Elden Ring is coming, we know that much for sure. But when? Ever since Microsft's E3 2019 keynote, where it was confirmed that author George R.R. Martin and FromSoftware, the studio behind the Dark Souls franchise, were teaming up to make an open-world, third-person action RPG, fans have been clamouring for information on the elusive game. But it has remained shrouded in secrecy ever since.
The hype here is massive – two masters of the fantasy medium coming together in the form of an alliance between Dark Souls maestro Hidetaka Miyazaki and Game of Thrones creator George R. R. Martin. Who wouldn't want a game pairing the gameplay of Dark Souls with the narrative nastiness of Game of Thrones? Elden Ring could deliver that.
Could we finally see Elden Ring at the Summer Games Fest 2021 showcase? Rumor has it that the Geoff Keighley-fronted event will have the long-awaited RPG as its headline reveal, finally giving fans a look at the mysterious game. Read on for more info!
Elden Ring will take place in a game world created by FromSoftware's Hidetaka Miyazaki and George R.R. Martin. And, while there may have been some hopes for a game less bleak than past FromSoftware games on account of Martin's influence, the announcement trailer proved as bleak a world as any found in past FromSoftware games.
Details on Elden Ring may be thin on the ground right now, but there's still plenty to get excited about. Interested to find out more? Here's everything we know so far about Elden Ring.
Elden Ring: what you need to know
- What is it? An open-world action RPG that sees George R.R. Martin and FromSoftware collaborating
- When can I play it? TBC
- What can I play it on? Xbox One, PS4 and PC (probably Xbox Series X and PS5 too)
Elden Ring release date
FromSoftware hasn't given us a firm release date for Elden Ring. We do know that Elden Ring will release on PS4, PC and Xbox One, with PS5 and Xbox Series X releases also likely but not confirmed.
Given that details on the game are still thin on the ground, we aren't expecting Elden Ring to release in 2021. However, gameplay leaks suggest the game is pretty far into development so we would predict that we could see its release in 2022 - with a reveal in the coming months. Though this is still speculation.
E3 2021 and the Summer Games Fest 2021 are both prime spots for publisher Bandai Namco to deliver some more information on the game, however. As well as the general Summer Games Fest showcase, it has its own event on Tuesday 15 June – Elden Ring would be exactly the sort of headlining reveal that would make that showcase sing.
Elden Ring trailer
The announcement trailer for Elden Ring doesn't give away anything in terms of gameplay, but with more than one sword shown, and a spear and hammer given screen time, it looks like it will be as melee-focused as FromSoftware's past games.
Check it out below:
Elden Ring gameplay and setting
Elden Ring is set to be an open-world, third-person action RPG, with gameplay similar to the Dark Soul series.
"However, that doesn’t mean that it plays out in the same way," director Miyazaki told IGN. "With a more open and vast environment, the way combat plays out becomes fundamentally different.”
We also know that Elden Ring will allow you to customize your character, rather than having a set protagonist. What's more, there will be no towns or cityscapes (so no NPCS to talk with), instead, there will be dungeon-like ruins. In addition, you'll be able to traverse the world on horseback and there will be some intense boss fights to look forward to.
Miyazaki told Xbox Wire that Elden Ring "puts more focus on RPG elements" than FromSoftware's Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, which Miyazaki described as having "a heavy focus on action".
"Of course, we are not shying away from the fun of responsive melee-based combat, and these elements will be present as well," Miyazaki said.
We also know Elden Ring will let players use a variety of weapons, magic and other ways to engage enemies, with an aim to giving you more control over your playstyle.
While details on Elden Ring's setting are thin on the ground, the announcement trailer hints that we could be seeing a somewhat Norse setting.
Elden Ring news and rumors
Elden Ring at Summer Games Fest 2021?
With fans clamouring for even a scrap of news about the game, all eyes are on the Summer Games Fest event of June 10, 2021, to be the first real look at the game. There's an increasing buzz from multiple parties suggesting that the showcase will be the first real look at gameplay from the title. We'll keep you posted here if that proves true.
Leaked Elden Ring trailer
'Leaked' Elden Ring footage is being shared online, which appears to show footage from a currently unreleased gameplay trailer for the upcoming RPG. While the footage is blurry, fans have upscaled the trailer to 720p HD. We won't share the trailer here, but it's available online for those who wish to watch it.
What's with the name?
The name 'Elden Ring' apparently is a mysterious concept that defines the game world itself. One of the key themes of the action RPG is that the Elden Ring has been shattered, but it remains a mysterious exactly what that means for the game's narrative.
