User blog comment:Volknur/Darks Souls II Announced/@comment-5632187-20121216173926

An edge article with Miyazaki(sp?) and the new directors of DSII revealed a few things about the development and other things about the game. The game will be a direct sequel. Miyazaki(sp?) has nothing to do with the development of the game. It will NOT take place in Lordran, but they wouldn't reveal where it would be. Possibly Astora, Carim, Zena etc. There may be things like horses to ride. There may be an oceanic themed part where we ride a boat out on water. There were some more things but I can't think of them right now. Here's a link to a video going over some of the major points of the interview:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nB0LXzDfLKs