WithElden Ring, FromSoftware has perfected the ability to build hype and anticipation while showing next to nothing, as fans are in for their second trip this time around with Shadow of the Erdtree. Just like the base game, things have practically been quiet on all fronts since FromSoftware just randomly announced the DLC—shortly after the game’s first anniversary. All fans have received forElden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree DLC is one imageshowing a figure, believed to be Miquella, riding Torrent near a corrupted, destroyed Erdtree, as well as a few assurances that development was moving forward.
Elden Ringhas always been something different for FromSoftware, as the developer applied its tried-and-true Souls game formula to an open-world format. The result is easily one of FromSoftware’s biggest games to date, as well as a genre-defining action RPG hailed as one of the best games of 2022. Therefore, it’s no real surprise to see FromSoftware doing things a little differently with the title and its DLC, which is reflected in a way that a time-honored pattern and tradition has been broken.
FromSoftware DLC Pattern
In short, the time between the DLC reveal and the release ofElden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree has far surpassed any DLC the developer has ever put out. The procedural elements of game development can sometimes, though not always, be reflected as patterns. Every DLC release for FromSoftware’sDark Soulstrilogy (thoughDark Souls 2is a little different) andBloodbornetook place between 6 months and one year after the game’s release. Shadow of the Erdtree’s very announcement breaks from this pattern, but the fact that its initial announcement and proper reveal time is longer than its typical DLC practices is a massive tradition break too.
Of course, it was always likely thatElden Ring’s DLC would break from this FromSoftware pattern, if solely because of the scope of the game.Elden Ring’s base game is much bigger than any of the aforementioned titles, and it stands to reason that DLC would be too. In fact, recent rumors suggest thatElden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree is the size of two DLCs. With the base game’s larger scope, with the DLC’s larger scope, it’s no surprise to see this time take nearly twice as long, if not more so in the long run.
A recent rumor suggested thatElden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree DLC would release in February 2024, putting this DLC far outside the pattern by releasing two years after the initial game. Yet, it’s impossible to say how accurate this rumor really is, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see FromSoftware take even longer with the DLC.
Nonetheless, should the stars align,2024 could be a great year forElden Ring.
Elden Ring
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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.
