Namco Bandai are bringing their shield design contest back for Dark Souls II.

Yui Tanimura, one of the directors on Dark Souls II, spoke with Siliconera about the character you play as, the game’s difficulty, and filling Hidetaka Miyazaki’s shoes.

FromSoftware added new tricks too and these are interesting because they attack player’s senses. Dark Souls II will have threats that force players to face phobias like a fear of heights and vertigo.

Namco Bandai took photos inside FromSoftware where the team is working on Dark Souls II. These pictures give us a peek at some weapons, armor, and perhaps a familiar character.

Former director, Hidetaka Miyazaki, and new director, Tomohiro Shibuya, discuss their new roles and plans for Dark Souls II.

FromSoftware released concept art for Dark Souls II and a nightmarish skeleton is one of the creatures players will run into.

Update: The Famitsu interview with Hidetaka Miyazaki says that the trailer from the VGAs was not in-game footage and the world in Dark Souls II has a common elements with the previous game.

FromSoftware announced Dark Souls II for Japan. Like Dark Souls, Namco Bandai will handle the Western market as the game’s publisher, but FromSoftware will retain publishing rights for Japan.

“The entire development team is striving to make Dark Souls II an experience that is fresh while not forsaking its roots in presenting players with challenging gameplay,” said director Tomohiro Shibuya.

Dark Souls II was announced at the Spike Video Game Awards this evening.