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Is Elden Ring Losing Popularity? Unpacking the Numbers and the Legacy

Yes, in a strictly numerical sense, Elden Ring has seen a decrease in its peak concurrent player count since its initial explosive launch. To declare it “losing popularity” however, requires a much more nuanced understanding of player behavior, game lifecycle, and the unique characteristics of this particular title. While player counts on platforms like Steam have indeed declined from the astronomical figures seen in the weeks following its release, this is a perfectly natural phenomenon for almost every single-player focused game. The real question is not whether the numbers are lower than they once were, but rather how healthy the game’s community remains and its long-term impact on the gaming landscape.

Understanding the Player Base Regression

Elden Ring burst onto the scene as a cultural phenomenon, attracting both seasoned Souls veterans and newcomers alike. The collaboration with George R.R. Martin fueled initial hype, and the game delivered on its promise of a vast, challenging, and rewarding open-world experience. The initial player spike was inevitably unsustainable. Most players, even the most dedicated, will eventually move on to other games after completing their journey through the Lands Between.

The key factors contributing to this natural regression include:

Single-Player Focus: Unlike live-service games designed to be played indefinitely, Elden Ring is primarily a single-player experience with optional multiplayer elements. Once players have explored the world, conquered its challenges, and potentially experimented with different builds, the incentive to continuously log in diminishes.
Finite Content: Even with its sprawling map and numerous secrets, Elden Ring’s content, at least until the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion releases, is finite. Players eventually exhaust the available quests, bosses, and areas to explore.
Difficulty and Time Commitment: Elden Ring is notoriously challenging. While this is a core aspect of its appeal, it also means that some players may become discouraged or simply lack the time to fully commit to the game.
The Natural Game Lifecycle: All games, regardless of their quality, experience a decline in player numbers over time. New releases and shifting interests naturally draw players away.

Elden Ring’s Enduring Legacy

Despite the drop in concurrent players, Elden Ring’s success is undeniable and its impact will be felt for years to come. Here’s why “losing popularity” is an oversimplification:

Critical Acclaim and Awards: Elden Ring has garnered near-universal critical acclaim, winning numerous Game of the Year awards. This recognition solidifies its place in gaming history and continues to attract new players who are curious about the hype.
Sales Success: With over 20.5 million units sold as of March 2023, Elden Ring is one of the best-selling games of all time in its genre. These sales figures demonstrate its broad appeal and enduring popularity.
Active Community: The Elden Ring community remains highly active, with players sharing tips, strategies, and lore discussions on forums, social media, and video platforms.
The Anticipated Expansion: The announcement of the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion has reignited excitement among existing players and is likely to attract new players when it eventually launches.
Influence on Future Games: Elden Ring’s innovative open-world design, challenging combat, and intricate lore have set a new standard for action RPGs and will undoubtedly influence future game development.

The Significance of Player Completion Rates

The article mentions that 7.9% of Elden Ring players on PlayStation have earned the Platinum trophy, indicating 100% completion. While this may seem like a small percentage, it’s remarkably high for a AAA game of this scale and difficulty. This demonstrates the dedication and engagement of a significant portion of the player base. Moreover, the statistic that roughly 31.7% of PS5 players have defeated Malenia, one of the game’s most challenging bosses, further illustrates that many players are committed to overcoming the game’s hurdles and experiencing its full content.

Comparing Elden Ring to Other FromSoftware Titles

Elden Ring’s success dwarfs that of previous FromSoftware games, including the Dark Souls series. Its sales figures are significantly higher, indicating a broader appeal that transcends the niche audience typically associated with Souls-like games. This suggests that Elden Ring has successfully broadened the genre’s reach and introduced a new generation of players to the challenging yet rewarding gameplay that FromSoftware is known for.

The Future of Elden Ring

The upcoming Shadow of the Erdtree expansion presents an opportunity for Elden Ring to experience a resurgence in player numbers. New content, challenges, and lore are likely to attract both returning players and newcomers who have been waiting for the game to be “complete.” The expansion’s success will be a key indicator of Elden Ring’s long-term popularity and legacy.

