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Elden Ring was finally revealed during Summer Game Fest: Kickoff Live, with a full-length trailer that announced the highly-anticipated game's release date: January 21, 2022.
Elden Ring is an open-world, third-person action RPG, from the studio behind the Dark Souls franchise, FromSoftware, in collaboration with Game of Thrones creator George R.R. Martin. Since the game was revealed at E3 2019, we hadn't heard much about it – until now.
The Summer Game Fest reveal gave us our best look yet at Elden Ring, revealing a bleak world of unsettling mythical monstrosities, dragons and epic combat. Want to know more? Read on for everything we know about Elden Ring.
Elden Ring: cut to the chase
- What is it? An open-world action RPG that sees George R.R. Martin and FromSoftware collaborating
- When can I play it? January 21, 2022
- What can I play it on? Xbox One, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC
Elden Ring release date
Elden Ring releases on January 21, 2022 for PS4, Xbox One, PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC. Following months of speculation, this release date was revealed in the official Elden Ring reveal trailer which was shown during Summer Game Fest: Kickoff Live.
Elden Ring trailer
Reveal trailer
The Elden Ring reveal trailer was shown during the Summer Game Fest: Kickoff Live showcase. The trailer gives us our best look yet at the world George R.R. Martina nd FromSoftware have cooked up: and it's pretty dark. The trailer features grotesquely unique mythical creatures, werewolves, moving pots, mounted combat and epic battles. Check it out below:
Announcement 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
We've rounded up all the biggest news and rumors surrounding Elden Ring, below:
Bandai Namco E3 conference
Elden Ring publisher Bandai Namco is set to host an E3 2021 conference on June 15 at 10:25pm BST / 2:25pm PT / 5:25pm ET (or June 16 at 7:25am AEST). We're hoping we'll find out more about Elden Ring then.
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.
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.
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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