LONDON: This year, Dark Souls II makes its return, debuting on PS4 and Xbox One in the form of remastered edition Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin (it’s also coming to PC).
However, it’s not the only game From Software is bringing to players looking for a challenge; this month also marks the release of Bloodborne, a spiritual successor to the Souls franchise which, like Demon’s Souls, is only coming to PlayStation.
When Demon’s Souls launched on PS3 in Japan in 2009, no one expected it to be a smash hit. Especially as the game – created by acclaimed studio From Software – quickly became renowned for its tough difficulty.
“Our approach in 2009 was fairly conservative given the niche concept of the game,” admits Sony product marketing manager Joe Palmer.
“But Demon’s Souls helped to establish a big demand for these kinds of games.”
After proving a success in Japan, the title made its way to the West on the back of passionate campaigning from the community.
In 2011, it received a spiritual sequel – Dark Souls – that expanded the series onto Xbox 360 and PC, as well as returning to PS3. Like its predecessor, it was critically acclaimed, and sold more than 2.4m units worldwide.
This was followed by a full sequel, 2011’s Dark Souls II. The title was backed by a £1 million UK marketing campaign, which resulted in pre-orders rising by 50 per cent in comparison to the first game.
Scholar of the First Sin and Bloodborne are launching within weeks of each other, providing a perfect opportunity to fill shelves with related products.
“Bloodborne provides a great chance for us to tap into a highly engaged audience,” says Palmer.
