↑ Marchello, Sam. "Best Graphics". RPGamer. Retrieved 2010-03-26.
  15. ↑ Staples, Ken. "Best PS3". RPGamer. Retrieved 2010-03-26.
  16. ↑ "Community Choice Game of the Year". Game Revolution. December 23, 2011. Retrieved 31 December 2011.

External links

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