Why did game devs hate Elden Ring?

The assertion that game developers “hated” *Elden Ring* is a gross oversimplification. While some developers might have envied its success or found its design philosophy challenging, outright hatred is unlikely. The game’s reception was overwhelmingly positive, with critical acclaim and significant commercial success. However, *Elden Ring* did challenge established conventions in open-world game design, provoking a complex reaction within the industry.

The game’s “throw the player in and good luck” approach, while seemingly harsh, represents a deliberate departure from the hand-holding prevalent in many open-world titles. This “souls-like” design philosophy, characterized by its unforgiving difficulty and minimal guidance, demanded a different skillset and player investment than most contemporary games. This innovation sparked debate:

Increased Difficulty & Skill Ceiling: *Elden Ring* pushed players to learn from their mistakes and master intricate combat mechanics. This contrasted sharply with many open-world games that prioritize accessibility over challenging gameplay. While some praised this approach, others criticized its potential to alienate casual players.
Environmental Storytelling: Unlike many games that rely heavily on cutscenes and dialogue, *Elden Ring* employed a more subtle approach, letting players piece together the narrative through environmental details and item descriptions. This enriched world-building resonated with some, while others found it too cryptic or opaque.
Redefining Open-World Design: The game’s open world wasn’t just a large map filled with tasks; it fostered exploration and discovery, rewarding players who engaged with the environment actively. This shift away from traditional, structured open-world gameplay created both praise and apprehension about the potential for mimicking such a design philosophy in the future.

Therefore, instead of “hatred,” the industry response to *Elden Ring* was more akin to a complex evaluation: appreciation for its innovative approach versus concern about its accessibility and potential for imitation. The game undoubtedly set a new benchmark, prompting discussions about the future of open-world design and the balance between challenging gameplay and player accessibility.

Is it worth killing NPCs in Elden Ring?

Killing NPCs in Elden Ring? Let’s be clear: it’s a high-risk, high-reward proposition. Forget morality; we’re talking about strategic advantage.

Some NPCs drop unique, powerful gear. Think rare armor sets, weapons with devastating Ashes of War – the kind of loot that’ll make your opponents weep. But it’s not a guaranteed farm. You’ll need to identify your targets carefully. Edgar and Millicent? Their questlines yield decent rewards, but killing them early might net you slightly better early-game gear. Weigh your options carefully.

Here’s the PvP perspective:

Aggro Management: Certain NPCs, like D and Freyja, will become aggressive if their questlines are interrupted. This can be used to your advantage in PvP. Lure them into a fight with an unsuspecting duelist. Chaos ensues.
Item Acquisition: The unique drops from NPC kills aren’t just about stats. Some items offer unique buffs or effects that can significantly alter the PvP meta. Experiment!
Risk vs. Reward: The biggest risk? Losing access to valuable quest items and services. Plan carefully. Identify which NPCs are expendable and which are crucial for your overall build progression. A well-timed assassination can be devastating, but a poorly planned one can severely cripple your character.

Pro-tip: Don’t just murder. Observe. Learn their attack patterns, find weaknesses. NPCs, even aggressive ones, are predictable. Use that predictability to your advantage in PvP by using their death as a means to control the battlefield or gain an edge.

Will Elden Ring get a movie?

The Elden Ring movie? It’s a hot topic, man. Seriously, the fan hype is insane. We’re talking a 25-million-selling game, a cultural phenomenon. Miyazaki himself is open to it, but he’s not just handing it over to anyone. He wants a very strong partner – someone who understands the soul, the grit, the sheer *epicness* of the game. Think top-tier production, a studio with a proven track record of adapting complex narratives successfully, not some fly-by-night operation.

The challenge? It’s massive. Elden Ring isn’t your typical linear story. The open world, the intricate lore, the ambiguous storytelling… adapting all that to a movie format without losing the essence would be a nightmare. They’d need a director who gets it, a team who can handle the scale, and a budget that reflects the ambition.

