Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is a new, dark and twisted gameplay experience developed by From Software, the Dark Souls, Armored Core and Bloodborne creators. Sekiro will allow players enter the brutal world of late 1500s Sengoku Japan - a bloody period of never-stopping life-and-death conflict. As the tension rises, a compelling new story will unfold amongst the uncontrolled, spreading chaos.
To the surprise of all, Sekiro won't be released by Bandai Namco, FromSoftware's Japanese business partner. This time, the studio has decided to team-up with Activision, the controversial publisher of the Call of Duty and Destiny games. FromSoftware's company president Hidetaka Miyazaki explained this unexpected decision and the partnership with Activision in a recent interview with Eurogamer.
According to Director Miyazaki, Activision is pretty much a perfect partner. "It also depends on that level of comfort and playability that comes with the rest of the game," says Miyazaki. "These things generally aren't our forte, but we do need some support, and Activision is providing that. One reason we're working with Activision is they hold our creative vision in the highest regard. From has editorial and directive control over the game and the game's contents; after you press the start button, it's all up to the From team."
"That said, we do need help with some things and we are getting advice from Activision, but they do 100 percent respect our vision and they do not want to mess with that core fanbase and that core gameplay concept," Miyazaki explained. Considering that Activision specializes in publishing mostly multiplayer-centered games, the collaboration with From is fascinating, as you're a lone hero in Shadows Die Twice's world and brining your friends to the party to help you is won't be an option.
In Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice you are the “one-armed wolf”, a disgraced and disfigured warrior rescued from the brink of death. Bound to protect a young lord who is the descendant of an ancient bloodline, you become the target of many vicious enemies, including the dangerous Ashina clan. When the young lord is captured, nothing will stop you on a perilous quest to regain your honor, not even death itself.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice will launch on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC in 2019.