Which Japanese studio developed the original Dark Souls?

FromSoftware developed the original Dark Souls. The Tokyo-based Japanese studio created the game as a spiritual successor to Demon’s Souls, building another action RPG around demanding combat, atmospheric world design, and environmental storytelling.

FromSoftware had already made games in several genres before Dark Souls, but its modern international identity became strongly associated with this style of action RPG. The studio later developed Dark Souls II, Dark Souls III, Bloodborne, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, and Elden Ring.

A common mix-up is confusing the developer with the publisher. Namco Bandai Games published Dark Souls outside Japan, while FromSoftware was responsible for development. In Japan, the publishing arrangement involved FromSoftware and Namco Bandai Games.

The title is often discussed as part of the “Soulsborne” family, a fan term usually covering Demon’s Souls, the Dark Souls trilogy, and Bloodborne. FromSoftware’s role connects all of those games, although each has its own setting and mechanics.