Here’s what a successful adaptation would need:

Faithful Adaptation of Core Themes: Not just the surface-level plot, but the themes of overcoming adversity, the cyclical nature of history, and the exploration of existential themes. That’s what makes Elden Ring resonate.
Respect for the Lore: They can’t just slap some CGI monsters together. Deep understanding of the Lands Between and its intricate history is a MUST.
Stunning Visuals: Elden Ring’s art style is unique. The movie needs to capture that same breathtaking beauty and grotesque horror.
A Strong Narrative Structure: They need to condense the sprawling narrative into a cohesive and engaging cinematic experience. This will be tricky but crucial for success.

Basically, it’s a high-stakes gamble. Done right, it could be legendary. Done wrong… well, let’s just say the internet would have a field day. But given Miyazaki’s involvement, it’ll only happen if it’s going to be done properly.

How long did it take FromSoftware to make Elden Ring?

Development of Elden Ring, FromSoftware’s sprawling open-world action RPG, spanned a significant five-year period, commencing in 2017 and culminating in its February 2025 release. This timeframe, however, doesn’t fully capture the sheer scope of the undertaking.

Pre-Production & Legacy: While the official development started in 2017, the groundwork likely began earlier, drawing upon the accumulated experience and technological advancements from previous titles like Dark Souls III and Bloodborne. The engine, for example, was undoubtedly iterated upon and refined, reducing the time needed for core development. This legacy is evident in the game’s core mechanics, yet simultaneously marks a bold departure into a new open-world format.

Challenges of Open World Development: Creating a truly seamless and engaging open world presented immense challenges. FromSoftware had to overcome the technical hurdles of pop-in, maintaining a consistent level of detail across vast landscapes, and meticulously designing numerous interconnected areas without sacrificing the sense of discovery and wonder. The ambitious scale likely contributed to the overall development time.

Post-Launch Support: The five-year figure only accounts for the initial development. FromSoftware’s ongoing commitment to post-launch support, including substantial patches and updates addressing bugs, balance issues, and adding new content, extends the development lifecycle considerably. This iterative refinement reflects their dedication to continuously improving the player experience, a hallmark of their development philosophy.

Team Size and Resources: While precise numbers remain undisclosed, the project undoubtedly required a substantial team and considerable resources. Coordinating the efforts of such a large group across multiple development phases would have presented significant logistical and managerial complexities. The success of Elden Ring speaks volumes about their ability to overcome these challenges.

Does FromSoftware own Elden Ring IP?

So, the Elden Ring IP? That’s all FromSoftware now. They fully own it. Remember, these guys are the brains behind Bloodborne and the Dark Souls series – absolute legends in the action RPG space. Getting full ownership of Elden Ring after its massive success is a huge deal for them.

This means a few things:

More Elden Ring content: Think DLC, sequels, maybe even remakes down the line. They control the narrative and future development completely.
Greater creative freedom: No publisher breathing down their necks. FromSoftware can really explore whatever direction they want to take the Elden Ring universe.
Increased profitability: All the profits from merchandise, future releases, and licensing go straight to FromSoftware, bolstering their already impressive financial position and allowing them to invest in future projects.

It’s a significant milestone for the studio, solidifying their position in the industry and potentially paving the way for even more ambitious projects in the future. Think about the implications – this is big!

Are there friendly NPCs in Elden Ring?

Elden Ring’s NPC interaction deviates significantly from traditional open-world RPGs. Contrary to expectations, Miyazaki’s design philosophy eschews bustling towns and cities populated with friendly NPCs. Instead, the game employs a more deliberate, discovery-based approach reminiscent of the Soulsborne series.

This design choice presents a unique challenge and reward system for players. Think of it as a vertical progression system within the social mechanics; building relationships isn’t about prolonged conversations in a tavern, but about uncovering fragmented narratives and assisting isolated individuals scattered throughout the Lands Between.

Key implications for gameplay:

Increased exploration incentive: NPC discovery becomes a crucial part of exploration, rewarding careful investigation and attention to detail. The lack of readily available quest-givers forces players to actively seek out interactions.
Heightened sense of isolation and immersion: The sparsely populated world contributes to a powerful sense of loneliness and vulnerability, accentuating the player’s journey.
Strategic resource management: The limited availability of NPC interactions forces players to carefully consider which NPCs they assist, maximizing the benefits of limited resources.
Emphasis on environmental storytelling: The absence of traditional NPC hubs shifts the focus towards environmental storytelling, with the player piecing together narratives through item descriptions, gestures, and fleeting encounters.

