Accessibility a 'key topic' for Dark Souls II

From Software is making accessibility for newcomers a "key topic" for Dark Souls II. New game director Tomohiro Shibuya told Edge that he wants the upcoming role-playing game to provide those new to the series with a "good introduction" before going further.

“Accessibility to players who haven’t picked up Dark Souls is definitely a key topic,” Shibuya said. “Right in the beginning when players first pick up the game is something that I will definitely focus on. To not immediately throw them into Dark Souls but provide a good introduction in terms of what the game’s about and how the game should be played."

It is Shibuya's hope that this new introduction sequence will not only encourage those new to the series to try Dark Souls II, but also to hook them from the onset.

“Hopefully that adjustment at the very beginning of the game will help draw in players and get them addicted right away without immediately making players feel rejected [by] the game system itself,” he said.

Shibuya singled out Dark Souls' covenant system as something he would like to alter for the sequel. He said this system was "difficult to fully absorb and experience," noting that the Dark Souls II version will be more inviting.

“Making it more accessible to players is something that I want to express… I will follow the same concept as Dark Souls, but there were a lot of hidden story elements that some players may not have caught before and I’m hoping to make some of that a little bit more clear or directly expressed to the player as well.”

In general, Dark Souls II will also be "more straightforward and more understandable," Shibuya said previously. The game was announced during the 2012 Video Game Awards and is due out for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC.