Based on a recent trademark filing change, Elden Ring is now wholly owned by FromSoftware instead of being shared with Bandai Namco Entertainment. Elden Ring originally launched in 2022, becoming the best-selling and one of the highest-rated games that FromSoftware ever developed. Not only was the game a huge successor to Dark Souls, but the shift to an open-world setting helped build upon what was previously featured in the franchise and elevate FromSoftware's pedigree.
The success of Elden Ring saw it accruing multiple Game of 2022 awards, much to director Hidetaka Miyazaki's surprise. About a year after Elden Ring's release, FromSoftware confirmed it was working on a post-game DLC known as Shadow of the Erdtree, though no release date has been given for this content. One bit of surprising news regarding the IP is regarding the trademark holders, as Elden Ring is now wholly owned by FromSoftware.
This Elden Ring trademark filing was updated earlier this week at the United States Trademark and Patent Office, where it lists FromSoftware as the sole owner, as opposed to FromSoftware and Bandai Namco previously. Ever since the release of 2011's Dark Souls, Bandai Namco Entertainment and the Kadokawa Conglomerate have been helping fund and publish FromSoftware's titles, including Elden Ring. According to this filing, the change in ownership of the Elden Ring IP happened sometime back in April 2023. FromSoftware has yet to comment on this change.
This change was likely due to investments in FromSoftware by Sony and Tencent, bringing them to a 30% stake, along with how FromSoftware expanded its operations following Elden Ring's success. For reference, FromSoftware's Dark Souls series is owned by Bandai Namco, while Demon's Souls and Bloodborne are owned by Sony. Elden Ring is now the second IP solely owned by FromSoftware, followed by Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice.
With FromSoftware being the sole proprietor of the Elden Ring IP, this puts recent rumors regarding Tencent's mobile version of Elden Ring in a new light. The mobile version of Elden Ring will supposedly be inspired by HoYoverse's Genshin Impact, which has multiple characters who can be summoned via a free-to-play gacha system. The big concern from fans regarding this rumor would be how Tencent would translate the expansive open world of Elden Ring into a gacha game that is meant to be played for a long time. That being said, this is still a rumor, so fans should take this news with a grain of salt until Tencent or FromSoftware gives a more official statement about it.
Elden Ring is a fantasy action-RPG adventure set in a world co-created by Hidetaka Miyazaki, the creator of the influential Dark Souls video game series, and George R.R. Martin, the author
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An Elden Ring player believes that the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC might take place in the ominously empty middle part of the game's map. Elden Ring fans have been speculating about the upcoming DLC, and this theory has sparked many conversations among players, who offer different perspectives on the potential location and significance surrounding the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC.
Let Me Solo Her, the legendary Elden Ring player who has helped countless others to defeat the hardest boss in the game, might finally move on from his crusade upon the release of the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC. This much anticipated expansion, which is expected to introduce even more tough opponents, will drop in mid-2024.
DLC finally has a release date and received a new trailer alongside the announcement. In true FromSoftware fashion, there are a lot of hidden details and new enemies in the trailer. But that also means there's plenty of room for speculation while waiting for the DLC to fully release.
A new combat system in ’s DLC will likely change how players approach difficult challenges with bosses and mini-bosses in the additional content for the game. The long-awaited expansion was announced back in February 2023, a year after the base game’s original release. At the time, little information was provided other than the title itself and artwork featuring a blonde character mounted on a Spirit Steed, with an alternative version of the Erdtree far in the distance. Now, more information has been uncovered with the DLC’s gameplay reveal trailer.
Inspired by the Shadow of the Erdtree gameplay reveal trailer, a talented Elden Ring fan completes an impressive painting based on the setting of the new DLC expansion, the Land of Shadow. The Elden Ring painting depicts the Erdtree and the mythical shadow covering the new region that players will soon explore this June.
Renowned Elden Ring director Hidetaka Miyazaki recently spoke about the future of the Dark Souls franchise, suggesting he is open to «delegating» the directorial position to others. Since the debut of Demon's Souls in 2009, the Souls franchise has grown into one of the most recognizable brands within gaming, defining a genre that became known as "Souls-like" games. The franchise has made developer FromSoftware into a household name, recently winning Game of the Year in 2022 for the highly-anticipated Elden Ring. Now, Miyazaki could be looking to take a step back from the franchise.
Some new enemies in ’s DLC have been shown with the reveal of the expansion’s gameplay trailer. The long-awaited DLC for FromSoftware’s award-winning RPG was first announced in February 2023, approximately a year after the base game’s original release. At the time, the content was teased with key art featuring a blond character, believed to be Miquella, mounted on a Spirit Steed with the Erdtree far in the distance. Little to no details were known about the DLC until the DLC gameplay trailer reveal, which showcased a lot of the upcoming content.
Just when fans thought they had explored everything in The Lands Between and were gearing up for their next journey in Elden Ring, FromSoftware has revealed that there is a secret yet to be discovered. In the past few days, the Elden Ring community has been parsing the Shadow of Erdtree DLC trailer for more lore-related hints, but it seems like there is some work left to be done in the base game as well.
From Software president Hidetaka Miyazaki has acknowledged that members of the Dark Souls studio had misgivings about Elden Ring's shift to a full-blown open world format, while qualifying that Elden Ring's vision for an open world was never "traditional". Rather, Elden Ring is an "open world" game in the same way that Dark Souls is a "hard" game, Miyazaki feels. Confused? Well, this is the godfather of the notoriously unforthcoming Souls series we're talking about. I've never interviewed the guy, but I suspect he composes his responses using the game's soapstone messaging system.
As one of the best-reviewed games of all time and with more than 23 million copies shipped worldwide, Elden Ring has been an enormous success for developer FromSoftware, which means it’s only natural to assume that the studio isn’t going to be done with this IP anytime soon in the near future. However, according to FromSoftware boss and Elden Ring director Hidetaka Miyazaki, currently, there are no plans in place for a second expansion following the June release of Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, nor for a full-fledged sequel.