Demon's Souls
News, coverage and analysis tracking Demon's Souls across the outlets.
Latest coverage
Game History and Preservation
The Atari ST Public Floppy Database has been launched as an online archive, making classic games and homebrew titles accessible. This initiative aims to preserve the history of the Atari ST platform. A prototype video for Demon's Souls was also mentioned.
Newly discovered Demon's Souls prototype footage reveals a scrapped first-person mode
Newly discovered footage from a 2007 developer presentation reveals that Demon's Souls originally had a selectable first-person mode. Dataminer Lance McDonald found the prototype gameplay, which also showed differences in the third-person camera controls and cut content like snake-headed enemies.
FromSoftware sleuth unearths earliest footage of Demon's Souls to date: A prototype with a first person camera mode
Investigator Lance McDonald has uncovered early internal footage of FromSoftware's Demon's Souls, dating back to a 2007 Sony event. This prototype features a first-person camera mode, a locked player model camera, and enemies not present in the final release. The footage provides a fascinating glimpse into the game's development and its potential to be a very different experience.
Newly Discovered Demon's Souls Prototype Footage Shows Scrapped First-Person Option
Newly discovered footage from a 2007 presentation reveals that Demon's Souls originally had a scrapped first-person perspective option. The footage was shared by dataminer Lance McDonald, who is also known for his work on Elden Ring.
Rare Demon's Souls prototype shows off first-person perspective, unused enemies that could have rewritten Dark Souls history: "Like watching the mona lisa being painted"
A rare 2007 prototype presentation for Demon's Souls, developed by Japan Studio and FromSoftware, has revealed early concepts including a first-person perspective and unused enemies. The prototype showcased the game's potential for photorealistic graphics and highlighted the importance of online connectivity, drawing parallels to FromSoftware's later titles like Dark Souls and Elden Ring.
The Soulslike genre has grown stale after Elden Ring, and only FromSoftware can take it to strange new places
The article argues that the Soulslike genre has become stagnant since Elden Ring, with many developers iterating on FromSoftware's formula without significant innovation. It suggests that only FromSoftware itself can revitalize the genre by taking it in new, unexpected directions, potentially by shifting focus from open-world expansiveness to deeper mechanics or by embracing a more distinct aesthetic like anime.
Former Sony exec Shuhei Yoshida is 'a huge fan' of Bloodborne, says it's 'a complete mystery'…
Former Sony executive Shuhei Yoshida expressed his strong desire for Bloodborne and its expansion, The Old Hunters, to receive a PlayStation 5 version or a PC release, calling the lack of action a 'complete mystery'. Yoshida, a self-proclaimed 'huge fan', highlighted the game's popularity and questioned why Sony and FromSoftware haven't capitalized on it, especially given Sony's history of releasing remasters.
There's a timeline where Dark Souls was a PlayStation exclusive, but Sony lost out on the chance because it wouldn't publish Demon's Souls in North America
Former Sony Interactive Entertainment executive Shuhei Yoshida revealed that Sony declined to publish Demon's Souls in North America, leading FromSoftware to partner with Bandai Namco for Dark Souls. This decision meant Sony missed out on publishing the Souls series, though they later secured Bloodborne. The article analyzes the impact of this publishing decision on the game industry and PlayStation's relationship with FromSoftware.
Former PlayStation Executive Hopes Bloodborne Comes to PS5 or PC Some Day
Former PlayStation executive Shuhei Yoshida expressed his confusion and hope regarding the lack of a PlayStation 5 or PC port for Bloodborne. He noted that while Sony releases many remasters, Bloodborne remains unavailable on modern platforms, and he theorizes director Hidetaka Miyazaki may be hesitant to let others work on it. Rumors of a Bluepoint Games remake pitch were also mentioned, though FromSoftware reportedly opposed it.
"I should have listened properly to Miyazaki": Ex PlayStation boss admits giving FromSoftware "the lowest number possible" for physical copies of Demon's Souls after getting stuck in its "demanding" starting area
Former PlayStation boss Shuhei Yoshida admitted to making a significant mistake with Demon's Souls by underestimating its potential and requesting the lowest possible number of physical copies. This lack of support for FromSoftware's challenging title led Sony to reject signing Dark Souls. Yoshida reflected on his initial difficulty with the game's demanding nature and opaque systems, contrasting it with his later appreciation for the Soulslike genre, even achieving a platinum trophy in Bloodborne.
