FromSoftware has crafted several beloved gaming franchises over the years, each enjoying popularity partly due to sequels. Starting with their very first title, King’s Field in 1994, which maintained its presence for nearly a decade, followed by Armored Core lasting over 25 years, and the Dark Souls trilogy shining bright for five years. However, Elden Ring has forged a new path.
Nearly three years have passed since Elden Ring launched, yet it remains a hot topic. Rather than expanding via sequels, Elden Ring has stayed in the spotlight thanks to a substantial expansion and an intriguing multiplayer spin-off on the horizon. This approach could be a lesson for future FromSoftware projects.
Elden Ring Sets the Stage for Future FromSoftware Innovators
FromSoftware’s past games, like the Dark Souls trilogy, have successfully extended their lifespans with fantastic downloadable content. But Elden Ring’s "Shadow of the Erdtree" marks a new pinnacle for DLC from the studio.
This expansion offers an expansive, unexplored world, over 80 fresh boss battles, eight novel weapon classes, and numerous new questlines. It feels almost like a sequel to the original 2022 game. Naturally, the buzz around this massive addition has rejuvenated Elden Ring’s presence two years post-launch, and the vast content will likely keep players engaged for years.
Even though developing "Shadow of the Erdtree" took two years, it was probably a quicker endeavor than building a full sequel from scratch. Reusing assets and the core structure of the base game allowed FromSoftware to efficiently create this large-scale content. For future IPs that are successful but may not justify a complete sequel, this method of expansion might offer a viable way to give them renewed energy.
Elden Ring Nightreign Points to Spin-offs as a Future Path
In addition to this expansion, FromSoftware is set to keep Elden Ring’s universe alive with "Elden Ring Nightreign," a forthcoming 3-player co-op roguelike designed for endless replayability. This innovative approach suggests that franchises can explore new directions beyond just sequels or DLC.
Many of FromSoftware’s previous IPs, despite being highly popular, have not expanded beyond their initial entries, leaving untapped potential. Games like Bloodborne and Sekiro are key examples; although Bloodborne had a well-received DLC, both titles could have offered even more. Perhaps Elden Ring’s strategy post-launch is the key to unlocking such possibilities.
