FromSoftware, Inc.
Japan · Founded 1986 · Part of Kadokawa Corporation
www.fromsoftware.jp/ww ↗One PixProof is too few to judge a company — this record fills in as more of its claims get checked. Last PixProof Sep 13, 2026.
Quick facts
- What is FromSoftware, Inc.?
- FromSoftware, Inc. was founded by Naotoshi Zin on November 1, 1986, originally as a business software developer, before pivoting to games with King's Field for the original PlayStation in 1994.
- Where is FromSoftware, Inc. from?
- Japan. Headquartered in Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan.
- Who owns FromSoftware, Inc.?
- FromSoftware, Inc.'s parent company is Kadokawa Corporation.
- When was FromSoftware, Inc. founded?
- In 1986, by Naotoshi Zin.
- How many people work at FromSoftware, Inc.?
- About 456 (as of 2024).
▸ ABOUT FROMSOFTWARE, INC.
FromSoftware, Inc. was founded by Naotoshi Zin on November 1, 1986, originally as a business software developer, before pivoting to games with King's Field for the original PlayStation in 1994. The studio became renowned for punishing, atmospheric action-RPGs — the Souls series, Bloodborne, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, and Elden Ring — that popularized the 'Soulslike' genre. Kadokawa Corporation acquired FromSoftware in 2014, and today holds roughly 70% ownership, with Sony Interactive Entertainment and Tencent subsidiary Sixjoy Hong Kong holding minority stakes acquired in 2022.
▸ WHO OWNS WHAT
From Wikidata (see record). Lists can include companies since merged or closed.
▸ TRACK RECORD
FromSoftware, Inc.'s history and the 1 marketing claim we've checked, in date order — so you can see what they promised when, and how it held up.
- 1986Naotoshi Zin founds FromSoftware in Tokyo on November 1, initially developing business software.
- 1994FromSoftware releases its first video game, King's Field, for the PlayStation.
- 1997The Armored Core mecha-combat franchise debuts, becoming a long-running FromSoftware series.
- 2009Demon's Souls is released, establishing the punishing action-RPG formula that defines the studio.
- 2011Dark Souls launches, expanding the Souls formula into a major global franchise.
- 2014Kadokawa Corporation acquires FromSoftware; Hidetaka Miyazaki becomes company president.
- 2015Bloodborne is released as a PlayStation 4 console exclusive.
- 2022Elden Ring, co-created with author George R. R. Martin, is released in February; Sony Interactive Entertainment and Tencent's Sixjoy Hong Kong acquire minority equity stakes later that year.
- Checked Sep 2026CLAIM · Elden Ring"Elden Ring successfully fuses FromSoftware's Souls-like combat and difficulty with a genuinely open, explorable world."→ 🟢 PLAY IT Read the PixProof →
Claim dates come from when the claim's own source was published; "Checked" means we couldn't date the claim, so it sits at the date we verified it.
