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July 30, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
How It Works • Games & Tech

FromSoftware

FromSoftware, Inc.

Updated July 30, 20261 min readCited sources

FromSoftware is a Japanese video game developer known for challenging action-RPGs. It began as a business software company in 1986 before releasing its first game in 1994.

What it is

FromSoftware, Inc. is a Japanese video game developer and publisher based in Shinjuku, Tokyo. It develops and publishes video games and internet content, and is best known for the *Armored Core* series and the *Souls* series of games.

Its history

Founded in 1986 by Naotoshi Zin, the company originally created business application software. It shifted to video games in 1994 with *King's Field* for the PlayStation. FromSoftware became a subsidiary of Kadokawa Corporation after its acquisition.

Notable games

The company is famous for difficult action-RPGs including *Demon's Souls*, *Dark Souls*, *Bloodborne*, *Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice*, and *Elden Ring*. These titles have a large international audience, including many players in Canada.

In short

  • Founded in 1986 in Tokyo as a business software developer.
  • First video game: *King's Field* (1994).
  • Known for *Armored Core* and the *Souls* series.
  • Subsidiary of Kadokawa Corporation.
Canadian angle

FromSoftware’s games have a significant international audience in Canada, especially among players of action role-playing games and major console releases.

Quick questions

What is FromSoftware?
FromSoftware is a Japanese video game developer and publisher based in Tokyo.
When was FromSoftware founded?
It was founded on November 1, 1986.
What games is FromSoftware best known for?
It is best known for *Armored Core* and the *Souls* games, including *Dark Souls*, *Bloodborne*, *Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice*, and *Elden Ring*.

Sources

  1. FromSoftware, Inc. — https://www.fromsoftware.jp/ww/company_history.html
    Supports: Company history; founded in 1986 in Tokyo; original business software focus.
  2. FromSoftware, Inc. — https://www.fromsoftware.jp/ww/company_about.html
    Supports: Foundation date, headquarters, business description, and studio locations.
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FromSoftware
    Supports: General company description; founding date; first video game; video game developer and publisher.
  4. IGN — https://www.ign.com/articles/2015/03/16/the-history-of-from-software
    Supports: Historical overview and Kadokawa acquisition context.
  5. MobyGames — https://www.mobygames.com/company/2348/fromsoftware-inc/
    Supports: Founding details, first game, and early transition to video games.
  6. Wikipedia — https://www.wikipedia.org
    Supports: Series associations and corporate ownership details in multiple language editions.