AlthoughFromSoftwareis working hard onThe Duskbloods, it still feels like fans are hungry for the next single-player, PvE-focused Soulsborne title. While novel,NightreignandThe Duskbloodsfeel like experimental stopgaps rather than Miyazaki’s next muse. As such, people have been hunting for what could be the next mind-blowing project.
With a recent leak,many have discovered the codename of an in-progress project that FromSoftware is working onoutside the limelight. It’s safe to assume that this isn’tThe Duskbloods, since its official name has been revealed, and many believe it to be aDark Soulstitle based on FromSoftware’s prior codenaming conventions. This title could even be the same game rumored to be remastered soon:Dark Souls 3.
FromSoftware’s Codename For Its Next Project Has Been Leaked
And It Is Probably Going To Be Dark Souls 3 Remastered
According toMp1st,FromSoftware’s next, secret project is codenamed FMC and is currently in development. FromSoftware’s codenames beginning with’F’typically correlate toDark Soulstitles. For instance,DS1 Remasteredis FHD,DS2is FRPG2, and the originalDS3is FDP, so in theory, FMC would fit in as anotherDark Soulstitle, although it probably won’t be anything new like a sequel or spin-off.
Dark Soulsis a spiritual sequel toDemon’s Souls, which was remade by Bluepoint Games.
Last year,rumors surfaced thata remaster of Dark Souls 3was in development.With theDStrilogy feeling relatively complete, although I couldn’t tell you what happens inDark Souls 2, it makes sense that FromSoftware is behindthis remaster. This is a little disappointing for those calling forDark Souls 4or something similar, butDark Souls 3is nearly ten years old, and younger games have had remasters. This codename seems to fit theDS3remastered rumors a little too well to be a coincidence.
To play devil’s advocate,there is a chance that this project is also anotherArmored Core, after FromSoftware brought the series back withone of the best mech games ever,Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon.Armored Core 6’s codename was FNR and FMC would fit this too.Armored Core 6is a couple of years old now, and it is about time for a sequel to be in development, especially with how efficiently FromSoftware tends to work.
Then again, there aren’t any rumors around anotherArmored Corelike there is withDark Souls 3remastered.It makes the most sense for FMC to beDS3remastered, and that’s not to say anotherArmored Coreisn’t in the works under another codename. FromSoftware is working on several projects right now, andThe Duskbloodsjust so happens to be the only one that has been shown off thus far.
If Dark Souls 3 Remastered Is Being Made, It Needs Seamless Co-op
The Seamless Co-op Mods Are Immensely Popular
While Soulsborne games have tended to have FromSoftware’s somewhat strange summoning system, fans hunger for true co-opon top of the mystery of the lore. This has never been more evident thanks to the numerous Seamless Co-op Mods byNexus Mod creator Yui.Yui’sElden RingSeamless Co-op mod hasgarnered almost ten million downloads, indicating a clear community desire to play with friends more easily.
Yui has made Seamless Co-op mods forDark Souls Remastered,DS3,Elden Ring,andArmored Core 6, withDS2currently in the works.
For the most part,these Seamless Co-op mods use the infrastructure that FromSoftware has provided, albeit with a few tweaks, like only going back to a Bonfire or Grace after both players have died. In theory, this should be something that FromSoftware could easily add to a potentialDark Souls 3remaster without too much hassle. The core infrastructure could remain the same, and summoning could even be kept.
This makes sense for what FromSoftware is currently experimenting with at the moment.Multiplayer is clearly a focus withNightreign’s strange but fun three-person co-opandThe Duskbloods' PvPvE extraction-stylegameplay. Adding true co-op could be a much more harmless experiment by comparison, especially to a game that fans have already played and loved, likeDark Souls 3.
More importantly, FromSoftware will know it will work, sinceYui has already set the groundwork to prove the concept. Having it built into the game from the start just makes the co-op functions more accessible for the majority of players, especially for those on console who can’t mod the game. This could also be the perfect way for friends to coax others into Soulsborne games by giving them a hand and making the first steps into this harsh subgenre of games easier.
Soulsborne Fans Have Wanted Seamless Co-op For Years
And It Is Just As Fun As It Sounds
Having playedElden Ringwith its Seamless Co-op mod, and in the process of trying to find someone to playDark Souls 3with,I can say that the Seamless Co-op mods reveal what players have been missing for years. It’s brilliant fun, and the only issue is that it makes some encounters too easy. Still, the Seamless Co-op mods do provide the ability to adjust certain difficulty settings, allowing players to maintain the challenge.
FromSoftware makes its games harder when players are summoned anyway, andsomething likeElden Ringcan easily be made more difficult by not using summons when playing with Seamless Co-op. The Seamless Co-op just confirms what fans have known from the start. True co-op in Soulsborne games is great fun and a match made in heaven.
It is a genuine possibility too, if FMC isDark Souls 3remastered, and withFromSoftware having such a strong focus on multiplayer with its recent projects, it makes sense. Modders like Yui have already proved that true co-op can work mechanically. Those who don’t want to use it in case of ruining the game’s challenge can simply ignore that, makingDark Souls 3the perfect co-op and single-player Soulsborne entry point.
