TIME magazine has released its 100 most influential people of 2023 list, and Hidetaka Miyazaki has been named among the world’s innovators. The Dark Souls creator is the only game developer on this year’s list.
The Most Influential People of 2023 list was published on April 13, with TIME magazine dividing the 100 members into several categories such as Titans, Pioneers, Leaders, and Artists.
Hidetaka Miyazaki made the Innovators list along with Disney CEO Bob Iger, actress Natasha Lyonne, and French football star Kylian Mbappé.
Neil Druckmann, co-president of Naughty Dog and one of the creators of The Last of Us, wrote a short piece about Miyazaki for TIME. He recalled felling miserable when first playing one of FromSoftware games before changing his approach. “As I moved forward in the game, I was much more deliberate, careful in how I explored this world,” Druckmann wrote. “And in return the world rewarded me with tension, beauty, and surprises.”
According to Druckmann, Elden Ring is a “great ambassador for video games” because it gives the player unique feelings that a passive medium cannot evoke.
Miyazaki’s games make the player feel accomplished and smart—and it’s all thanks to his and his team’s uncompromising approach. He refuses to overexplain the mechanics or the lore, but rather puts his trust in the player to figure it out on their own. co-president of Naughty Dog
Hidetaka Miyazaki is the second Japanese game developer to make the TIME100 list. In 2007, the magazine honored game designer Shigeru Miyamoto, best known for creating the Mario and The Legend of Zelda franchises.
Miyazaki has been with FromSoftware since 2004, starting his path as a game designer on the Armored Core series. His name became known across the globe following the success of the Dark Souls series, as well as games like Sekiro and Bloodborne. Miyazaki currently serves as the president of FromSoftware.
The company’s latest game, Elden Ring, was praised by both players and critics and won multiple industry rewards. As of February 2023, it has sold over 20 million units globally, becoming the fastest-selling title in the history of FromSoftware and publisher Bandai Namco.
Right now, the Japanese studio is working on the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion for Elden Ring, as well as Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon.