Summary
- Elden Ring’s sleep symbol is a subtle detail: a closed eye.
- Sleep status in Elden Ring immobilizes foes, aiding strategic advantage in battles with a strong sleep build.
- The connection between sleep symbol and madness in Elden Ring highlights key gameplay mechanics.
Elden Ring players have recently noticed an intriguing detail about the game's sleep symbol: it’s represented by a closed-eye icon. The hugely popular action RPG, developed by FromSoftware, became an instant hit upon its 2022 release. With Hidetaka Miyazaki, known for his work on the Dark Souls series, directing and George R.R. Martin, the mind behind Game of Thrones, providing worldbuilding, the game had some heavy hitters behind the scenes. Elden Ring not only became one of the best-selling games of 2022 but also won Game of the Year at The Game Awards that same year.
In mid-2024, the hit title released its first DLC , Shadow of the Erdtree, which led to a massive surge in Elden Ring's player count, reaching nearly 175,000 concurrent users on Steam. Known for its brutally challenging combat and meticulously crafted open world, Elden Ring is often credited with evolving and further popularizing the Soulslike genre. As its dedicated fanbase continues to play, they are noticing more and more subtle details in the game, such as the sleep symbol.
George R.R. Martin Comments on Possibility of Elden Ring Movie
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A Redditor named Ok_Sheepherder_8119 recently shared a post revealing that the sleep symbol in Elden Ring is actually a closed eye. The post features a side-by-side image comparing the sleep symbol in the game to a photoshopped image, making the realization clear. The Redditor also points out that the madness symbol mirrors eyes with madness in them, with another side-by-side to prove the point. Many commenters were equally surprised, noting that after three years, this was the first time they realized the sleep icon represents closed eyes.
Elden Ring Players Realize the Sleep Symbol Is a Closed Eye
In Elden Ring, sleep is a status effect caused by certain weapons or abilities. When enemies are put to sleep, they become temporarily immobilized, making them easier to defeat. A strong sleep build in Elden Ring allows players to incapacitate foes, offering a valuable strategic advantage in tough battles. However, sleep isn't very common, especially later in the game, which likely explains why many players didn't recognize that the symbol resembled a closed eye.
On top of the sleep/closed eye connection, the post also mentioned madness. Combatting madness in Elden Ring is crucial since it directly affects both a player's health and Focus Points. Once the madness gauge is full, players become highly vulnerable to enemy attacks, often leading to death. However, counters such as Preserving Boluses and madness resistance gear can help mitigate its effects.
The recent realization about the sleep symbol in Elden Ring comes just ahead of the highly anticipated release of Elden Ring: Nightreign in May 2025. The new co-op game is expected to bring a wealth of fresh content to the Lands Between, along with potentially more subtle discoveries like the sleep symbol, giving its legions of fans plenty to look forward to.
Elden Ring
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 95 /100 Critics Rec: 98%
- Released
- February 25, 2022
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Developer(s)
- From Software
- Publisher(s)
- Bandai Namco Entertainment, From Software
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.
- Engine
- Proprietary
- Multiplayer
- Online Co-Op, Online Multiplayer
- Cross-Platform Play
- PS4 & PS5 and Xbox One & Xbox Series X|S
- Cross Save
- no
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- yes
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X
- How Long To Beat
- 58 Hours
- X|S Optimized
- yes
- PS Plus Availability
- N/A
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
