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Dark Souls II launching March 2014

Update: Namco Bandai confirms Dark Souls II will be shipping in March 2014.

453 Comments

Update: Namco Bandai has confirmed to Eurogamer that Dark Souls II will be shipping in March 2014.

Original story: Dark Souls II, the sequel to From Software’s 2011 hit role-playing game, Dark Souls may be releasing in March next year, according to a report on Kotaku.

Is this the Dark Souls II release date? Image credit: Kotaku
Is this the Dark Souls II release date? Image credit: Kotaku

A large billboard has been spotted in Los Angeles by user Norm the Alligator ahead of next week’s Electronic Entertainment Expo. The 2014 launch window has lead to speculation that the next title in the notoriously unforgiving series may also include a next-generation console release.

A Namco Bandai Australia spokesperson declined to comment on the release date, and reiterated that only Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC versions of the game have been announced.

Namco recently confirmed the company will be going "guns blazing" to market with Dark Souls II.

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Avatar image for gatsbythepig
gatsbythepig

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Is there anyone that doesn't like Dark Souls?

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comethadone

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Edited By comethadone

@gatsbythepig I don't.

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93ChevyNut

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@gatsbythepig There are those who don't like Dark Souls. And they're wrong...

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kominio

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@gatsbythepig Is there anyone who doesnt like ice cream?

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Goron24

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@kominio @gatsbythepig lactose intolerant people

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MagneticFusion

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Edited By MagneticFusion

Everyone get ready to pad your controller so you can throw it at the TV again! LOL

I can't wait for this. Please give us an Otogi 3 after! :)

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SilentAssassin

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Can't wait.

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DJMist

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Edited By DJMist

No next gen version will be an epic fail!

On March 2014 I will be definitely spending time with my brand new and shiny xbox one and ps4.

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XxTheEvilxX

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@DJMist I know. If they are developing on the PC, then there's no reason not to port it over. Of course, you and I have common sense.... something that is not all that common anymore.

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DJMist

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@XxTheEvilxX @DJMist

Exactly! And when you say port you also know that it could very well be a BAD port. We are used to these over the years...

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plaintomato

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Edited By plaintomato

@XxTheEvilxX @DJMist The only reason to be annoyed is if you don't want to buy it twice. In that case, just buy it on PC.

But chances are fair it was delayed to ready release on all platforms simultaneously.

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plaintomato

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@XxTheEvilxX @DJMist Next gen, porting will be easier than ever before since they all share the same basic architecture.

Probably most games will be developed on PC and ported to consoles.

And they will release a next gen version. They might delay announcement to promote current gen sales and repeat buyers, but they'll do it no question.

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XxTheEvilxX

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@DJMist @XxTheEvilxX Sad but true

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XxTheEvilxX

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Edited By XxTheEvilxX

Well that's depressing. I was hoping to see it before 2014. Oh well... I will buy it regardless of its release date. But damn it... I WANT IT NOW!!!!!

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MelancholyDitz

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It certainly will be niche once most people have moved on to next-gen consoles. This fame will die a swift and painful death if it doesn't make its way to next-gen. I love Dark Souls as much as the next guy, but I really don't think I'll bed spending $60 on a last-gen game and hauling out my old 360 to play it.

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faceless-mask

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@MelancholyDitz Honestly, if they make the game for next-gen consoles and it turns out like the PC version did, then it's going to hurt them a lot more. They at least had an excuse for PC, with Dark Souls being the first game they had ever ported to PC, but even then, Tanimura still called it half assed and then made a point to say that he wanted the quality of the game to be consistent across all platforms. Sure, they may make some money by porting it to next-gen, but what if the quality of the game is low? Not to mention the fact that unlike on PC, it's incredibly difficult to mod console games. And one of the reasons the PC version did fairly well was BECAUSE there were mods to fix most of the problems, and thereby made it the best version of the game. You can't do that on console can you? Especially not on a brand new console that was released about 5 or so months before. So people won't have as much incentive to buy it. They'll hear about how the game looks bad or is buggy or glitchy and whatnot, and they'll stay the hell away from it. Say whatever you want, but I'm pretty sure that From Software would rather make a good quality game instead of making a game to get money. Hell, they only made the PC version because of fan demand.

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everson_rm

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@Poison-tooth @MelancholyDitz ME too, for PS3...

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Poison-tooth

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@MelancholyDitz I will.

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Tygravius

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Tbh, if this game comes out this fall on this gen, I'll buy it. And then it comes out on next-gen in March, I fuckin buy it again....Yes, indeed:)

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MelancholyDitz

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Honestly, I think they've been BSing us about no next-gen release especially if it s coming out in March of next year. Simply put, it would be absolute suicide to release it 4-5 months past the release of next gen consoles. Haven't other developers done stuff like this? Remember Bioware, with Mass Effect on the PS3? Saying that it would NEVER come to PlayStation, and yet it was announced for PS3 only a few months later.

