Game of Thrones author George R. R. Martin would probably be quite surprised by how the world of Elden Ring - which he helped developer FromSoftware create a backstory for - actually turned out in the end.
That's according to Elden Ring game director Hidetaka Miyazaki, who has said that while Martin was part of the game's development in terms of laying foundations for its world-building, it was the studio's own narrative team that took what Martin devised and built upon it. In fact, there are instances where the team expanded on Martin's ideas so significantly that he may not recognize the final product.
Speaking to Game Informer, Miyazaki stated, "As a player walks through this world, [...] they have a very fragmented understanding of the lore, the surroundings, and the type of monsters, whereas I don't." This perspective allowed him to ensure that key moments, especially for those less familiar with the lore, were not overlooked. He emphasized the importance of integrating "the map and level design" of Elden Ring to provide guidance, helping players gather insights and piece together the intricacies of the world.
While Martin may be surprised by the transformation of his lore, Miyazaki expressed no regrets about the necessary adaptations, proudly noting that Elden Ring remains "in a league of its own." In 2022, Martin revealed he hadn't played the game, despite contributing to its backstory, although he previously expressed that the game looked incredible.
Regarding the forthcoming expansion, Shadow of the Erdtree, Miyazaki clarified that Martin did not provide new material for it. Instead, he stated, "The DLC is based on one part of that original mythos that he penned for us. It's not a brand new mythos that he's written specifically for Shadow of the Erdtree; it's simply another part of the original story that we thought fit to tell as a new expansion."
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