Our IGN First journey through FromSoftware culminated in the sound studio where Lead Composer Shoi Miyazawa creates the evocative scores that immerse players in The Lands Between and Limgrave. This interview explores his creative process for FromSoftware soundtracks, the director's musical direction for Nightreign, and Miyazawa's personal influences.
IGN: Let's begin with your entry into video game composition. Were you always passionate about gaming music?
Shoi Miyazawa - Lead Sound Designer on Elden Ring Nightreign:
The Armored Core series first captured my imagination. When Hoshino-san invited me to join FromSoftware, I jumped at the opportunity. Beyond Armored Core, childhood favorites like Ganbare Goemon and Secret of Mana shaped my musical sensibilities. The Castlevania series also significantly influenced my approach to composition.
Who are your musical inspirations beyond video game composers?
Artists like King Crimson and Marilyn Manson have profoundly impacted my work with their distinctive sonic palettes.
For projects like Elden Ring and Nightreign, how does the composition process begin? Do you work from concept art or specific creative directives?
The inspiration varies - sometimes we receive mood descriptions from directors, other times we work from concept art or narrative elements like boss backstories and battle arenas.
How did composing for Nightreign differ from the base Elden Ring experience?
As a spin-off, Nightreign needed to maintain Elden Ring's essence while forging its own identity. Extensive discussions with the director helped balance familiar elements with distinct musical motifs that stand apart from the Souls series.
What specific themes did the director emphasize for Nightreign's soundtrack?
The nocturnal setting inspired musical themes of isolation and displacement - capturing the loneliness and unease that accompany nighttime.
Which FromSoftware project challenged you most creatively?
Composing Consort Radahn's theme in Elden Ring remains particularly memorable. Working in dim lighting created an eerie atmosphere that organically influenced the piece. Another standout was "Takes Me Anywhere" from Armored Core VI - a passion project that finally materialized after years of development.
"I actually prefer composing in low-light environments."
How collaborative is music composition at FromSoftware?
Typically composers work independently on tracks while receiving input from colleagues. Nightreign represented a departure with multiple composers collaborating on certain pieces.
What inspired Libra: Creature of Night's distinctive theme?
Libra's character brief contained unusually specific musical directions emphasizing exoticism, madness, and demonic qualities. We accentuated the boss's thematic duality through stark musical contrasts.
How did you musically represent Nightreign's evolving day-night cycle?
The three-day structure demanded increasingly ominous compositions that reinforce the player's growing vulnerability as night approaches.
"We wanted music that communicates escalating danger."
Which musical moment are you most excited for players to experience?
The boss battle themes push creative boundaries further than ever before in our fantasy titles - something I hope players will appreciate.
Do you favor particular instruments in your compositions?
Digital composition tools remain fundamental to my process, allowing meticulous refinement down to individual notes.
What's your all-time favorite game?
Myst holds special significance - its atmospheric world and puzzle mechanics created lasting memories.
