FromSoftware is gearing up to release Elden Ring in just a few weeks, and players are learning some interesting bits of information about it. Recently, details about Elden Ring's combat, classes, and world have surfaced online, both in the form of leaks and official information from FromSoftware. Now, one more tidbit of information has been spotted, and it does have some implications.
Over on the Steam Store, players have spotted which anti-cheat software Elden Ring is going to use buried in its EULA. According to the EULA, Elden Ring will use Easy Anti-Cheat, one of the most popular options currently on the market. For those unfamiliar, Easy Anti-Cheat is also used in Fortnite, Halo: Master Chief Collection, and Apex Legends, as well as many other popular games. Those that are actively invested in triple-a shooters likely have played one that uses the software.
Elden Ring is primarily a single-player experience, but FromSoftware has incorporated online elements in many of its games. For instance, Elden Ring features PvP, which is where the anti-cheat really comes in handy. However, there's a good chance that players will be punished for using cheats or any other type of trainer software in the single-player component too.
While online games usually have issues with hackers, it's been a particularly notable issue with the Dark Souls series in the past. The addition of Easy Anti-Cheat should assuage some fan concerns about bumping into other players abusing Elden Ring with item injections or other malicious hacks. And, hopefully, Easy Anti-Cheat will prove too difficult for hackers and cheaters to circumvent.
The response to any anti-cheat software announcement is typically mixed, with those that believe it could cause unintentional headaches for those that just want to play a game dragging the inclusion. Of course, anti-cheat software also comes at the chagrin of hackers themselves. The reaction to the announcement seems to be split right now, though it likely won't matter that Elden Ring is using Easy Anti-Cheat simply due to how anticipated it is.
There is the concern of what Easy Anti-Cheat means for Elden Ring's modding scene. Mods have long been an important aspect of the Dark Souls community, even being nearly essential to play the first Dark Souls game on PC. It's possible that FromSoftware could opt for an option to launch Elden Ring without the Easy Anti-Cheat software, which would be the best of both worlds.
Elden Ring launches February 25 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.