While lacking the immediate gratification of a welcoming city, this approach fosters a uniquely rewarding and immersive experience, demanding active participation and keen observation from the player to unravel the intricate web of relationships and narratives within Elden Ring’s world.

Is Elden Ring criticized by game developers over UI?

Elden Ring’s UI? Amateur hour. While the casual gamer whines about “clunky” menus, we veterans know it’s a deliberate design choice, a test of mettle. It forces you to *learn* the game, to internalize its systems rather than relying on hand-holding. That’s what separates the wheat from the chaff in PvP.

The real criticism? It’s not the UI’s *clunkiness* – it’s the *lack of intuitive discoverability*. New players get lost in the menus, struggling to find essential information. This isn’t a design flaw; it’s a skill check. But for FromSoft, it’s a missed opportunity. A cleaner, more streamlined UI wouldn’t diminish the challenge; it would enhance the experience for everyone.

Consider these points:

Inventory management: A nightmare for newcomers. Experienced players develop strategies to minimize menu navigation during combat – a crucial skill in PvP.
Spell/item organization: The lack of robust sorting/categorization hinders quick access. This difference between quick access and slow access dictates the outcome of many PvP encounters.
Map functionality: While the map itself is beautiful, its lack of clear quest markers or detailed information is a major hurdle. This is less impactful in PvP, but significantly affects PvE progress for many.

The Western developers complaining? They’re missing the point. It’s not *bad* UI; it’s *challenging* UI. The challenge, however, could be improved without compromising its core philosophy. It’s a game of skill, yes, but skillful UI design shouldn’t be an obstacle to that skill.

How long did it take you to 100% Elden Ring?

So you wanna know the Elden Ring 100% completion grind? Think of it like a high-level raid boss – a marathon, not a sprint. The main story? A casual 60-hour run, good for a quick leaderboard entry. But true completion? That’s a whole different beast.

133 hours is the average time for 100% completion – a serious time investment. That’s equivalent to several major esports tournaments! We’re talking all bosses, all achievements, every single collectible, every hidden area explored. It’s not just about skill; it’s about meticulous exploration and farming.

Here’s the breakdown of what inflates that playtime:

Farming runes: Leveling up to max stats requires significant grinding, often involving repetitive boss fights or farming specific areas.
Finding every item: Elden Ring is massive, with hidden items and areas scattered across the Lands Between. This requires extensive exploration and potentially using guides and online resources.
Completing all optional content: Numerous side quests, challenging dungeons, and secret bosses add considerably to the playtime.

Pro-tip: Build efficiency into your strategy. Optimize your build for farming early and utilize community resources to find hidden areas. Think of it as a strategic optimization challenge within the game itself. This is not just about playtime; it’s about maximizing your efficiency per hour.

Who tried to fix the Elden Ring?

Who Attempted to Mend the Shattered Elden Ring?

Radagon, Marika’s other half, undertook the monumental task of repairing the Elden Ring. This desperate attempt followed the cataclysmic Night of Black Knives, a treacherous event orchestrated by Malenia’s brother, resulting in Marika’s shattering of the Elden Ring and the subsequent fracturing of the Golden Order.

Understanding Radagon’s Motivation:

Loyalty to the Golden Order: Unlike Marika, who chose a different path, Radagon remained steadfast in his devotion to the Golden Order, viewing its preservation as paramount.
The Hammer of Restoration (and Destruction): Radagon utilized the very same colossal hammer that Marika employed to shatter the Elden Ring in his attempt at repair. This symbolic act highlights the cyclical nature of creation and destruction within the game’s lore.

The Significance of Radagon’s Actions:

A Failed Attempt at Restoration: Despite his efforts and divine power, Radagon’s attempt to mend the Elden Ring ultimately failed. This highlights the irrevocability of Marika’s actions and the deeply fractured state of the Lands Between.
Setting the Stage for the Tarnished’s Journey: Radagon’s failure and subsequent merging with Marika creates the crucial circumstances that propel the Tarnished on their quest to become the Elden Lord. The very act of repair and its failure lays the groundwork for the player’s ultimate challenge.

