Hidetaka Miyazaki has confirmed that The Duskbloods has no connection to Bloodborne. With the game’s dark setting and the word “Blood” in its title, many fans expected a link to Bloodborne. Miyazaki says that isn’t the case. “I almost regret putting the word ‘Blood’ in the title,” he said, explaining that the two games only share some similar terms and concepts, while their themes are very different. He also said the differences will become much clearer in the full release, when more of The Duskbloods’ world and lore are revealed.

Hayao Miyazaki said that love is two people inspiring each other to live. And to live doesn't just mean to be alive. Living involves finding beauty in the simple moments of being. So to inspire someone to be in awe of the simplicity of living. And I don't think I could articulate it any better than that.

FromSoftware president Hidetaka Miyazaki has made it clear that the studio will continue focusing on creativity instead of making “safe” sequels just to satisfy investors. He believes that giving developers the freedom to create what they are passionate about is key to making truly valuable games. “We are able to freely create the games we want to make without excessive interference,” Miyazaki said, adding that maintaining this environment is important for delivering “truly valuable games.” Miyazaki wants future entries in series like Elden Ring or Bloodborne to happen because the team has strong ideas for them.

The Duskbloods takes some ideas from tabletop RPGs, according to FromSoftware director Hidetaka Miyazaki. Miyazaki said that “some parts of The Duskbloods are very similar to a lot of RPG elements you might find in a tabletop RPG.” The game is not just about fighting other players. You can earn Virtue by completing side objectives, defeating mini-bosses, and taking control of areas on the map. There is also a Sigil system that can create different relationships and objectives between players. One Sigil lets you propose to another player with a bouquet of flowers. They can accept it or attack you.

Despite Elden Ring becoming FromSoftware’s biggest success, Hidetaka Miyazaki says the studio still doesn’t make games for a specific audience. “We don’t really have a set audience in mind at the start. It’s very much showing that this is what I wanted to make; the motivation is that this is a game I want to see exist.” Miyazaki also says FromSoftware has not moved away from single-player games. The recent focus on multiplayer with Elden Ring Nightreign and The Duskbloods simply lined up that way. “At the end of the day, our motivation is always to just make a game that we want to play, something we’ve been wanting to make.”

FromSoftware says Nintendo has been helping make The Duskbloods easier for new players to understand. Hidetaka Miyazaki admitted that FromSoftware games have often thrown players into the action and expected them to figure things out themselves. According to Miyazaki, Nintendo has been giving the team feedback and ideas, while also helping with balancing and explaining how the game works. “We’ve definitely just dropped players in and hoped they would figure it out.”