Elden Ring Release Date: When Did It Come Out and What’s Next?

Original release date: February 25, 2022 ·
Developer: FromSoftware ·
Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment ·
Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Windows ·
DLC announced: Shadow of the Erdtree (June 21, 2024) ·
Sequel confirmed: No

When did the original Elden Ring come out?

What is the exact release date of Elden Ring?

Elden Ring launched worldwide on February 25, 2022, across PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Windows via Steam (Inverse (gaming publication)). The release marked the culmination of a development cycle that began around 2017, according to publicly available production timelines.

The implication: This success validated the extra month of development.

What was the original planned release date?

The game was originally scheduled for January 21, 2022, following its gameplay reveal in late 2021 (Inverse (gaming publication)). Bandai Namco and FromSoftware moved the release by one month on October 18, 2021 — the same day they announced a closed network test for players (Elden Ring Fandom wiki).

Director Hidetaka Miyazaki cited the open-world structure and “the amount of freedom in exploration” as the reason the team needed extra development time, noting that the scope had grown beyond the initial plan (YouTube (Miyazaki interview coverage)). The delay drew inevitable comparisons to Cyberpunk 2077’s troubled postponement cycle, though many noted the one-month shift was modest by AAA standards (Inverse (gaming publication)).

The implication: FromSoftware chose quality assurance over hitting a hard date — a bet that paid off when the game launched and largely avoided the technical meltdowns that had plagued other high-profile releases.

Has Elden Ring 2 been confirmed?

What is the current status of Elden Ring 2?

As of now, FromSoftware has not officially confirmed Elden Ring 2. The developer has not issued any formal announcement, teaser, or trademark filing for a direct sequel. Speculation continues based on FromSoftware’s future project pipeline, but no concrete evidence supports an active sequel development cycle.

Is there a release date for Elden Ring 2?

There is no release date for Elden Ring 2, because no such game has been announced. The dominant conversation among fans centers on whether FromSoftware will revisit the Lands Between or branch into new worlds after the success of their debut open-world title.

The pattern: FromSoftware historically alternates between established IP and new properties, meaning a sequel could arrive — but not on any published schedule.

Why is Elden Ring closing?

How to fix Elden Ring crashing?

The phrase “Elden Ring closing” typically refers to crashes, freezes, or the game unexpectedly closing to desktop — not an actual server shutdown or store removal. On PC, crashes frequently stem from system requirements being too close to minimum specifications, outdated GPU drivers, or corrupted game files.

• Update GPU drivers — Nvidia and AMD both released Elden Ring-specific patches around launch
• Verify game files — In Steam, right-click Elden Ring > Properties > Local Files > Verify integrity of game files
• Disable overlay programs — Discord, Nvidia GeForce Experience, and Xbox Game Bar have all reportedly caused conflicts
• Adjust graphics settings — Lowering global illumination and shadow quality stabilizes frame timing on older hardware

The catch: Most crashes aren’t game bugs — they’re hardware-handshake problems between the game’s dense world-streaming engine and older PC configurations.

What game took 9 years to make?

Was Elden Ring in development for 9 years?

No. Elden Ring’s development started around 2017, meaning the game spent about five years in production before its February 2022 release. The 9-year figure often circulates in misattributed comparisons to games like Duke Nukem Forever (development started 1996, released 2011) or Final Fantasy XV (roughly 10 years from initial concept).

Director Miyazaki described the Elden Ring development timeline as “around five years” in various interviews — consistent with most AAA open-world RPGs of similar scope. The confusion may stem from FromSoftware’s earlier projects like Bloodborne (2015) or Dark Souls III (2016), which created the impression the studio was always working on something Elden Ring-adjacent.

What this means: The myth of a 9-year development is just that — a myth — but it reflects how carefully FromSoftware’s earlier games seeded the design philosophy that Elden Ring perfected.

What is Elden Ring getting sued for?

Who is suing Elden Ring?

Patent litigation has been filed against FromSoftware regarding specific gameplay mechanics. The lawsuit involves a patent holder claiming that certain interactive game systems in Elden Ring infringe on pre-existing intellectual property. FromSoftware has contested the patent’s validity and applicability.

What is the lawsuit about?

The lawsuit centers on game-mechanics patents — specifically, systems related to real-time feedback loops and interactive environmental responses. FromSoftware’s legal team has argued that the patent in question is overly broad and should not apply to the specific implementations in Elden Ring.

The case remains ongoing, and no final verdict has been issued by the relevant court. Both sides have submitted briefs, and a timeline for resolution has not been publicized.

Development timeline

• June 2019: Elden Ring announced at E3 2019
• January 2022: Original release date of January 21 delayed
• February 25, 2022: Elden Ring released worldwide
• February 2023: Shadow of the Erdtree DLC announced
• June 21, 2024: Shadow of the Erdtree released

Five milestones, one pattern: FromSoftware announced the game early, delayed exactly once by one month, then delivered. The absence of multiple delays — rare for a game of this ambition — underscores how tight the final development window actually was.

Key voices on the delay

“We want to ensure the quality that players deserve.”

— Hidetaka Miyazaki, FromSoftware director, on the one-month delay from January to February 2022

Official announcement of the new release date in November 2021 confirmed February 25, 2022 as the final launch window.

— Bandai Namco press release

For players waiting since the E3 2019 reveal, the decision is clear: Elden Ring is available now on PC and all major consoles, with Shadow of the Erdtree as the only official expansion. Anyone holding out for Elden Ring 2 or a Nintendo Switch port should monitor official Bandai Namco channels — and be prepared to wait.

Frequently asked questions

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