Elden Ring is the pinnacle of Soulslike games and FromSoftware CEO and game director Hidetaka Miyazaki has some ambitious plans for the franchise and its future. The lore is vast enough for the developers to omit certain content and save it for the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC.
Expansions and DLCs are a common practice for FromSoftware but in this case, the upcoming DLC for its most successful video game is a long time coming. Initially, the content was intended for the base game but Miyazaki believes it is best suited as an expansion.
Shadow of the Erdtree Will Amplify the Elden Ring Experience
The Soulslike director dropped his two cents regarding the topic of expansions and new content that could affect the player’s experience if it were divided into separate parts or sold across different points in time in an interview.
“Elden Ring” emphasizes the exploration and adventure of the big world. In order to provide such an experience, a vast and huge scene is inevitably needed. Therefore, instead of splitting it into several parts, it is better to simply make one big. If they were sold separately, the freedom of exploration and sense of adventure would be reduced.
Miyazaki wanted to deliver a cohesive and smooth gaming experience for returning players from the base game and avoid them waiting for a certain amount of time. The amount of content and level quality of it is comparable to the base game which will offer a smooth transition in between.
The lore was a collaborative effort between Miyazaki and his team from the studio and George R. R. Martin the legendary author of the famous novel A Song of Ice and Fire which was a major deviation from the traditional way FromSoftware would develop games. The developers’ priority was the combat and story second but this was a major contrast which gave them more material to work with.
Hidetaka Miyazaki Is Excited for Shadow of the Erdtree
Miyazaki wanted to preserve the quality of the game by ensuring a quick and smooth transition between the base game which was released two years ago and the expansion. Previous FromSoftware games feature multiple DLCs but Miyazaki opted to jam every omitted idea into one massive expansion.
Several questions from the base game will be answered and it will allow the players to discover more pieces of lore scattered across the map and experience Miyazaki’s fragmented storytelling. Miyazaki emphasized the sense of exploration on a much grander scale this time around and to benefit the players by giving them the full package that is only divided into two equal parts.
Fans of the game will be pleased to know that the developers are prioritizing the overall player experience and reducing the risk of damaging the game. FromSoftware could have milked the franchise for all it is worth by releasing multiple expansions throughout the years but the story and lore are too good to be delayed and divided.
Are you excited about the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion of Hidetaka Miyazaki’s Elden Ring? Let us know in the comments section below!
