Dark Souls, the “for all intents and purposes” sequel to Demon’s Souls, is coming in October to both Xbox 360 and PS3. The developers are promising it will be bigger, badder and better than its predecessor.  To promote the upcoming game, Namco Bandai are running a contest for the crafty among us. The challenge?  Create your own personal in-game shield.  The winners will get to see their design featured in the final game.

From what we’ve seen so far, Dark Souls will feature the same tense, merciless action of the first game. Expect to die.  A lot.  If it approaches the incredible balance of risk-versus-reward combat found in Demon’s Souls, then this is great news for fans. You’ve probably heard many people complaining that the first game was too frustratingly difficult.  I have captured these complaints in this art piece:

In Dark Souls, it’s a safe bet that your shield will—once again—be your best friend.  I spent every playthrough of Demon’s Souls hunkered down behind a Adjudicator’s Shield, skulking my way through the shadows, stabbing everything that moved with my spear. Since you’ll be spending so much time cowering behind one, why not personalize it?

To enter, head over to the Dark Souls Facebook page.  They’ve got all the info there.  Basically, there are three templates to choose from.  The top ten entries for each template will receive a free copy of Dark Souls signed by game director Hidetaka Miyazaki.  Free is awesome.  Three Grand Prize winning designs will be selected to appear in the final game.

Yeah yeah, it’s a “viral” campaign.  Whatever.  I’d be ecstatic to have my own badass design forever emblazoned on a shield. I’ve already designed mine: