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Praise the Sun: Dark Souls Steamworks update now available
Following a short delay, developer From Software has issued an update for the PC's Dark Souls Prepare to Die Edition that replaces its native Games for Windows Live functionality with a full suite of Steamworks components. Additionally, from now until February 16, 2015, players will be able to transfer and update their original Dark Souls saves and achievements from Games for Windows Live to the new Steamworks version of the game. A full walkthrough on how to transfer your existing data is available on Steam. After February 16, the Steamworks version of Dark Souls Prepare to Die Edition will become the default version of the game and save transfers will no longer be possible. [Image: Bandai Namco]
Dark Souls' Steam migration delayed, prepare to die next month
Dark Souls PC owners can throw another log on the bonfire, because they have to wait until December for the game to transition over to Steam. Namco Bandai says it's finalizing the nuts and bolts of moving the action-RPG from Games for Windows Live to Steam, and more testing means the company's targeting the transition for next month rather than this one. In its original announcement, Namco said owners will be able to redeem Dark Souls on Steam by using their GFWL tokens at no extra cost. Saves and achievements can survive the journey during a short migration period, but GFWL rankings will be flattened by a figurative cannonball rolling down a metaphorical staircase.
Praise the sun: Dark Souls PC moving from GFWL to Steam next month
The Windows PC version of Dark Souls will transition from the moribund Games for Windows Live platform to Steam next month, publisher Bandai Namco Games announced this week. Starting in November, players who purchase Dark Souls: Prepare to Die Edition will be able to redeem their Games for Windows Live Tokens on Steam. Existing save data and achievements will also transfer over to user Steam accounts during a brief migration period next month, though Games for Windows Live Rankings will not survive the trip. Bandai Namco notes that Dark Souls' transition will kick off "sometime in November 2014 with more specific dates to come." [Image: Bandai Namco]
Joystiq Tiny Streams: Returning to the nasty roots of Dark Souls
Three years is plenty of time to heal most wounds, but Dark Souls cuts deep. With Dark Souls 2 finally in our hands, our memories loom large. Was the first Souls joint from Bandai Namco and From Software really that demanding? Did it really punish us so much that difficulty defined it in our minds? Have our skills dulled in the months since? Joystiq's Sinan Kubba, in preparation for his review of Dark Souls 2, waded back into those murky waters and found that his experiences had stuck with him. As evidenced by this Tiny Stream, Sinan's senses are still keenly attuned to Souls' mean tricks. Even when he's prepared, though, the game still manages to get in some licks. [Images: Bandai Namco]
Dark Souls modder introduces first-person punishment
YouTuber Soul Slasher has come up with a way to make Dark Souls a more classic RPG experience in the vein of King's Field, by switching the player perspective from third-person to first-person. Soul Slasher explains in the video above that this effect was accomplished through the use of several third-party programs, including his own custom HUD mod. Unfortunately, this first-person mod isn't available to the general adventuring public. Dark Souls is an open-world action game developed at From Software categorized by its extreme difficulty and minimalist plot. Its sequel, Dark Souls 2, is slated to launch in March 2014.
Dark Souls art book wreaks beautiful havoc in October
If you survived long enough to appreciate the twisted, melancholy beauty of Dark Souls, maybe prepare to buy Udon's art book. After releasing Dark Souls: Design Works in Japan last year, the comic book studio is bringing an English version to North America in October. The 128 pages of the 8.25"x11.75" hardcover book span the game's worlds, characters, weapons, and monsters, including concept art and sketches. Design Works also features interviews with director Hidetaka Miyazaki and various From Software artists. If you're looking for something to tide you over until March 2014, Dark Souls: Design Works has a list price of $40, although at the time of publishing Amazon is selling it for $29. %Gallery-190281%
DarkStalkers Resurrection and Dark Souls for $10 on Xbox Live this week
The word of the week on Xbox Live is "dark," evidently, as both DarkStalkers Resurrection and the Games on Demand version of Dark Souls are heavily discounted until June 4. You can pick up either game for $10. The marketplace also has Ghost Recon: Future Soldier for $15, along with some discounted DLC for the tactical shooter. We realize that one doesn't have "dark" in the title, but it does have "ghost." Both DarkStalkers and Dark Souls have ghosts in them, so it makes sense, see? PSN is running a DarkStalkers Resurrection deal of its own as well. Pick up Resurrection for $15 and you'll get a free download of the excellent Super Puzzle Fighter 2 Turbo HD Remix. PlayStation Plus members can get the same deal for only $10.49. This promotion also runs until June 4.
