Dark Souls 2 includes content inspired by community Shield Design Contest

Dark Souls 2 will include content inspired by the Dark Souls community created during the Shield Design Contest, Bandai Namco has announced.

Held in May 2013, From Software selected six original shield designs to integrate into the game.

This extra content has been adapted from the original designs "to blend in the Dark Souls 2 aesthetic" and become part of Drangleic, the mysterious fallen kingdom where the game's story unfolds.

Creators of the selected designs are: Denis "DasHurz" Bachmaier, Charles Collier, Illim, Gabriel Verdon and Alexandre Etiennes Jonathan Du Cass.

Each will be credited in the game and will receive a copy of Dark Souls 2 Collector's Edition as well as real shield based on their design, created by the blacksmiths of Armedia. The company specializes in the creation of medieval weapons and accessories.

More shields are to be revealed on January 31.

Dark Souls 2 launches on March 14 on PS3 and Xbox 360, and the PC edition “follows shortly” in 2014.