Elden Ring launch: When you can play, preloads, and more
Developer FromSoftware has released several critically acclaimed action RPGs over the last 15 years, and everything from the original Dark Souls to the studio’s most recent title, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, have taken the gaming community by storm with their incredible worldbuilding, sublime presentation, and addictive gameplay that’s challenging, yet extremely satisfying and fulfilling.
The developer’s latest game, Elden Ring, applies FromSoftware’s formula to an open-world setting that promises to spice up the gameplay experience while also giving players the opportunity to explore a beautiful, expertly crafted world. As we get closer to Elden Ring’s launch, details about its rollout and how you can play have begun to come to light. Here’s everything we know about Elden Ring’s launch time, including when the game goes live, when you can preload the game, what the expected download size will be, and more.
What is Elden Ring?
Source: Bandai Namco
Like the Dark Souls games before it, Elden Ring strongly emphasizes using stamina to block, parry, or dodge incoming attacks, as well as using light and heavy melee attacks, backstabs, or magic spells to deal damage to enemies and bosses. Elden Ring also includes new mechanics, though, including a day/night cycle, dynamic weather systems, stealth systems, item crafting, and more. Players will even be able to explore the open world on a mount, and can ride their mount into combat in many locations.
Elden Ring will also feature multiplayer gameplay experiences, including the opportunity to summon other players for cooperative play and the ability to invade the worlds of other players for PvP as well. Special “Covenants” that allow players to choose a unique role in multiplayer gameplay exist as well; for example, we anticipate that players will be able to join a “Blue Sentinels” group that will automatically summon them into a player’s world to defend them against invading players.
When creating a character, players will be able to select from a wide variety of different Elden Ring classes. Each one has their own strengths and weaknesses; for example, the Astrologer will be a powerful mage with lots of Intelligence for sorcery damage but low health, while the Vagabond is more of a close-range brawling class that has high armor, strength, and health, but few options for ranged fighting. As players journey throughout Elden Ring’s world, they’ll level up and can increase any stat they’d like, regardless of the class they chose. This freedom allows players to double down on their starting class’s advantages and create specialized characters or to level up other stats and become hybrid characters (for example, a hybrid strength/faith character will be proficient with both strength weapons and incantation spells). Players can further improve their character by upgrading their weapons and armor, causing them to do more damage or reduce incoming damage, respectively.
Elden Ring release date and launch time
Source: Bandai Namco
As for the PC version of the game, it’s currently unclear when PC players will be able to start playing Elden Ring. It’s possible that it will also unlock at midnight in your local region, but this hasn’t been confirmed. We expect that Bandai Namco and FromSoftware will share more information about the game’s launch time soon, though.
Elden Ring preload
Source: Bandai Namco
Preloading is already available for Xbox players, and the preload can be accessed by choosing the option to download Elden Ring on the Xbox storefront. The preload date for players on PlayStation and PC has not been officially announced, but several leaks and rumors have suggested that PlayStation and PC players will be able to preload the game on Feb. 23, 2022 — a full two days prior to the game’s launch.
Elden Ring download size
Source: Bandai Namco
Note that right now, it’s unclear whether this 49.04GB file size includes any day one patches that FromSoftware may be planning to deploy for Elden Ring when it releases. If the developer puts out a separate day one patch, you may have to complete a small download before you play the game on launch day, even if you preload.
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