Anyone who’s a fan of Elden Ring is likely already aware of how big a role the famous author George R.R. Martin plays in its creation. Responsible for coming up with the whole historical context for the game’s storyline, the author of A Song of Ice and Fire series shook hands with the renowned video game director Hidetaka Miyazaki, not knowing they were about to create a title that would go on to win Game of the Year 2022.

What’s even more surprising is how this collaboration almost didn’t happen, all because Miyazaki felt it was not going to work due to differences that don’t really seem much of a problem now, but must have presented quite the challenge back when he first got in touch with Martin.

Elden Ring: The Game Created by Two Geniuses Who Admired Each Other’s Work

George R.R. Martin was a major contributor to Elden Ring | Credits: Penguin Random House on/ YouTube

When Elden Ring was first announced, a collaboration between the famous director and the fantasy legend George R.R. Martin seemed nothing less than a match made in heaven. But behind this excitement, Hidetaka Miyazaki had some serious doubts, which he even stated in a conversation with The New Yorker.

He stated that he was concerned that challenges like the language barrier between the Japanese development team and Martin himself might clash. Which seems like a valid concern to have at first, but with careful planning and a lot of patience later, the partnership went on to produce one of the most acclaimed RPGs in all of gaming history.

At its core, Elden Ring is the product of two creators who deeply respect the work of each other. In the same interview, Miyazaki revealed that Martin already knew about his works and was even a fan of them before they even met each other. This is something that ultimately might have helped the two create an everlasting bond with each other.

The president of FromSoftware was also sure and precise with what he wanted out of Martin. He was also a fan of the fantasy writer’s works, and he wanted him to craft the world’s backstory, including its lore and foundation mythos, while Hidetaka Miyazaki himself would shape the actual plot experienced by the players.

Moreover, the director, in a December 2025 interview with Game Informer, stated how George R.R. Martin would be surprised to see Elden Ring’s end result. The director revealed that while the fantasy author might have contributed to the world and character-building in many areas, the changes brought by the FromSoftware team were so major that he’d likely end up surprised by how it turned out.

How Hidetaka Miyazaki’s Fear Almost Stopped FromSoftware From Building Its Biggest IP Yet

Hidetaka Miyazaki at the Game Developers Choice Awards in 2016 | Credits: Official GDC, CC BY-SA 2.0 Via Wikimedia Commons

Despite admiring Martin, Hidetaka Miyazaki was fairly wary of the collaboration with him. One of the key concerns, as stated before, was the language barrier, which, when combined with other concerns such as the age gap between the two creators, almost stopped Elden Ring from having Martin on board.

Miyazaki does not conduct in-depth creative discussions in English, and Martin does not speak Japanese. For a project that was rooted deep in mythology and characters with many layers, that gap could have easily complicated communication between the two creators.

However, rather than constant back-and-forth script revisions, the collaboration was structured in a way that minimized friction. Martin was tasked with building the foundational lore and historical framework of the world, while Miyazaki and his team shaped the in-game narrative.

The game ultimately evolved into more. Not only was it played by celebrities, including the likes of Post Malone, but it also witnessed a cooperative spin-off title called Elden Ring Nightreign, coupled with a live-action adaptation movie in the works, produced and directed by A24 Studios and Alex Garland, respectively.

Elden Ring Release Year2022PublisherBandai NamcoDeveloperFromSoftware

How do you think Elden Ring would have turned out without Martin’s help? Post your theories in the comments below!
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