UPDATE 2: After some concerns, Bandai Namco appears to have backpedaled a bit on their hardline declaration of Dark Souls III being the final Dark Souls game. While Dark Souls III aims to cap off the series’ lore up to this point, and is being billed as a finale that will probably leave the series dormant for a while after its release, Bandai Namco claims that there is always the potential to re-tool the Dark Souls brand into something wholly new after Dark Souls III. So, while the Dark Souls experience as you know it may be concluding with Dark Souls III, the spirit of Dark Souls will not be extinguished, and will probably return again as something new down the line.
UPDATE: While it wasn’t mentioned during the Xbox keynote, Bandai Namco has confirmed in a European press release for Dark Souls III that it will be the final game in the Dark Souls series. This is no doubt bittersweet news for fans, though Dark Souls III will hopefully be the kind of final chapter that this acclaimed franchise deserves.
Original story follows:
After several leaked promotional assets went public ahead of E3, Microsoft made the official announcement that Dark Souls III is real! Once again, the game will be developed by From Software, and published by Bandai Namco Games.
The game’s announcement was shown with a pre-rendered CG trailer, demonstrating a desolate landscape that has gnarled folks walking on sticks, seemingly heading towards a giant castle. As the familiar ominous tone of Dark Souls sets in, a large man with a giant cleaver is seen at the end of the preview, which then gives way to the logo. Dark Souls III was obviously only listed for Xbox One, seeing as this occurred during the Xbox media briefing, though sources also state that it will simultaneously release for PC and PlayStation 4.
The infamously punishing series of action-RPG’s from From Software has seen two highly successful previous installments, with Dark Souls II getting a next-gen upgrade on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One this past April, after initially debuting on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC in 2014. From Software is of course also riding high on the huge success of their recent PlayStation 4 exclusive, Bloodborne, which was made in a similar spirit as Dark Souls, right down to its high degree of challenge.
Dark Souls III is scheduled for release in early 2016. Keep braving Eggplante for all news and updates on the Dark Souls series.