Elden Ring took the world by storm when it launched in 2022, with many FromSoftware and George R.R. Martin fans alike falling in love with the collaborative, fantasy-action RPG. Not only did its combat encounters, bosses, and more trend online every day for months, but it would take home the coveted Game of the Year award at The Game Awards in 2022. While many games would rest on those laurels alone, FromSoftware wasn't having that with Elden Ring.

Around its first anniversary in February 2023, FromSoftware would officially announce Elden Ring's Shadow of the Erdtree DLC. Anticipation surged throughout the community, but that was by and large all that had been said about it all year. FromSoftware has been quiet and heads down working on the DLC ever since, occasionally popping up to confirm its development was moving along smoothly. There have been plenty of Elden Ring DLC rumors in this period of silence, though many are easily dismissible, but it stands to reason that 2024 will be the year of the Erdtree.

Dragonkin Soldier Elden Ring Hidden Secret
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Elden Ring DLC News

Many anticipated Elden Ring's DLC would appear at The Game Awards, but that proved not to be the case. There was no prior announcement or anything, and it's unlikely at this point that any official news will come before the end of the year. As such, 2024 is the most likely year for news and a release of Elden Ring's DLC. It's not impossible that it somehow slips into 2025, but that feels very unlikely.

While unconfirmed, it seems likely that fans will learn something about Elden Ring's DLC in February, the two-year anniversary mark, if not beforehand.

Thus far, all Elden Ring fans have been treated to of the DLC is an image of a long-haired character riding Torrent, heading toward a destroyed Erdtree. This image has led to endless speculation, with many believing the Elden Ring character to be Malenia's brother Miquella, but it also fits in with how FromSoftware marketed Elden Ring. It was silent for extended periods of time until FromSoftware started fully marketing the game, and its release came not too long thereafter. As such, fans can expect a similar news cycle for Shadow of the Erdtree. Right now, we are firmly in a similar period of silence, but once FromSoftware starts marketing Shadow of the Erdtree, fans can expect a release not too long thereafter. Given that it is a DLC and not a full-blown game, fans can also reasonably expect the period between marketing and release to be somewhat shorter. The emphasis, however, is on somewhat, especially if rumors are to be believed.

elden ring miquella shadow of the erdtree concept art

Based on the scope and past FromSoftware DLC, it stands to reason players can expect the following as far as content goes:

  • A new (or changed map)
  • A new story and sidequest content
  • New weapon, armor, spells, and Ashes of War
  • New Bosses
  • Much More

Elden Ring DLC Rumors Paint a Pretty Picture

All rumors should be treated as such, just rumors, and Elden Ring has been inundated with rumors since DLC speculation began. However, in a sea of empty claims, there is one that holds water. Ahead of Elden Ring's Shadow of the Erdtree DLC reveal, known insider Lance McDonald claimed that a huge DLC was in development. This hasn't really been proven one way or another, but McDonald has a strong enough reputation to buy him the benefit of the doubt. Not long after the DLC was confirmed, McDonald would also explain that Elden Ring's Shadow of the Erdtree is the size of two separate DLCs, at least partially because FromSoftware abandoned plans for a Season Pass. Instead, all of that content is being rolled into one massive expansion.

That's incredibly exciting for Elden Ring fans, even if it means there is a much longer wait than most of FromSoftware's DLCs. It could also mean there is a longer news cycle between the full reveal of the DLC and the release thereof, but unless this DLC is the size of Elden Ring itself, it still stands to reason that the DLC will make it out by the end of 2024. If it has as much heft to it as McDonald claims, then it could be massive for the community.

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Elden Ring's Post-DLC Future

While it sounds like Shadow of the Erdtree will be the one and only expansion for Elden Ring, it stands to reason FromSoftware will still issue a few updates after its launch. FromSoftware was quick to make balance changes to various Elden Ring weapons and the like after it first launched, and that balance will likely need tweaking after Shadow of the Erdtree drops. Once this is all wrapped up, updates may become more and more scarce, but fans will likely continue to play the base game and DLC for years to come.

Knowing that FromSoftware will, one day, move on from Elden Ring is somewhat saddening, but the silver lining is equally exciting. FromSoftware is reportedly working on multiple new projects, at least one of which will likely be yet another Souls game.