Elden Ring: The End and the Beginning: The Shadow of the Erdtree Marks a Turning Point
Shadow of the Erdtree, according to Miyazaki, will be the game’s only DLC (Downloadable Content). This decision represents a departure from From Software’s traditional approach of releasing multiple expansions, as seen in games like Dark Souls 2 and Dark Souls 3. The release of Shadow of the Erdtree on June 21 will likely bring Elden Ring’s narrative arc to its conclusion.
However, the end of one journey often heralds the beginning of another. Miyazaki has hinted at the possibility of future adventures in the Elden Ring universe, perhaps even more games. As reported by Games Radar, via Chinese publication Zhihu, Miyazaki’s comments suggest that the studio is not ready to declare this the end of the Elden Ring saga.
Echoing a similar sentiment expressed at the end of Dark Souls 3, Miyazaki stated that the studio does not want to “flatten those possibilities or put a pin in them just at that time.” He added, “We don’t want to discourage the possibilities for that. There might be more ideas in the future.”
The game’s publisher, Bandai Namco, also appears to have plans for the future of Elden Ring. Yasuo Miyakawa, the firm’s president and CEO, revealed that Bandai Namco and From Software have “hopes of expanding beyond the realm of games.” He further stated, “Much effort was placed into creating Elden Ring so that we could exceed the expectations of our fans worldwide. In like manner, we will continue our efforts in expanding the brand beyond the game itself, and into everyone’s daily life.”
Since its release on February 25, 2022, Elden Ring has enjoyed phenomenal success. It sold 13.4 million copies worldwide by the end of March 2022, and 23 million by February 2024, making it the fastest-selling Bandai Namco game of all time.
In conclusion, while the release of Shadow of the Erdtree may mark the end of a chapter in the Elden Ring saga, it also opens up exciting possibilities for the future. With hints of future adventures and plans to expand the brand beyond the realm of games, the journey of Elden Ring is far from over. As fans eagerly await the release of Shadow of the Erdtree, they can also look forward to what lies beyond the horizon in the world of Elden Ring.