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XxTheEvilxX

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@MelancholyDitz Interesting points. Though I would still buy it in March or June of 2014 because I am a big fan of the series, it does seems counter-intuitive to release this so late after the launch of the next-gen consoles. Given as it is being designed for PC first, it would only make sense to port it over to a next gen system capable of running it much closer to its PC counterpart. Here's to hoping your right about them BSing us. I think if the release window is after December of this year, they will be shooting themselves in the foot. All that extra marketing will be a waste of money. Besides, this isn't COD. These games are not for everyone. I don't like the word "mass" being mixed with Dark Souls 2.

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Avatar image for deactivated-603cce87b978c
deactivated-603cce87b978c

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Oh yeah that's great. With this Dark Souls will be still crowded until then (I just bought it. Of course it would be boring if it's not crowded anymore). WOHOO

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MelancholyDitz

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Edited By MelancholyDitz

The community has kind of died as of late. I mean, there are still douchebags like Darkwraiths invading low-level worlds, but there aren't many of the others covenants. The Dragon covenant is completely dead now, and the Blades of the Dark Moon are broken.

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Avatar image for deactivated-603cce87b978c
deactivated-603cce87b978c

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@MelancholyDitz I played just now and it's not that dead yet. There are still quite many people invading

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plaintomato

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@MelancholyDitz Plenty of life still on PC. Lots of 100 and 120 PVP all around the Township.

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everson_rm

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@MelancholyDitz For PS3 is quite easy to get invaded or invade in the township, using blue orb.

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MelancholyDitz

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Edited By MelancholyDitz

Here's the issue, on Xbox, Township PvP no longer exists. Though since there was recently a sale on Artorias Abyss it may have some revived life. Also it did only come out last year on PC, yes? Also, everyone on PC has Artorias Abyss, so that also contributes to the community still being alive.

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Assimilat0r

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Edited By Assimilat0r

ОH GOD!

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I_am_in_despair

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Edited By I_am_in_despair

Noooooooo!!! I thought that this will be released in fall D:

Well, if it meant that this game will be polished, then it is okay with me.

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inversepolarity

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Waiting for this may at least make time pass quicker for GTA V to release. Took me about 20hrs of grinding fear and hate for Dark Souls, before i loved the game and realised what all the fuss was about. Can't wait for 2! May have to pick up a PS3 with Demon Souls

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EL_Bomberdor

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Edited By EL_Bomberdor

@inversepolarity

Playin Demon Souls now. It's brutal.

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inversepolarity

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@EL_Bomberdor Going to get it today, lol up too early... waiting for shops to open :)

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Pirate700

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Edited By Pirate700

It's already an extremely niche game. Not releasing the game on next gen consoles months after their release would be almost sales suicide. I'm sure the game will be on next gen systems.

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faceless-mask

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@Pirate700 Check what they say in the article I linked.

http://www.t3.com/news/dark-souls-2-could-possibly-launch-in-march-2014


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kachal

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I can't wait that long .


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Hurvl

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@kachal Well, bad for you.

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radikel

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Come On...how on earth do they expect us to wait that long. This probably the only game iam looking forward to. What do they want me to do in the meantime....go hollow eh?

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Sandro7

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Edited By Sandro7

@radikel whatever you do, do not crack and go hollow!

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radikel

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Edited By radikel

@Sandro7 @radikel

LOL!!!....the perfect DS2 release line...hahaha

Wanted to work that line into my original post...but you stole it from me!!!

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LiquidGold

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@Sandro7 @radikel Thats right , cause once you do crack, its game over man game over.

Crack kills.

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Sandro7

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2014?! you cant do that! you are breaking your 2year rule! Think about that fromsoft, Think about that! And what about children? Could you please think about children?! (what im saying, i was really hoping this would have been late 2013 release. Because it is one of two only games what im now looking forward)

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Karmazyn

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I am currently playing Dark Souls which I got last week. I decided to get it for PS3 and OMG this game has serious performance issues with really big frame rate drops. I hope that they will fix it in the sequel. Although I do doubt it if the game is being developed for current gen I do not see how they can increase performance and update graphic. Hmmmm.... need to wait and see.

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faceless-mask

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@Karmazyn There are only 2 areas which have bad Framerates. Those are Blighttown and sometimes in Demon Ruins.

8 • 
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WolfGrey

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@faceless-mask @Karmazyn

Incorrect , Township also has these issues, and Royal Wood...and plenty of other areas.

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Arcturuss

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I was afraid for this title for a moment but all the gameplay i've seen so far has looked really promising..

Also the tradition of the Devs trolling everyone seems to be still going strong. I think a lot of the fears were caused by stuff that was lost in translation. Like when they said accessible people read "Easier, shallower" when what they meant was "Slightly better tutorials" and maybe even a slight explination of what a convenant is. Being cryptic about deeper game mechanics is awesome.. not explaining the core ones isn't as awesome :P

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skayj2

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@Arcturuss Meh, what did you expect.

Everyone in this industry's been cynical as of late. Myself included. Tbh it's no surprise considering the direction the industry is being forced.

It's sad, but there are very few companies that I expect to retain their integrity as quality game makers and refrain from "selling out" as it were.

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