Elden Ring 2 Isn't In Production, And That's A Good Thing

Elden Ring proved to be an incredible hit for FromSoftware, propelling the games industry forward in unprecedented ways. It set the bar incredibly high for open-world games, showcasing how exploration can be rewarding when handled correctly and how worldbuilding can be immensely enticing, even when dolled out in small bursts. Of course, its monumental success would naturally lead anyone to believe that a sequel is already in the works, but that is seemingly not true.

Elden Ring 2 isn’t in development, nor will it be any time soon. Fans are understandably quite upset, especially when there are plenty of directions FromSoftware’s next game could go. However, moving away from Elden Ring is a great move for FromSoftware and will not only help make it a better developer overall, but also ensure that when Elden Ring 2 eventually comes out, it will be as groundbreaking as its predecessor.

Elden Ring 2 Won’t Be Made Any Time Soon

Miyazaki Confirmed It Isn’t In The Works

During the PlayStation Generations Award ceremony, FromSoftware president Hidetaka Miyazaki confirmed to IGN Japan (translated by Automaton) that there won’t be an Elden Ring 2 any time soon. Miyazaki stated that FromSoftware isn’t “really considering developments such as an Elden Ring 2,” which likely shocked fans across the world, especially considering its enormous success and the fact that its incredible DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree, made history by being the first DLC to be nominated for GOTY at the Game Awards.

It felt like Elden Ring 2 was guaranteed to be the developer’s next game, especially after it garnered such immense critical acclaim and went on to win a number of awards, including Game of the Year. It is a towering achievement, one that quickly cemented itself as a must-play for all gamers, even those who have never touched a soulslike before. It sold incredibly well during its first year and continues to sell well across all platforms.

Even After DLC, Elden Ring Is Still Missing An Important Game Mode

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree is a brilliant expansion that adds so much to the base game, but it could still do with another game mode.

However, while it would absolutely make sense for FromSoftware to chase after its success and produce a sequel, not unlike how Nintendo did for BotW, it is leaving Elden Ring alone, at least for the time being. During the ceremony, Miyazaki confirmed that FromSoftware is interested in revisiting Elden Ring in the future, although not any time soon. While many may be disappointed, this is absolutely the best news for FromSoftware and its dedicated fans.

FromSoftware Is Making The Games It Wants To Make

It’s Not Chasing Trends

Two mechs from Armored Core 6 next to each other holding guns.

By putting Elden Ring on the back burner, FromSoftware is allowing itself to make the games it wants to, rather than what perhaps its past successes say it should. Not only does the developer have a wealth of classic games it could revisit, including the Dark Souls series that hasn’t had a game since 2016, but it also clearly has plenty of great ideas for new IP. It has shown a refreshing capacity to work with other creatives to make interesting new universes, and that could lead to other exciting projects that inspire future generations.

It’s Time To Admit You Were Wrong About Elden Ring: Shadow Of The Erdtree

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree was criticized for being difficult at launch, but now the dust has settled, it’s clear it isn’t actually that hard.

Or, FromSoftware could take a break from defining genres and making Game of the Year contenders to simply do what it does best. It can be an immense amount of pressure to follow up one of the greatest games of all time, and frankly, FromSoftware deserves a break. That’s not to say that whatever FromSoftware does next will be bad or that it doesn’t have the potential to be a GOTY winner. However, there won’t be any expectations of it, just as there weren’t with the original Dark Souls or even Elden Ring to an extent, and that is liberating.

Furthermore, FromSoftware rejecting Elden Ring 2 – for the time being – shows it is a developer at the top of its game, one that doesn’t need to rely on its past successes to prop it up. Much like other creatives in Japan who operate on the policy of “one for them, one for me“, including acclaimed director Takashi Miike, for example, FromSoftware can use its continued fame and resources to invest in projects it believes in, including the Armored Core series which it revived after years of sitting dormant.

Of course, FromSoftware has been doing this since the very beginning, as its library of critically acclaimed games is unique and feels like it was made with passion rather than to meet expectations. However, Elden Ring made FromSoftware a household name in a way none of its previous games, even arguably Dark Souls, had done before. Its player count far exceeded its previous games and ushered in a new wave of fans. That should surely give the developer the space from which to launch its new passion project, rather than force it to double down on a singular series.

Elden Ring 2 Shouldn’t Come Out For A Few More Years

FromSoftware Should Continue To Grow

Starting a new character in Elden Ring as the Vagabond Class.

Miyazaki made it clear that, at some point in the future, FromSoftware will return to the Elden Ring IP. However, fans shouldn’t expect to see anything from it in the near or even distant future, and that is, once again, a good thing. Elden Ring and its industry-defining DLC were only possible, and as good as they were, because of the decades of game design that inspired them. Had it not been for the likes of BotW and Skyrim – both of which Miyazaki claimed inspired him while making Elden Ring – it wouldn’t exist in the same way it does today.

Allowing the games industry to grow again and implement a whole new wave of ideas and game design philosophies will allow FromSoftware to examine what works, what doesn’t, and ultimately what is missing, and adjust
Elden Ring 2
accordingly.

Allowing the games industry to grow and implement a whole new wave of ideas and game design philosophies will allow FromSoftware to examine what works, what doesn’t, and ultimately, what is missing, and adjust Elden Ring 2 accordingly. This is the fundamental flaw that Tears of the Kingdom made, as it felt far too similar to its predecessor by not offering anything substantially new. That’s not to say that FromSoftware is incapable of moving the games industry forward by its own initiative, but rather that media can only excel when it understands the failings of that which came before it.

Character from Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree with a gloomy background

10 Secrets Of The Shadow Keep In Elden Ring: Shadow Of The Erdtree

The Shadow Keep in Elden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree expansion holds many secrets, including illusory walls, secret paths, and powerful enemies.

Elden Ring 2 has the potential to be yet another groundbreaking release for FromSoftware, but only if it is given the time it needs to learn and evolve from its predecessor. Without that time, it would likely feel iterative, rather than innovative, something that one of the best games ever made cannot afford to do. FromSoftware has absolutely made the right decision to postpone the development of Elden Ring 2 to both give it the space to work on the games it wants to and to allow it to grow even more as a developer.

Source: IGN Japan, Automaton, Bandai Namco Entertainment America/YouTube