FromSoftware was founded in 1986 in Japan and started out as a developer of productivity software before moving into the video game industry. ¹⁾

The first Dark Souls game was released in 2011 as a spiritual successor to the 2009 game Demon's Souls. ²⁾

The series is known for its challenging difficulty, intricate world-building, and dark fantasy atmosphere. ³⁾

The game's creator, Hidetaka Miyazaki, was inspired by Western fantasy novels and mythology, as well as the works of H.P. Lovecraft. ⁴⁾

Miyazaki has cited the 1997 game King's Field, which was also developed by FromSoftware, as a major influence on the design of Dark Souls. ⁵⁾

The game's central mechanic, the bonfire, serves as both a checkpoint and a way to respawn enemies and is meant to symbolize the player character's struggle against the inevitability of death. ⁶⁾

The game's world is connected through a complex web of interlocking areas and shortcuts, which encourages exploration and rewards players who are able to navigate its labyrinthine paths. ⁷⁾

The game's online multiplayer system allows players to leave messages for each other, summon allies to help with difficult bosses, or invade other players' worlds and engage in PvP combat. ⁸⁾

The game's lore is conveyed primarily through item descriptions and environmental details, encouraging players to piece together the story themselves. ⁹⁾

The game's “Prepare to Die” edition, which was released for PC in 2012, was criticized for its poor port quality but has since been patched and improved by the community. ¹⁰⁾

The series has inspired a dedicated fanbase who create lore theories, cosplay, and even musical covers of the game's iconic boss themes. ¹¹⁾

The game's difficulty has been both praised for its challenge and criticized for its potential to alienate players who are not prepared for it. ¹²⁾

The series has since spawned two direct sequels, Dark Souls II and III, as well as numerous spiritual successors and spin-offs such as Bloodborne and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. ¹³⁾

The game's iconic “Praise the Sun” gesture was popularized by the character Solaire of Astora, who became a fan favorite due to his cheerful demeanor and helpful role in the game. ¹⁴⁾

The game's success has cemented FromSoftware's reputation as a developer of challenging and atmospheric games that prioritize player agency and exploration. ¹⁵⁾