Dark Souls III Art Confirms Early 2016 Launch (Updated)

Update:

Better start a bonfire, because Dark Souls III won't debut until early next year.

IGN obtained a promotional image for Dark Souls III (which has yet to be formally announced by Bandai Namco or From Software), teasing an early 2016 launch window. As you can tell, this picture features a burnt hero, suggesting he encountered some kind of fire-breathing monstrosity. Since Bloodborne launched just a couple months ago, we're not surprised at Dark Souls III's 2016 release. Nevertheless, we can't wait to see some official gameplay.

Stay tuned as we'll be keeping an eye out for Dark Souls III's during E3.

Original Story:

These supposedly leaked details and screenshots for Dark Souls III are to die, respawn and die again for.

According to Gematsu, YouTuber The Know has posted all kinds of juicy deets and screenshots pertaining to Dark Souls III, which has yet to be formally unveiled by From Software and Bandai Namco Games. We have a feeling the title was going to be announced sometime during E3 2015 next week, but someone at The Know was able to get a special, behind the scenes look before it was presented on the main stage.

Here are the supposedly leaked details about Dark Souls III:

• The game is coming to PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in 2016. PC is also listed, but is accompanied by the word “negotiable.”
• The game will support “1-4 players,” meaning it’s possible you can summon more than one friend or there might be a player-versus-player element.
• 10 playable classes, all available from the beginning of the game.
• 45 new enemies, 15 new bosses. Characters and monsters from previous games are not included in that count.
• 100 new weapons and 40 new armor sets with returning equipment not counted in that number.
• 60 minutes of cutscenes, mostly in engine, rather than pre-rendered.
• There will be around 12 areas in the game.
• Will change the way you interact with players online. You’ll now participate in “Sacrifice Ceremonies.” You can drag bodies around, choose where to sacrifice them, perform the ritual, and visit another player’s game. Doing this makes you a target for other players. These will also change your game, such as a sacrifice creating a bonfire at the location you choose to sacrifice the body.
• Light sources and enemy layouts have been changed.
• Boss battles have a new “Heat Up” factor that “completely change” boss battles based on undescribed factors.
• The game will add “Sword Fighting Arts,” which including “Rush In” and “Circle.” The former is a sacrifice attack that allows you to dive into an opponent and take damage while delivering a huge hit, while the latter sounds like a dodge move.

There are some awesome details mentioned here, to say the least. While Bandai Namco and From Software have yet to confirm anything, we implore our readers to take this leaked info with a grain of salt in terms of its validity. Since Bloodborne was a PS4-exclusive, we're not surprised that Dark Souls III would exclude last-gen consoles. Nevertheless, we're particularly intrigued by these supposed new ways to interact with players online.

Stay tuned as we'll provide up-to-date coverage on Dark Souls III once we hear an official word from Bandai Namco or From Software.