Miyazaki said that it is not a coincidence but it is not a direct connection to the past “Dark Souls” games either. He said that “Ashes of Ariandel” is taking place in the Painted World alright but it is taking place in a different Painted World.
He, however, pointed out that there are some connections between this Painted World and the one from the original “Dark Souls. He said that the reason he decided to return to the Painted World is because it matches with the theme he was trying to describe in the first DLC. Players should be able to understand the reason as they play the DLC, he noted.
Despite the huge content to be brought in by “Ashes of Ariandel,” the DLC pack shall not affect the ending or change the base game at all, assures Miyazaki.
He said that “Ashes of Ariandel” is independent of the base game, adding that the storyline and the theme of the base game are pretty much concluded in the base game.
Miyazaki also confirmed that “Ashes of Ariandel” is the beginning of the end for the “Dark Souls” franchise. He said that it is time to move away from the franchise. He pointed out that as president of the game development company, he is not completely denying the possibility of bringing back the franchise in the future as if leaving the door open for the return once again of “Dark Souls.”