Elden Ring director Hidetaka Miyazaki listed among Time’s 100 most influential people of 2023

Hidetaka Miyazaki was also praised by the Last of Us creator, Neil Druckmann.

Elden Ring director Hidetaka Miyazaki listed among Time’s 100 most influential people of 2023

Hidetaka Miyazaki is the president of FromSoftware and the creator of the Soulslike sub-genre. He has been named one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people of the year. This marks the second time a video game developer has made the prestigious list. The first instance of this was Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto in 2007. The Time 100 list recognizes individuals for their influence, regardless of popularity, fame, or power. Hidetaka Miyazaki joins other innovators on the list, such as Disney CEO Bob Iger and actor Natasha Lyonne.

Miyazaki is most well-known for his work on the Soulsborne series of games, which includes Demon’s Souls, Dark Souls, and Bloodborne. These games are notorious for their brutal difficulty, complex lore, and minimalistic storytelling. Miyazaki’s games have had a profound impact on the gaming industry, inspiring countless imitators and leading to the creation of the Soulslike sub-genre.

Miyazaki’s latest game, Elden Ring, released in February 2022, has been a massive success, selling 20 million copies as of February 2023.

Related: How to get the best ending in Elden Ring?

Neil Druckmann praises Hidetaka Miyazaki’s brilliance

Hidetaka Miyazaki

In his essay introducing Miyazaki, Neil Druckmann, co-creator of The Last of Us franchise, praised Elden Ring as “a great ambassador for video games” and Miyazaki’s approach to game design. Druckmann highlighted Miyazaki’s refusal to overexplain the mechanics or lore of his games. Miyazaki instead trusted players to figure it out on their own. This approach has led to a community of dedicated fans who are passionate about deciphering the mysteries of Miyazaki’s games.

Miyazaki’s inclusion on the Time 100 list is a significant milestone for the gaming industry. The gaming industry has often struggled to be taken seriously as an art form. However, video games have become increasingly popular and culturally relevant. Therefore, they have gained more recognition as an important medium of expression. Miyazaki’s games, in particular, have been praised for their artistic merit and their ability to elicit deep emotions in players.

In addition to Miyazaki, other familiar faces from pop culture who made the Time 100 list include Michael B. Jordan, Neil Gaiman, Doja Cat, Pedro Pascal, Jimmy “MrBeast” Donaldson, and Ke Huy Quan. The list features individuals from a wide range of fields, including politics, entertainment, sports, and technology.

Miyazaki’s inclusion on the Time 100 list is a testament to his impact on the gaming industry and his innovative approach to game design. As video games continue to gain mainstream acceptance, it is likely that we will see more game developers recognized for their contributions to the medium in the future.

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