Evening Reading - July 20, 2026
This edition of Shacknews Evening Reading covers various gaming news, including reviews for EA Sports College Football 27 and Backyard Baseball, and updates on Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves and Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls. It also touches on rumors about the Nintendo Switch 2 and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, a discussion about favorite Grand Theft Auto games, and Microsoft's agreement to use AMD AI infrastructure.
PS5 fans fast-track PC emulation in response to Sony ditching physical games
In response to Sony's move towards an all-digital future, PlayStation 5 emulation efforts on PC have accelerated. Recent progress includes booting exclusive titles like Astro Bot and Demon's Souls on PC using experimental emulators such as SharpEmu. These developments are seen as a win for game preservationists, allowing games to remain playable even if official support is withdrawn.
Black Flag Resynced should have followed Resident Evil 4's lead – risks make a remake stronger
This article analyzes Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag Resynced, arguing that while it's a fun remake, it missed an opportunity to innovate like Resident Evil 4 Remake. The author suggests that a greater willingness to take risks and iterate on the original's design, rather than strictly adhering to faithfulness, would have resulted in a stronger product. The piece contrasts Black Flag Resynced with successful remakes like Resident Evil 4 and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, which used the original as a springboard for creative new takes.
There Is No Reason To Buy Another PlayStation Or Xbox
The author argues that upcoming PlayStation and Xbox consoles will be too expensive and lack compelling reasons to purchase, especially with the shift to digital-only distribution. Concerns are raised about the impact on the used games market, accessibility for players with poor internet, and the overall viability of the console market as attention shifts to mobile and other forms of entertainment.
Legendary former Tekken boss says people don't 'properly evaluate' Hidetaka Miyazaki's…
Former Tekken producer Katsuhiro Harada believes Hidetaka Miyazaki's unique career path and FromSoftware's gradual growth are often overlooked in favor of sales figures. Harada highlighted Miyazaki's late entry into game development and the studio's consistent refinement of its craft through titles like Demon's Souls and Dark Souls, leading to the success of Elden Ring. He also noted that Miyazaki's humility about his own skills is a common trait among successful developers.
Stop judging games by their sales figures, says Tekken's Katsuhiro Harada: “That’s exactly what you’d expect from someone who’s never actually developed games"
Katsuhiro Harada, former face of Tekken and current CEO of SNK VS Studio, argues against judging games solely by their sales figures. He highlights Hidetaka Miyazaki's career path, emphasizing how FromSoftware's earlier, less successful titles paved the way for the massive success of the Dark Souls series and Elden Ring. Harada criticizes those who cannot appreciate developer growth and suggests this narrow view is typical of individuals without game development experience.
Dark Souls isn't "an especially difficult game," former Tekken boss says – it's in its world where FromSoftware boss Hidetaka Miyazaki's "true creativity shines through"
Former Tekken lead Katsuhiro Harada believes Dark Souls' true strength lies not in its difficulty, but in Hidetaka Miyazaki's creative world-building. Harada describes Miyazaki as a unique and serious developer whose obsessive approach to creativity shines through in the intricate worlds of FromSoftware's games, including Dark Souls and Elden Ring.
Weekend Discussion - July 5, 2026
This Weekend Discussion article from July 5, 2026, touches on various gaming topics including Demon's Souls, the World Tendency system, ammo counters, and the eerie atmosphere of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. It also features music recommendations and highlights recent Shacknews articles.
I usually skip souslikes not made by FromSoftware, but one Steam demo just won me over
The soulslike game Prison of Husks, currently in demo on Steam, has impressed a reviewer who typically avoids non-FromSoftware titles. Its retro PlayStation 1-inspired visuals, blending Demon's Souls atmosphere with Sekiro-like combat, and its action-focused mechanics set it apart. The game also runs well on the Steam Deck and is planned for release this year.
"This is just the start" - Housemarque responds to Saros' slower sales versus Returnal's, and compares itself to one of the most beloved studios around
Housemarque's Mikael Haveri and Ilari Kuittinen addressed the slower initial sales of their latest game, Saros, compared to Returnal. They believe Saros, like Returnal, will gain traction over time and are committed to supporting it with updates. The studio draws parallels to FromSoftware's journey, aiming to educate the market on their niche bullet hell and roguelike action titles and build a dedicated fanbase.
