The prospect of an Elden Ring 2 has become less certain following recent remarks from the game’s director. Since its 2022 launch, Elden Ring has achieved monumental success, selling almost 30 million copies and sweeping Game of the Year awards. This widespread acclaim naturally led fans to anticipate a sequel as a top priority for FromSoftware. However, this appears not to be the case.
FromSoftware president and Elden Ring director Hidetaka Miyazaki, in an interview with IGN Japan (via Automaton), stated that a direct sequel isn’t currently in the studio’s plans. Despite this, Miyazaki hinted at the potential for the Elden Ring franchise to expand “in some form in the future.” This leaves the door open for various possibilities, such as a new game within the Elden Ring universe, a TV adaptation, a film, or other unexplored avenues. While a direct Elden Ring 2 seems unlikely for now, the franchise’s journey is far from over.
In the long term, the development of an Elden Ring 2 seems almost inevitable. FromSoftware’s apparent interest in revisiting the world of Elden Ring, combined with Bandai Namco’s likely desire to capitalize on the original game’s phenomenal sales, suggests a sequel is more a matter of “when” than “if.”
A potential obstacle to Elden Ring 2’s development lies with FromSoftware’s parent company, Kadokawa. Recent reports indicate Kadokawa has been a target for acquisition by Sony. While the deal remains unfinalized, Sony’s potential control of FromSoftware could create complexities with the licensing agreements surrounding Elden Ring. However, since FromSoftware fully owns the Elden Ring IP, a sequel could theoretically be published by any company, not just Bandai Namco.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding a sequel, fans can currently enjoy Elden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree DLC. Released earlier this year, this substantial expansion is practically a new game in itself. Its popularity is evident in its nomination for Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2024, scheduled for December 12th.
