New Game 3 Elden Ring, Since its release in February 2022, Elden Ring has been nothing short of a cultural phenomenon. Developed by FromSoftware and published by Bandai Namco, Elden Ring combines the signature difficulty, intricate world-building, and rich lore that fans of Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and Sekiro have come to love, while introducing a vast open world and a collaborative effort with author George R.R. Martin, who contributed to the game’s deep mythology. The game has earned multiple Game of the Year awards and captivated a global player base with its brutal challenges, cryptic storytelling, and beautifully crafted lands.
Given Elden Ring‘s success, fans have been eagerly anticipating what comes next. So, what are the prospects for the future of Elden Ring? While the developers have kept tight-lipped about a direct sequel or additional entries in the series, there are several potential directions the franchise could go in 2024 and beyond.
Here’s an exploration of what’s next for Elden Ring fans, including potential DLCs, expansions, and speculations about Elden Ring 3.
1. Expansions and DLC: A New Era for The Lands Between?
While we haven’t heard any official word on Elden Ring 2 or Elden Ring 3 yet, what’s most likely coming first are major DLC expansions. FromSoftware has a history of releasing expansive DLC packs that add to the lore, areas, and depth of their games, and Elden Ring seems ripe for this treatment. As of 2023, FromSoftware released “Shadow of the Erdtree”, the first major expansion for Elden Ring, which brought a fresh chapter to the game’s already intricate world.
Shadow of the Erdtree is expected to expand the mythos of the game, explore untapped storylines, and introduce new areas to explore—possibly expanding further on the rich landscape of The Lands Between. The fact that FromSoftware has continued to support Elden Ring with updates and free content like new game modes and balancing tweaks makes it highly plausible that 2024 will see further content drops in the form of additional story-driven expansions, as well as new bosses and weapons that continue to define the challenging gameplay the series is known for.
Expansions like these could offer:
- New Regions: The Lands Between is massive, but we’ve only scratched the surface. There are many areas that were hinted at or left unexplored in the base game. Whether it’s a descent into the deepest dungeons or a journey across distant lands beyond the fog, new zones could add to the already diverse ecosystems of Elden Ring.
- Additional Bosses: FromSoftware is known for creating memorable and challenging bosses. New DLC could bring some of the most difficult encounters yet, perhaps tying into the lore of existing characters or introducing fresh, enigmatic foes that challenge even the most experienced players.
- New Weapons, Skills, and Magic: Elden Ring has an impressive array of weaponry, from simple swords to colossal, gravity-defying hammers, each with unique movesets. New weapons or abilities could push players to experiment with different combat styles, expanding the possibilities for both PvE and PvP.
- A Richer Story: One of the key draws of Elden Ring is its deep and mysterious storytelling. Future DLCs could explore more of the lore introduced by George R.R. Martin, revealing more about the Elden Ring itself, the mysterious figures that shape the world, and the events leading up to the Shattering.
If Shadow of the Erdtree does well and continues to be received positively by the community, FromSoftware may well continue to develop additional content, with the potential for multiple story expansions.
2. The Possibility of Elden Ring 3: What’s Next?
The idea of a direct Elden Ring 3 remains highly speculative, but the overwhelming success of Elden Ring and its rich lore suggests that a sequel or continuation of the story might eventually happen. That said, Elden Ring differs slightly from other FromSoftware games in that it is set in a more expansive and open world, which leaves ample room for more storytelling opportunities. Whether the next title will be a direct sequel or set in the same universe remains to be seen, but fans are already speculating on a number of potential directions for the franchise.
Thematic and Lore Possibilities for Elden Ring 3:
- A New Tarnished: While Elden Ring’s protagonist, the “Tarnished,” ascends to greatness by claiming the Elden Ring, the next installment could feature a new Tarnished, one who emerges after the events of the first game. Perhaps the Elden Ring’s power has been re-shattered, or there’s a new force rising to challenge the remnants of the world. A different Tarnished could bring a fresh perspective on the lore and how the world has changed since the first game’s conclusion.
- A Different World, Same Universe: One potential direction for Elden Ring 3 is to set the game in an entirely new region of the same universe. While The Lands Between was a beautifully realized world, there may be even more realms to explore. FromSoftware could use this opportunity to introduce new environments, pantheons of gods, and new mythologies—all tied to the same overarching lore that George R.R. Martin and the studio have developed.
- A Deeper Dive into the Outer Gods: Elden Ring was filled with mysterious and often cryptic characters, many of whom were tied to the concept of the Greater Will, the Outer Gods, and the cosmic forces that manipulate the world’s events. A sequel could delve further into the power and motives of these entities, exploring their impact on the world and what happens when the Elden Ring’s power is fully restored—or broken forever.
- The Return of the Shattering: The Shattering event that fractured the Elden Ring was central to the game’s plot. It’s possible that a new story could pick up right after the events of Elden Ring, showing the consequences of the Shattering’s aftermath. Perhaps the power of the Elden Ring has been reclaimed or reformed in a different form, and new factions or forces rise to claim it for themselves.
3. Multiplayer and Co-Op Updates: Expanding the Online Experience
Multiplayer and co-op play are integral parts of the Elden Ring experience, and Elden Ring 3 or any future DLC expansions could further develop these aspects. In 2023, Elden Ring received an update that enhanced its online features, including the ability for players to participate in larger-scale co-op sessions and PvP invasions.
Further updates could introduce:
- Dedicated Co-Op Campaigns: While co-op is available in Elden Ring, it remains limited. Future content could expand this, offering more robust co-op campaigns where players can team up for dedicated quests or even face unique bosses in large groups.
- Expanded PvP Modes: PvP in Elden Ring offers a deep and challenging experience, but Elden Ring 3 could push this further, introducing new arenas, special PvP-only events, or even a ranked competitive system for players looking to prove their skills against others.
- Cross-Platform Play: Fans have also expressed hope for cross-platform play, and if Elden Ring 3 or its expansions were to support this feature, it could unite even more players in the shared experience.
4. Elden Ring and Beyond: The Future of FromSoftware Games
Whether or not we see Elden Ring 3 in the immediate future, FromSoftware’s other projects will likely continue to influence the franchise. In addition to the already announced Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon (set to launch in 2023), FromSoftware’s exploration of different genres and gameplay experiences could inspire future titles in the Elden Ring universe.
If Elden Ring is not the final chapter in the saga of the Lands Between, then there may be other unexpected, creative twists that the studio has in store for fans. Given FromSoftware’s innovative approach to game design, it’s safe to say that the world of Elden Ring and its legacy will continue to be part of the conversation in gaming for years to come.
Conclusion: What’s Next for Elden Ring Fans?
Whether Elden Ring continues with additional DLC expansions or evolves into a full-fledged sequel, FromSoftware has demonstrated that they have mastered the art of building intricate worlds that resonate with players long after the credits roll. The future of Elden Ring is a topic of much anticipation, and while we may not yet know if Elden Ring 3 is in the cards, fans can look forward to more content, lore, and experiences in this stunning, brutal, and mysterious universe. With Elden Ring already leaving a massive mark on gaming history, it’s clear that the legacy of The Lands Between is far from over.