FromSoftware sleuth unearths earliest footage of Demon's Souls to date: A prototype with a first person camera mode

Lance McDonald, a seasoned FromSoftware investigator, has unveiled an early internal showcase of Demon's Souls. The demonstration, presented at an internal Sony event in May 2007, predates the game's release in Japan by almost two years. Notably, it includes a first-person camera mode, a rarity in the final release. This mode, which alternated with a locked 3D camera, allows the player to view the game world from a first-person perspective, providing a distinct experience from the final game.

The camera was initially locked behind the player model, facing away from the camera, similar to the Jedi Knight games. This design choice would have complemented the first-person mode but would have drastically altered the overall gameplay experience. The tutorial area of the demo features an arena with a Vanguard Demon, showing little change from the final game.

However, the Dragon God's arena is open-air, resembling a volcanic crater rather than a magma cavern. The trailer also showcases enemies not present in the final version, such as bipedal snake men resembling Dark Souls' man-serpents. Concept art included in the PowerPoint hints at the game's evolution, featuring the Flamelurker boss and an open, grassy area with a large hole in the center.

These details, along with explanations of Demon's Souls' asymmetric multiplayer, highlight the development team's understanding of the game's unique position between MMOs and singleplayer games. The presentation underscores Sony's expectations for Demon's Souls, which ultimately launched in February 2009 in Japan and was later published worldwide despite initial concerns.

This internal communication serves as invaluable historical context, illustrating the game's potential divergences and its eventual influence on the gaming landscape.