Further Exploration:

Investigate Marika’s motivations: Understanding Marika’s reasoning behind shattering the Elden Ring is crucial to grasping the full context of Radagon’s actions and the overarching narrative.
Examine the implications of the Golden Order: Delve deeper into the tenets and impact of the Golden Order to better comprehend the significance of its fracture and Radagon’s desperate attempt to restore it.

Is Elden Ring 2 confirmed?

No, Elden Ring 2 isn’t confirmed. FromSoftware has explicitly stated there are no plans for a direct sequel. However, the Elden Ring franchise’s future is far from over. The studio is currently juggling multiple projects, fueling speculation regarding several potential titles.

Armored Core‘s revival is a strong possibility, given FromSoftware’s history with the franchise and recent teasers. A new entry in the series could offer a fascinating blend of the studio’s signature challenging combat with the mech-based action that defines the Armored Core experience. It’s a departure from the open-world fantasy of Elden Ring, but one that could still resonate with fans.

Furthermore, the ongoing saga surrounding Kadokawa, FromSoftware’s parent company, and Sony’s potential acquisition adds another layer of intrigue. While not directly impacting Elden Ring sequels, this could drastically shape FromSoftware’s future projects, potentially influencing funding, resources, and even creative direction. The implications are substantial, especially considering the studio’s growing influence in the gaming landscape.

Instead of a direct Elden Ring 2, we might see a different approach to expanding the lore and gameplay mechanics within the Lands Between. This could manifest in DLC expansions, a spin-off title focusing on a different character or region, or even a completely new IP that incorporates elements of Elden Ring‘s success.

In short: While a numbered sequel is off the table for now, the world of Elden Ring, and FromSoftware’s future, is ripe with exciting possibilities. The coming years will undoubtedly reveal much.

Is Bandai no longer owner of Elden Ring?

Elden Ring Trademark Ownership: A Clarification

Contrary to popular belief, Bandai Namco no longer shares ownership of the Elden Ring trademark. FromSoftware, the game’s developer, now holds sole ownership.

What does this mean?

Increased Creative Control for FromSoftware: This shift signifies greater creative autonomy for FromSoftware in future Elden Ring related projects, including potential DLC, sequels, or merchandise.
Potential for Independent Expansion: FromSoftware now has complete control over the brand’s future direction, potentially leading to more unique and ambitious projects.
Licensing and Merchandise: FromSoftware now directly manages licensing agreements for Elden Ring merchandise, potentially impacting the availability and types of official products.

Historical Context:

Initially, Bandai Namco, as the publisher, shared ownership of the trademark with FromSoftware, a common practice in game development.
The transfer of sole ownership to FromSoftware likely reflects the immense success of Elden Ring and FromSoftware’s growing stature in the gaming industry.

In short: The change in trademark ownership represents a significant milestone for FromSoftware, granting them complete control over their critically acclaimed open-world RPG and its future.

Is Elden Ring the most successful FromSoftware game?

Elden Ring’s commercial success is undeniable, surpassing even the cumulative sales of the critically acclaimed Dark Souls trilogy by a significant margin of over 2 million units. This landmark achievement solidifies its position as FromSoftware’s best-selling title, a testament to its broad appeal beyond the niche fanbase cultivated by previous titles.

Factors contributing to this unprecedented success include:

Open World Design: The shift from linear level design to a sprawling open world significantly broadened the game’s accessibility, attracting players who might have been intimidated by the notoriously challenging nature of FromSoftware’s previous releases.
Accessibility Options: While maintaining its signature difficulty, Elden Ring incorporated several accessibility options, allowing a wider range of players to experience the game’s compelling narrative and challenging combat.
Marketing and Hype: The extensive marketing campaign leading up to the release successfully generated significant hype and anticipation, resulting in a massive player base on launch.
Streamers and Content Creators: The game’s accessibility and engaging gameplay loops were highly conducive to streaming and content creation, further amplifying its reach and popularity within the gaming community.