In conclusion, while Elden Ring may have seen a decrease in peak concurrent players since its launch, this is a natural part of the game lifecycle. The game’s critical acclaim, sales success, active community, and upcoming expansion all point to its enduring popularity and significant impact on the gaming landscape. Elden Ring is not “losing popularity” in a meaningful sense; it is simply transitioning into a new phase of its lifecycle as a modern classic.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why did Elden Ring lose so many players on Steam?

The primary reason for the drop in player numbers is the nature of the game. Elden Ring is a single-player-focused title with a finite amount of content. After completing the main story, exploring the world, and experimenting with different builds, many players naturally move on to other games. The fact that Elden Ring isn’t designed as a live-service title is also a factor, as there is no built-in mechanism to keep players logging in daily.

2. Is Elden Ring still selling well?

Yes, Elden Ring continues to sell well. As of March 2023, it had sold over 20.5 million units worldwide. This demonstrates its broad appeal and enduring popularity. The anticipated release of the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion will likely boost sales figures even further.

3. How many people have 100% completed Elden Ring?

Approximately 7.9% of Elden Ring players on PlayStation have earned the Platinum trophy, indicating 100% completion. While this may seem like a small percentage, it is actually quite high for a AAA game of this scale and difficulty, especially compared to other Souls-like games.

4. Is Elden Ring too hard for a casual gamer?

Elden Ring is undeniably challenging, but it is also considered more accessible than previous Souls games, which makes it okay for new players to try. Its open-world structure allows players to explore different areas and level up before tackling difficult bosses. Summons and other mechanics can also help ease the difficulty for less experienced players.

5. How long does it take to 100% Elden Ring?

On average, it takes around 133 hours to achieve 100% completion in Elden Ring. This includes completing all quests, defeating all bosses, finding all items, and earning all achievements/trophies.

6. Did Elden Ring outsell Dark Souls?

Yes, Elden Ring’s sales significantly surpass those of the Dark Souls series. As of March 2023, Elden Ring had sold over 20 million units, which is more than double the sales of Dark Souls 3.

7. What is the easiest build in Elden Ring?

One of the easiest and most popular builds in Elden Ring involves dual-wielding bleed weapons. The Cross-Naginata spear is a particularly effective weapon for this build, as it inflicts significant bleed damage.

8. How many players have defeated Malenia in Elden Ring?

Approximately 31.7% of human Elden Ring players on PS5 have defeated Malenia, one of the game’s most challenging bosses. This demonstrates the dedication and skill of a significant portion of the player base.

9. What games are bigger than Elden Ring in terms of map size?

Several games have larger open worlds than Elden Ring, including True Crime: Streets of LA, Xenoblade Chronicles X, Arma 3, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, DayZ, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, and Grand Theft Auto 5. However, the size of the map isn’t everything; Elden Ring is considered to be the best open-world gaming experience.

10. What is the meta level for PvP in Elden Ring?

The generally accepted “meta level” for PvP duels in Elden Ring is 125. However, there is ongoing debate within the community, with some players arguing that a higher level, such as 150, is preferable.

11. What percentage of gamers have beaten Elden Ring?

Achievement rates suggest that close to 50% of Elden Ring players have completed the game at least once, especially on platforms like Steam. This is comparatively high when contrasted with other AAA titles from From Software, which tend to have significantly lower completion rates.

12. Has Elden Ring been banning players?

Yes, there have been instances of Elden Ring players receiving soft bans for accessing illegal or unintended content in the game. One example is the “Deathbed Smalls,” an item that was not meant to be accessible to players.

13. What is the most successful FromSoftware game?

Elden Ring is the most successful FromSoftware game to date. It has sold more copies than any other Souls game before it and has won more awards than any other game in a single year.

14. Is Elden Ring the highest-rated game of all time?

Elden Ring is one of the highest-rated games of all time, with a “Top Critic Average” of 97 on OpenCritic. This is comparable to Super Mario Odyssey, although Nintendo’s game currently holds a slightly lower true average score.

15. What impact did George R.R. Martin have on Elden Ring?

George R.R. Martin contributed to Elden Ring by providing the lore and world-building for the game’s setting, the Lands Between. His involvement helped generate initial interest in the game and contributed to its rich and detailed narrative.

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Is Elden Ring losing popularity?