From Software’s Elden Ring only came out in February, but already its next game – still a mystery for now – is in the “final stages” of development.

As spotted by Gematsu (thanks, PC Gamer), in 2018 studio boss Hidetaka Miyazaki said “3.5” of the games the team was currently working on hadn’t been announced, and 4Gamer contacted Miyazaki to find out where they were at.

Since that time we’ve had Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, the PSVR game, Uprooted, and Elden Ring, of course. That leaves only one mystery game to announce, which may or may not be this heavily rumored Armored Core installment.

At the time, a gamer reported that he had received a consumer survey directly from the developer that offered plot details, eight screenshots, and even two videos about the unannounced sequel… which looks like indeed to a game in the “final stages” of development.

Anyway, however, Miyazaki says “development is currently in the final stages”, and is already looking to the “medium to long term” where he would like to work “on a more abstract fantasy than anything we have. done in the past”, especially since not all existing game development “ideas and images” have made it to the final versions.

Interestingly, some were also directed by other directors.

“We are developing several titles by directors other than myself in addition to the titles that I direct, but we are not yet at the stage where I can share details,” he added, adding that when these are sequels, “there are merits both in resuming the numbering and in creating a new work with a new title”.

Miyazaki has also confirmed – like other Japanese companies – that From has committed to settling starting salaries and will increase the (presumed, but not explicitly specified) monthly starting salary for new graduates to ¥260,000 – approximately ¥1. £500 – and will make changes to its bonus structure.

As for what could these mysterious games be about? Well, that’s still a mystery for now. However, chances are it will still feature challenging gameplay; Miyazaki said From Software’s game challenge is “not something [the studio is] ready to give up”, even if he himself “dies a lot” in games.

“We are always looking to improve, but in our games in particular, the difficulties are what give meaning to the experience,” Miyazaki said earlier this year. “So it’s not something we’re willing to give up just yet. It’s our identity.”