Decaying Dark Souls and an interest killed with kindness
Welcome to The Level Grind, a column that asks questions about game design and industry culture from the perspective of a game player. A few weeks ago I wrote about Dark Souls and how my initial impression of the game was, for the lack of a better term, "wrong." I'd given the game another shot after some convincing from a friend, and since the fanatical position on the game's brilliance had transitioned from boil to simmer.It's easy to say I fell in love with Dark Souls, yet weeks have passed and I haven't played the game at all. Though my time was focused on other games for review, I wondered why the urge to delve deeper into From Software's complex world had subsided after my gushing editorial. What I've come to realize is that kindness is to blame.%Gallery-165957%
Dark Souls claimed nearly 2.4 million sales worldwide
2,367,000 people made good on their preparations to die in Dark Souls. As livedoor reports, From Software announced the latest global sales figures for the 2011 deathtrap at a recent press conference. Around half a million purchases came from Japan, the studio revealed, with the other 1.85 million or so made up from North America and Europe.Copies which included the 'Artorios of the Abyss' DLC released last year comprised just under 700,000 sales. As ShackNews reports, according to Namco Bandai VP Carlson Choi the PC version represents "over 300,000" of that figure.While Demon's Souls proved a surprise hit when Atlus brought it to North America, Dark Souls' sales performance may explain why its follow-up warrants a '2' tacked onto it rather than a new moniker. Even if it should be called Dragon's Souls...
Getting Dark Souls all wrong
This is Making Time, a column about the games we've always wanted to play, and the games we've always wanted to play again. When Dark Souls first launched in October 2011, I picked it up immediately. Though that statement may seem to be tied to my love of the game's spiritual predecessor, the truth is I've never touched Demon's Souls. It was the rampant fan excitement for a new entry in From Software's action-RPG that drew me in. But Dark Souls didn't resonate with me.It was a combination of elements that made it easy for me to shelve my copy: the continuous discussion of its incredible difficulty and the "if you don't like it, you don't get it" attitude from fanatics. I never planned to play Dark Souls again.Early this morning, I wrapped up my fifth hour of the game on Xbox 360, after putting three-plus hours in on the (only worth playing with fan-made fixes) PC version. Dark Souls' hooks are firmly embedded under my skin.%Gallery-130900%
Games for Windows Live issue kicks customers offline for four days
An issue with Microsoft's Game for Windows Live servers is preventing some customers from accessing games that use the software. The ever-growing comment thread on Microsoft's support forums repeatedly mentions difficulties with Dark Souls and Age of Empires Online, but that could simply be due to the popularity of those games."Starting from last night - some of our users are experiencing an issue connecting, in game, to games that they have previously had no issues with. We are aware of this issue and are looking into what is causing it and for a resolution," noted a Microsoft moderator prior to the weekend.Workarounds to the issue appear to be inconsistent, and don't seem to guarantee the problem will be resolved. We'll update if we hear about a resolution.
Dark Souls is $27 this weekend on Steam
Dark Souls: Prepare to Die Edition is the weekend deal on Steam, cutting the masochistic experience by 33 percent to $26.79. You may be used to Steam deals dropping game prices deeper, but consider the price punishment an appetizer for what's to come.The million seller franchise earned a spot in our Joystiq top ten for 2011 for being the Stockholm syndrome experience of the year.%Gallery-152982%
Dark Souls PC on sale for $19.90 on Amazon
PC download codes for Dark Souls: Prepare to Die Edition are on sale for $19.90 on Amazon. The code includes the full version of the game along with the Artorias of the Abyss expansion.The Artorias of the Abyss DLC was recently made available on Xbox Live and PSN for $15. The Prepare to Die Edition PC code requires a Steam account for activation.
Dark Souls DLC lands on PSN/XBLM October 24 in Europe [update: October 23 for NA]
The Dark Souls 'Artorias of the Abyss' downloadable content is coming to Xbox Live Marketplace and PlayStation Network on October 24 in Europe and Australasia. The DLC contains the additional content of the Prepare to Die edition recently released on PC. It will cost 1200 MSP on XBLM, and $14.99 on PSN.For those who view downloads on the same level of an invading player robbing them of all their souls, a Prepare to Die retail edition for consoles is headed to Europe and Australasia on October 26. There remains no word on it being brought to North America.Update: We have an update on the Dark Souls Facebook page, albeit a confusingly worded one. When deciphered, it seems to indicate the Artorias of the Abyss DLC is coming to North America on October 23. It reads: DARK SOULS : Artorias of The Abyss Dark Souls®: Prepare to Die Edition™ is coming to consoles and will be available for purchase via digital download on both the PlayStation®Network and Xbox LIVE® on : October 23, 2012 in North America October 24, 2012 in Europe Dark Souls: Artorias of the Abyss will include sprawling new maps and environments, new boss characters, enemies, non-player characters (NPCs), an arsenal of new weapons and armor and additional challenging content for unrelenting heroes to face as they return to the deadly world of Lordran. Darkness born in the forests of Oolacile is expanding and engulfing the kingdom and all of its people. Only the strongest players will be able to stop the encroaching darkness. Dark Souls: Artorias of the Abyss will include an online match-making feature allowing console gamers to showcase their skills against other Dark Souls players around the world. October 24 matches up with the European date for the DLC. Given that, we think the update means to say the additional content from the Prepare to Die edition i.e. the Artorias DLC is coming to XBLM and PSN on October 23 in North America. Of course, we can't discount this being another nefarious Dark Souls puzzle designed to lull us into a false sense of security. So we're off to find a bonfire. Don't wait up. %Gallery-165957%
Namco: Dark Souls developer's 'easy mode' comments were mistranslated
After comments from Dark Souls director Hidetaka Miyazaki spread across the web like a Great Chaos Fireball, Namco appears to be doing some damage control. In an interview with Metro, Miyazaki's comments – as they were originally translated – hinted at the possibility of creating an easier difficulty mode for the notoriously tough Dark Souls, or at least doing a better job of helping players understand "the messages behind our difficult games."Namco contacted Metro saying that Miyazaki's quotes were mistranslated, and in fact he made no mention of decreasing the difficulty at all. According to Namco, what he actually said was, "I am thinking about how to make everyone complete the game while maintaining the current difficulty and carefully send all gamers the messages behind it." This, says Namco, was the "true intention" behind Miyazaki's statement.For its part, Metro admits (as it did in the original interview article) that the translation "wasn't very good." Still, the outlet states that "the sentence in question always seemed pretty unambiguous."
