FromSoftware facts for kids
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Native name
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株式会社フロム・ソフトウェア
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Romanized name
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Kabushiki gaisha furomu sofutowea |
| Joint venture (kabushiki gaisha) | |
| Industry | Video games |
| Founded | November 1, 1986 |
| Founder | Naotoshi Zin |
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Japan
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Key people
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Number of employees
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397 (June 2023) |
FromSoftware, Inc. is a Japanese company that makes and publishes video games. It was started by Naotoshi Zin in Tokyo, Japan, on November 1, 1986. At first, they made computer programs for businesses.
Their first video game was King's Field, released for the PlayStation in 1994. This game was very popular in Japan. Because of its success, FromSoftware decided to focus only on making games. They made two more King's Field games. Then, in 1997, they created the Armored Core series. This series is about giant robots called mecha fighting each other. It became one of their most famous game series.
In the 2000s, FromSoftware released many other games. These included series like Echo Night, Shadow Tower, Lost Kingdoms, Otogi, and Another Century's Episode. The company became even more famous in the 2010s. This was thanks to games like Demon's Souls (2009) and Dark Souls (2011). Dark Souls was the first game in a very successful series. Its popularity led to a new type of action role-playing games called Soulslikes.
Other famous Soulslike games from FromSoftware include Bloodborne (2015), Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice (2019), and Elden Ring (2022). Many people think these games are some of the greatest video games of all time.
Hidetaka Miyazaki created the Dark Souls series. He became the president of FromSoftware in 2014. Naotoshi Zin, the founder, still works as an advisor. Miyazaki directs and designs most of the company's games. He also handles his duties as president. FromSoftware is mainly owned by Kadokawa Corporation. Other companies like Sixjoy Hong Kong (part of Tencent) and Sony Interactive Entertainment also own parts of it. FromSoftware usually publishes its games in Japan. For other countries, they work with partners like Agetec, Sony, and Bandai Namco Entertainment.
History of FromSoftware Games
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FromSoftware was founded in Tokyo, Japan, on November 1, 1986. Naotoshi Zin started the company to make business software. Their first game, King's Field, came out in 1994 for the PlayStation. It was a big hit in Japan. However, it wasn't released in other countries. The next game, King's Field II (1995), did come out in North America and Europe in 1996. After King's Field III in 1996, FromSoftware released other games. These included the horror game Echo Night and the role-playing game Shadow Tower in 1998.
In 1997, FromSoftware launched Armored Core. This was the first game in their well-known series about fighting with giant robots. This series became one of their main game franchises.
When the PlayStation 2 came out in 2000, FromSoftware released new role-playing games. These were Eternal Ring and Evergrace. In 2003, they published Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven. This was a stealth game with action and adventure. In 2004, FromSoftware bought the rights to the Tenchu series. They also released King's Field IV and Shadow Tower Abyss. For the GameCube, they made the Lost Kingdoms series.
Around this time, FromSoftware also made games just for the Xbox. Some of these were Murakumo: Renegade Mech Pursuit, Otogi: Myth of Demons, Otogi 2: Immortal Warriors, Metal Wolf Chaos, and Chromehounds. In 2005, they started making games based on popular anime shows. These games were part of the Another Century's Episode series.
FromSoftware became very successful in the 2010s. This was largely due to Demon's Souls (2009) and Dark Souls (2011). Dark Souls was the start of a series that became incredibly popular. Its success led to a new type of action role-playing game called "Soulslikes." Other games in this style include Dark Souls II (2014), Bloodborne (2015), Dark Souls III (2016), Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice (2019), and Elden Ring (2022). All these games have won many awards. They are often considered some of the best video games ever made.
In April 2014, a company called Kadokawa Corporation bought FromSoftware. The next month, Hidetaka Miyazaki, who created the Souls games, became the company's president. He was later given the title of representative director. In January 2016, FromSoftware opened a new studio in Fukuoka. This studio focuses on creating amazing computer graphics for their games.
In August 2022, two other companies bought parts of FromSoftware. Sixjoy Hong Kong (a company owned by Tencent) bought 16.25% of the company. Sony Interactive Entertainment bought 14.09%. This means Kadokawa still owns most of FromSoftware, with 69.66%. As of June 2023, FromSoftware had 397 employees.
Famous Games by FromSoftware
FromSoftware has created many memorable games over the years. Here are some of their most well-known series:
- King's Field (1994): This was their very first game. It was a fantasy role-playing game.
- Armored Core (1997): A popular series where players control giant fighting robots. The latest game in this series is Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon (2023).
- Demon's Souls (2009): This game started the "Soulslike" genre. It's known for its challenging combat and dark fantasy world.
- Dark Souls (2011): The first game in a famous trilogy. These games are known for their tough boss fights and deep stories.
- Bloodborne (2015): A gothic horror action RPG. It has fast-paced combat and a unique setting.
- Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice (2019): This game is set in feudal Japan. It focuses on intense sword fighting and stealth.
- Elden Ring (2022): Their most recent big hit. It's an open-world fantasy RPG. It won many "Game of the Year" awards.
See also
In Spanish: FromSoftware para niños