A new Elden Ring trailer will not be shown "soon"
Hoping for Microsoft to showcase a new Elden Ring trailer sometime soon? Then you're going to be disappointed. In February, Aaron Greenberg, general manager of Xbox Games Marketing at Microsoft, shut down rumors that the upcoming RPG will be showcased anytime soon, saying on Twitter that he wanted to "set expectations" and "there are always things we have in the works, but nothing coming soon that would feature game announcements or world premieres like this."
Just to set expectations: this is not happening. There are always things we have in the works, but nothing coming soon that would feature game announcements or world premieres like this. https://t.co/nO868SCbpZFebruary 28, 2021
Speculation ignited that a new Elden Ring trailer would be showcased at a rumored Microsoft event in March following two separate rumors. But these proved to offer false hope.
The first was that Elden Ring would be shown off sometime soon. Bloomberg's Jason Schreier previously tweeted to say that he believes "there is strong evidence floating around that the game will be shown relatively soon". While GameBeat's Jeff Grubb stated on a GamesBeat Decides podcast that he had previously been told by a "combination of sources" that we could get more information on Elden Ring by the end of March, but emphasized that this was "never cemented."
"I've never had an exact date, I've had reasons to be confident," Grubb explained on the podcast. However, Grubb did go on to say that: "you're not going to have to wait long."
The second of these rumors was that Microsoft was planning to host a gaming event on March 23, with Paul Thurrott claiming on Twitter that Microsoft is planning to hold a "what's new for gaming" event on March 23.
We now know that the rumored event was the ID@Xbox event, which took place on March 26 and focused solely on indie titles - no Elden Ring. Given Greenberg's comments, Microsoft seems to have no plans to showcase Elden Ring or host an event to showcase any other big game announcements anytime "soon".
George R.R. Martin has written the "overarching mythos"
Miyazaki revealed that the George R.R.Martin collaboration came about as the developer is a huge fan of Martin's work. This collaboration has resulted in Martin writing the "overarching mythos" of Elden Ring.
"The actual collaboration itself begun with Mr. Martin ever so politely confirming what sorts of themes, ideas as well as many game-related aspects I had envisioned for the game," Miyazaki told Xbox Wire. "This allowed us to have many free and creative conversations regarding the game, in which Mr. Martin later used as a base to write the overarching mythos for the game world itself.
"This mythos proved to be full of interesting characters and drama along with a plethora of mystical and mysterious elements as well. It was a wonderful source of stimulus for me and the development staff.
"Elden Ring’s world was constructed using this mythos and stimulus as a base."
Development started after Dark Souls 3 DLC
In an interview with Xbox Wire, Miyazaki revealed that Elden Ring development began just after Dark Souls 3 DLC development has ended. The second and final Darks Souls DLC, The Ringed City, was released in 2017.
"At the time, Elden Ring was being planned as a more classic fantasy title compared to others that were either being considered or already in the early stages of development," Miyazaki said.
It's all doom and gloom
Well, it seems that way from the trailer. We don't know what the story will involve but the voiceover from the trailer came with the following narration:
"I doubt you could even imagine it. That which commanded the stars giving life its fullest brilliance. The Elden Ring. Oh, Elden Ring, shattered by someone or something. Don't tell me you don't see it. Look up at the sky. It burns."
More variety than previous FromSoftware games
When asked by Xbox Wire whether Elden Ring will be as challenging as previous FromSoftware games, Miyazaki said:
"Yes, I do. The importance we place on the joy the player experiences through overcoming challenges will be the same as it is in our other titles. I believe it will prove to be a very satisfying experience.
"Earlier I had said that this title focuses more heavily on RPG elements. This title will include a wide variety of weapons, magic, and ways to engage enemies, that make it possible to provide users with a style of gameplay and strategy that suits them.
"Even when compared to the Dark Souls series, I believe this title will provide even more variety in the ways for players to overcome challenges and tweak their tactics when facing enemies."
Phil Spencer has played Elden Ring
Speaking to GameSpot, Xbox boss Phil Spencer revealed that he's been playing Elden Ring and thinks its Miyazaki's "most ambitious game" yet.
"As somebody who's played all of Miyazaki's games over at least the last decade, this is clearly the most ambitious game that he's done," Spencer said. "I mean, I love his games, but seeing some of the gameplay mechanics stuff that he's tackling, he and the team are tackling this time, of the setting, working with another creator in terms of story. I love it."
Biggest FromSoftware game yet
Speaking to Xbox Wire, Miyazaki explained that one of the big differences Elden Ring has from FromSoftware's previous titles is its sheer size.
"If I were to put aside the world full of fresh stimulus thanks to our collaboration with Mr. Martin, I would have to say the biggest difference is it being open world," Miyazaki said.
"Due to this, the scale of the world and its narrative, as well as the depth and freedom of exploration have increased dramatically. It is without a doubt our biggest title yet in terms of sheer volume."
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