Bandai Namco and FromSoftware have announced that the first expansion for Elden Ring is currently in development, and will be named "Shadow of the Erdtree," while also revealing our first glimpse of what to expect with some stunning artwork, leaving fans to wildly speculate about what it could mean for the game's first major story expansion.
The tweet, posted by FromSoft earlier today, reads, "Rise, Tarnished, and let us walk a new path together. An upcoming expansion for #ELDENRING Shadow of the Erdtree, is currently in development. We hope you look forward to new adventures in the Lands Between." While this announcement doesn't provide much information about the expansion, the accompanying artwork shows a character riding Torrent, the trusty in-game steed, through a field filled with illusions of gravestones. In the distance, the Erdtree can be seen with a substance leaking from it, that some speculate might be Deathblight.
Rise, Tarnished, and let us walk a new path together.
— ELDEN RING (@ELDENRING) February 28, 2023
An upcoming expansion for #ELDENRING Shadow of the Erdtree, is currently in development.
We hope you look forward to new adventures in the Lands Between. pic.twitter.com/cjJYijM7Mw
FromSoftware's games are notorious for their intricate and cryptic storytelling, so fans have already started speculating about what this expansion could mean for the game's lore. Based on the artwork, some fans believe that "Shadow of the Erdtree" could be a prequel to the main story of Elden Ring. They point to the character riding Torrent, who they speculate is Miquella, the brother of Malenia and one of the Empyreans. In Elden Ring's main story, Miquella is imprisoned by Mohg, Lord of Blood, and can be seen in a kind of cocoon form in the boss room. Mohg apparently wants to make Miquella a god, but Miquella is not interested. Fans speculate that the expansion could explore Malenia's origins and the doomed quest to save her before the game's events.
It's worth noting that all of the speculation is just that, speculation. FromSoftware is known for keeping its storylines close to its chest, and fans are often left to piece together clues and theories to understand the lore fully. But the expansion announcement is still exciting news for fans eagerly anticipating more content since Elden Ring's release last year.
Elden Ring was released just over a year ago, and since then, it has received critical acclaim for its gameplay, story, and world-building. The game's unique blend of Dark Souls-style combat and open-world exploration has resonated with players, and the announcement of an expansion has only added to the excitement surrounding the game.
Regardless of what the expansion entails, Elden Ring's post-launch support and critical acclaim have ensured that the game remains a must-play title for fans of the Soulsborne genre.