FromSoftware Was ‘Definitely Very Happy’ With Switch 2 Reveal After Struggling to Run The Duskbloods on Original Hardware

FromSoftware, the acclaimed Japanese studio behind some of gaming’s most challenging and beloved titles, has revealed that the development team breathed a collective sigh of relief when Nintendo unveiled the Switch 2. According to legendary game director Hidetaka Miyazaki, the studio had been grappling with significant technical challenges while attempting to bring their upcoming multiplayer title, The Duskbloods, to the original Nintendo Switch hardware. The revelation offers a fascinating glimpse into the often-hidden struggles of game development and the crucial role that hardware capabilities play in shaping creative visions.

In a recent interview with The Verge, Miyazaki disclosed that The Duskbloods actually began its development journey back in 2021, initially targeting the original Switch console that launched in 2017. The base Switch, while revolutionary for its hybrid portable-home console design, features relatively modest specifications compared to its competitors, powered by a custom NVIDIA Tegra X1 processor. “We were definitely very happy when we heard about the Switch 2, because we were thinking, ‘How are we going to do this?'” Miyazaki candidly admitted. “The Switch 2 came along and all of those problems were solved.” This transition transformed The Duskbloods into a Switch 2 exclusive, allowing the development team to fully realize their ambitious vision without the constraints of aging hardware.

A History of Technical Challenges

FromSoftware’s struggles with the original Switch hardware are not entirely surprising given the studio’s history. The company has long been known for pushing graphical boundaries and creating expansive, detailed game worlds that demand significant processing power. Their previous titles, including the Dark Souls trilogy, Bloodborne, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, and the massively successful Elden Ring, have all been known for their intricate environments and complex enemy designs. While Dark Souls Remastered did eventually make its way to the original Switch in 2018, that port was handled by external studio Virtuos rather than FromSoftware directly, and even then, the game required significant visual compromises to run on the portable hardware.

The Switch 2, which Nintendo officially unveiled earlier this year, represents a substantial leap in processing capability over its predecessor. Industry analysts estimate the new console features significantly improved CPU and GPU performance, expanded RAM, and enhanced storage solutions. These improvements are essential for developers like FromSoftware who create games with demanding technical requirements, particularly for a multiplayer experience like The Duskbloods that requires stable frame rates and responsive controls to deliver fair competitive gameplay.

Nintendo Providing Unprecedented Support

Beyond the hardware improvements, Miyazaki revealed that Nintendo has been providing extensive support throughout the development process, particularly in areas where FromSoftware has historically struggled. “The Duskbloods is a challenging game for us,” Miyazaki explained. “There are a lot of new things in terms of designing the systems and the rules, and it requires a lot of fine-tuning and adjustments, and Nintendo has provided a lot of support in that regard.” Most notably, the collaboration has focused on improving player onboarding and tutorials—elements that FromSoftware games have been frequently criticized for neglecting. “Things like onboarding and tutorials for players are something that we are historically not great at, so the support they’ve provided in that regard has been very, very good,” Miyazaki acknowledged.

This admission represents a significant shift in philosophy for a studio whose games have become synonymous with throwing players into challenging situations with minimal guidance. From the cryptic item descriptions in Dark Souls to the deliberately obscured mechanics of Elden Ring, FromSoftware has built its reputation on rewarding player exploration and discovery. However, for a competitive multiplayer game like The Duskbloods, clear communication of rules and systems becomes essential for creating a fair and accessible playing field. The studio has also confirmed plans to implement skill-based matchmaking, further demonstrating their commitment to creating a balanced competitive environment that welcomes players of varying skill levels while still maintaining the challenging gameplay their fans expect.