However, defining success solely through sales figures is reductive. While Elden Ring’s commercial performance is exceptional, the impact of Dark Souls on the gaming landscape and its influence on subsequent titles, including Elden Ring itself, cannot be ignored. Dark Souls established the genre-defining “Souls-like” formula, laying the groundwork for Elden Ring’s success. Therefore, while Elden Ring boasts the highest sales, assessing its overall impact requires a more nuanced analysis beyond mere commercial metrics. The long-term legacy and cultural impact of both titles remain to be fully determined.

Is Elden Ring a high demanding game?

Elden Ring, even with the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion, is a beast. It’s not just challenging gameplay-wise; it’ll really push your PC. We’re talking high-end hardware here, folks.

Graphics settings are key. Ultra settings look amazing, but they’ll tank your FPS, especially in busier areas like Crumbling Farum Azula or Leyndell. You’ll need a seriously beefy rig to handle it all at max settings with a decent framerate.

Here’s the breakdown of what impacts performance most:

Shadow Quality: This is a HUGE performance hog. Lowering this significantly boosts FPS.
Texture Resolution: High-res textures look great, but they eat up VRAM. Consider Medium or High unless you have a monster GPU.
Draw Distance: Seeing things far away is pretty, but it’s a major performance hit. Reducing this helps a lot.
Ambient Occlusion: This adds realism to shadows, but it’s performance-intensive. Experiment to find a balance.

My advice? Don’t be afraid to tweak settings. Experiment to find the sweet spot between visuals and performance. Start with a preset like High or Medium, then selectively lower individual settings to get the best frame rate you can handle without sacrificing too much visual fidelity. And yeah, if you’re aiming for 4K and max settings, be prepared to invest in some serious hardware. A good CPU and a powerful GPU are absolutely essential.

Pro-tip: DLSS or FSR can be your best friend here. These upscaling technologies can significantly improve performance without noticeably impacting image quality. Highly recommend experimenting with these if your card supports them.

What game is the longest to beat?

Melvor Idle, a Runescape-esque idle/incremental game, reigns supreme as the longest game to complete, boasting a staggering 3,126 hours according to HowLongToBeat (HLTB). That’s over four months of solid playtime! This isn’t about raw skill; it’s about relentless grinding and optimization. Think of it as a marathon, not a sprint. Mastering the intricate skill system and resource management is crucial, demanding meticulous planning and patience.

Key factors contributing to its immense playtime:

Massive Skill Tree: A sprawling skill tree with hundreds of skills to level, each requiring significant investment of time and resources.
Deep Progression System: Exponential growth in both skill levels and resource acquisition makes the late-game incredibly demanding.
Idle Nature, But Not Without Active Management: While idle, frequent checks and strategic decisions are essential to maximize efficiency.

Conversely, Trivia Vault: Super Heroes Trivia clocks in at a mere 1 minute and 12 seconds, highlighting the vast spectrum of game lengths. The sheer difference between these two extremes showcases the diverse experiences available within the gaming world.

Consider this for your PvP strategies: The sheer time commitment of Melvor Idle might be a weakness for some players who prioritize quicker victories. Understanding these time commitments allows you to exploit weaknesses in opponent’s game selection and preparation.

Is Elden Ring 30 hours long?

Thirty hours? That’s Miyazaki’s estimate for a completely streamlined playthrough, ignoring almost everything the game offers. Consider it a bare minimum for seeing the ending credits.

Realistically, expect significantly more. My experience, and that of countless others, points to a much broader range.

Casual players: 50-80+ hours. Exploring areas thoroughly, experimenting with builds, and possibly getting stuck on some bosses.
Completionists: 100+ hours. This includes finding all items, bosses, and areas, maxing out your character, and potentially multiple playthroughs with different builds.
Speedrunners: Sub 5 hours (though this is a very niche category).

Factors influencing playtime:

Exploration: Elden Ring’s open world is vast. Getting lost (in a good way!) is part of the fun, and significantly adds to the playtime.
Combat Style: Experimenting with different weapons, spells, and builds adds replayability and extends the game’s length considerably.
Difficulty: Some bosses will require significant practice and strategy. Expect to spend considerable time refining your approach.
Side Quests: Numerous side quests offer additional lore, items, and challenges, easily adding dozens of hours.

In short: 30 hours is a misleading benchmark. Plan for much longer, and embrace the journey – it’s a core part of what makes Elden Ring so compelling.