George R. R. Martin’s initial ideas for Elden Ring changed so much that Hidetaka Miyazaki would be amazed by the final open-world RPG.

The universe of Elden Ring evolved dramatically from the initial concepts laid out by George R. R. Martin, leaving game director Hidetaka Miyazaki believing that Martin would be taken aback by the final product.

In a conversation, Miyazaki shared that while Martin contributed to the foundational world-building and some character backgrounds, it was FromSoftware’s narrative team that truly brought these elements to life within the game. He noted that the alterations made were so significant that Martin might not recognize the end result.

Miyazaki explained that his role is crucial because “as a player walks through this world, […] they have a very fragmented understanding of the lore, the surroundings, and the type of monsters, whereas I don’t.” With his comprehensive knowledge of the game and its universe, he aims to ensure that the key moments of the game “aren’t lost.” To achieve this, he integrates “the map and level design” to act as a guide, helping players gather information and piece together their understanding of the world.

While Martin has expressed that he thinks the game “looks incredible,” Miyazaki is confident in the success of his approach. By experimenting with the narrative framework provided by Martin, the game has transformed into an experience that he believes stands “in a league of its own,” even years after its release.

Miyazaki emphasizes that titles like Elden Ring and Dark Souls focus not just on increasing difficulty but on doing so in a fair manner.