Time’s Most Influential People of 2023 List Includes Innovator Hidetaka Miyazaki

Time Magazine released their list of the most influential people of 2023, which includes Hidetaka Miyazaki under their innovator category.

For those unfamiliar with Miyazaki, he worked as director of Elden Ring, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, and every Souls title besides Dark Souls II where he was a producer. Given the number of recent titles that have tried to copy the formula, along with the undeniable impact Elden Ring and others had on the game industry, it’s impossible to deny this is a well earned award.

As is tradition with these lists, a notable member of their industry wrote the accompanying article to go with the award. In this case it’s Neil Druckmann, who is best known for The Last of Us, and other Naughty Dog titles.

The first time I played one of Hidetaka Miyazaki’s games, I was miserable. I kept dying on the first enemy over and over again. But when I slowed down my approach, paying attention to the details, it all of a sudden clicked. I managed to defeat the enemy and advance further into the game. I earned my progress and felt a sort of rush! And as I moved forward in the game, I was much more deliberate, careful in how I explored this world. And in return the world rewarded me with tension, beauty, and surprises. 

That’s why Elden Ring—his massively popular 2022 hit—is a great ambassador for video games and the unique feelings they can effect in the player, feelings that a passive medium like TV can never re-create. Miyazaki’s games make the player feel accomplished and smart—and it’s all thanks to his and his team’s uncompromising approach. He refuses to overexplain the mechanics or the lore, but rather puts his trust in the player to figure it out on their own.

Neil Druckmann via Time Magazine

Congrats to Miyazaki, and hopefully it’s the first of many.