From Software's upcoming title, The Duskbloods, is incorporating mechanics and aesthetic elements inspired by tabletop role-playing games, most notably Vampire: The Masquerade. Game director Hidetaka Miyazaki shared that the game's "Virtue system" and "Sigil system" are directly influenced by tabletop mechanics, including house rules he used to play.
Miyazaki explained that the Virtue system, which functions as a victory point system, takes inspiration from common board game mechanics. The Sigil system, meanwhile, was inspired by tabletop RPGs, specifically the house rules he encountered in his gaming past. These systems are drawn from his experiences with tabletop games.
Beyond gameplay mechanics, the lore, aesthetic, and world-building of The Duskbloods also draw from a passion for vampire fiction. While Miyazaki noted that there isn't one single, direct source, he cited modern vampire literature as a significant influence. Titles such as Vampire: The Masquerade, George R.R. Martin's Fevre Dream, and Kim Newman's Dracula Cha-Cha-Cha are among the works that have indirectly shaped the game's atmosphere. These influences have accumulated over time and reflect Miyazaki's long-held desire to incorporate such themes.
The game's visual presentation and emphasis on the societal hierarchy of vampires, as seen in From Software's previous titles, align with the romanticized vampire concept often explored in tabletop games like Vampire: The Masquerade. The Duskbloods is currently slated for a release on the Switch 2 later this year, though a specific release date has not yet been announced.