Dark Souls creator ponders easier mode, idea of satisfying gameplay
Dark Souls director Hidetaka Miyazaki says he wants his games to be described as "satisfying rather than difficult." Speaking with Metro, Miyazaki considers whether he should make another difficulty mode so everyone can complete the notoriously challenging game."However, I suppose gamers do not particularly prefer easy games. What they want is interesting and worthwhile games to play, so I think it is natural that hindrance or stress that does not attribute to such interesting and worthwhile elements will be removed in the end," says Miyazaki. "If the number of easy games is increasing nowadays, I guess it is because difficulty is not related to interesting and worthwhile game elements in many games among players."Dark Souls – despite or because of its oppressive difficulty – has sold over a million units globally and greatly contributed to Namco Bandai's fiscal fortitude.
Boxed Dark Souls: Prepare to Die Edition heads to consoles October 26 in Europe, Australasia
Dark Souls: Prepare to Die Edition will be released as a boxed product for consoles, Namco Bandai has announced. Launched (and modded!) this week on PC, the Prepare to Die Edition features all of the original Dark Souls content along with a new expansion called "Artorias of the Abyss" and brand new PVP matchmaking. This new console edition will launch in Europe and Australasia on October 26. For those who already own Dark Souls on console, the new content is slated for a downloadable release as well.We've contacted Namco Bandai to see if the retail edition is headed to North America as well.
Dark Souls PC requirements make sure you're prepared to die
Dark Souls: Prepare to Die Edition is set to hit Steam on August 24, but before you ready your deathbed, make sure you actually can expire. Steam lists the following PC requirements for Prepare to Die Edition:OS: Windows XP , Windows Vista, Windows 7, or newerProcessor: 2.6 GHz Dual-CoreMemory: 1 GB (XP), 2GB (Vista/7)Hard Disk Space: 4 GBVideo Card: 512 MB RAM, ATI Radeon 4850 or higher, NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT or higherDirectX®: 9.0cSound: Direct Sound CompatibleSteam also says "multiplayer requires microphone headset support," but that isn't true, Namco Bandai tells Eurogamer. Prepare to Die Edition will not support in-game chat at all, it turns out.The PC version comes with a new expansion, Artorias of the Abyss, which features an untold chapter in the world of Lordran. The expansion will be sold as DLC for PS3 and Xbox 360 versions this winter.
Dark Souls fans can 'Prepare to Die' on Steam and consoles
The additional content in the PC version of Dark Souls will be released as DLC for the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions "this winter," IGN reports. The expansion, called "Artorias of the Abyss," will cost $15 through the consoles' respective marketplaces.There's also good news for those planning to buy the PC "Prepare to Die Edition" in August. Namco Bandai informed IGN that the game will be released not just on Games for Windows Live, but on Steam as well, negating the need for any further petitioning.[Thanks, Logan!]
Namco Bandai has solid fiscal year thanks to Dark Souls, arcade sales
Namco Bandai saw a net income of 1.9 billion yen ($24 million) in its fiscal year 2012, with help from strong US sales of Dark Souls and Ace Combat Assault Horizon. Dark Souls sold 1.19 million units across the US and Europe, while Ace Combat Assault Horizon sold 1.07 million units in Japan, the US and Europe.Across all platforms, Namco sold 23.3 million software units, led by 8.5 million for PS3, 4.2 million for PSP and 3.2 million for Xbox 360. Revenue from Namco's mobile sector increased, although number of paid subscribers dropped from 3.34 million to 2.15 million year-over-year. Sales of Namco's arcade game machines grew from 56 billion yen ($701.3 million) in FY 2011 to 73.4 billion yen ($919.2 million) in FY 2012.
