Summary
- FromSoftware is not currently planning a sequel to Elden Ring, but they aren't ruling it out completely.
- The upcoming expansion DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree, will offer new enemies and a mysterious setting.
- While a sequel isn't in the works now, owning the Elden Ring IP means a sequel could happen in the future.
According to Elden Ring director Hidetaka Miyazaki, developer FromSoftware is not planning a sequel at this time. The latest fantasy action game from the team that brought fans Bloodborne and the Dark Souls series was released in 2022 and became an instant hit. Elden Ring lived up to its predecessors in terms of its gameplay, its dark and mysterious story, and the level of difficulty that has become a signature of FromSoftware and Miyazaki.
Now, two years after its launch, Elden Ring is finally getting an expansion DLC. A new trailer for Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree was recently released, revealing a launch date, new enemies, and other hints about what players can expect to encounter. In addition to this trailer, Miyazaki has been personally speaking to gaming journalists lately, talking about the upcoming expansion and his team's approach to designing it. Further, during a recent interview, he also dropped some information about the possibility of future trips to the Lands Between.
In an interview with IGN, Miyazaki explained that there are currently no plans at FromSoftware to develop a sequel to Elden Ring. He didn't foreclose the idea of an Elden Ring 2 entirely, saying that "we don't want to say this is the end of the Elden Ring saga for now." He stated, however, that "we don't have any current plans to make a second DLC or a sequel." Instead, Miyazaki explained, the team is leaving the possibility of a sequel open if a good idea presents itself, while not actively working on it.
FromSoftware Has No Plans for More DLC After Shadow of the Erdtree
This news is likely to disappoint fans who were hoping for another entry in the near-future. While he concluded his comments with the statement that "there could well be something in the future," he made clear that it won't be happening anytime soon. For now, players will have to check out some other great games for Elden Ring fans and commit to getting the most out of Shadow of the Erdtree when it comes out in June.
We don't want to say this is the end of the Elden Ring saga for now.
While Miyazaki is clearly attempting to temper fans' expectations, those hoping for a sequel likely don't need to despair entirely. He was clear that more content could be created if the right idea presented itself. Further, the fact that FromSoftware now owns the Elden Ring IP, having acquired the complete rights from publisher Bandai Namco recently, would seem to indicate that company leadership would like to have the option to add to the franchise in the future. If nothing else, owning the IP means that the developer has a greater financial incentive to release a sequel down the road.
Industry observers have argued that Elden Ring 2 could be bigger and better than the original, even if it doesn't need to be to see success. Surely, plenty of fans are dying to see it live up to these expectations. Miyazaki's statement may dampen these hopes to some degree but, given the larger context, gamers should not abandon hope entirely just yet.
Elden Ring
- Released
- February 25, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
ELDEN RING, developed by FromSoftware, Inc. And BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Inc., is a fantasy action-RPG adventure set within a world created by Hidetaka Miyazaki and George R.R. Martin. Danger and discovery lurk around every corner in FromSoftware’s largest game to date. Hidetaka Miyazaki - President and Game Director of FromSoftware Inc. Known for directing critically-acclaimed games in beloved franchises including Armored Core and Dark Souls.
George R.R. Martin is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of many novels, including the acclaimed series A Song of Ice and Fire - A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords, A Feast For Crows, and A Dance with Dragons. As a writer-producer, he has worked on The Twilight Zone, Beauty and the Beast, and various feature films and pilots that were never made. He lives with the lovely Parris in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
- Developer(s)
- From Software
- Publisher(s)
- Bandai Namco Entertainment, From Software
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X
