The Great Mimicry: Examining the Echoes of Elden Ring in Other Games

Determining definitively which game “copied” Elden Ring is a complex issue. While no game is a perfect 1:1 replica, and accusations of outright plagiarism are often difficult to prove, several titles have demonstrably drawn inspiration from Elden Ring’s success. A key case in point is Bleak Faith: Forsaken, which faced allegations of using stolen animations from Elden Ring. While the developers claimed to have legally purchased those assets, the controversy highlights the blurry line between inspiration, influence, and outright copying in game development. Other games, while not copying assets directly, might emulate Elden Ring’s open-world structure, challenging combat, or dark fantasy aesthetic. Ultimately, influence is rampant within the industry, it is important to appreciate the innovations of the original work and carefully consider if the influence is crossing the line.

Analyzing Inspiration vs. Imitation

The video game industry thrives on innovation, but also iteration. Developers learn from each other’s successes and failures, and it’s natural for popular games to influence subsequent titles. However, there’s a clear distinction between being inspired by a game’s elements and outright copying them.

• Inspiration: This involves taking general concepts or themes from a game and applying them in a unique way. For example, a game might be inspired by Elden Ring’s open-world exploration but implement a completely different combat system or narrative structure. Developers may use the successful elements of a game like Elden Ring as a springboard to create a new and innovative game.

• Imitation: This is a much more direct form of copying, often involving the replication of specific mechanics, assets, or design choices. This can range from mimicking a game’s combat system to directly using copyrighted assets. It is important to note that Bleak Faith: Forsaken does not necessarily fall into this category, as the animations were purchased by the development team.

• Plagiarism: This involves claiming someone else’s work as your own. In the context of video games, this would involve directly copying code, art assets, or other copyrighted material and presenting them as original creations.

The Case of Bleak Faith: Forsaken

Bleak Faith: Forsaken drew significant controversy due to allegations of using animations stolen from Elden Ring. This case highlights the complexities of intellectual property in game development. While Archangel Studios, the developer, claimed to have legally purchased the animations from a third party, the similarity to Elden Ring’s animations raised serious questions. The studio eventually removed the contested assets.

This incident serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of originality and the risks associated with using pre-made assets, especially when those assets closely resemble those from a popular game.

Other Games Exhibiting Elden Ring Influence

Beyond Bleak Faith: Forsaken, several other games have shown clear signs of influence from Elden Ring, although not necessarily in a way that constitutes direct copying:

• Open-World Structure: Many games released after Elden Ring have incorporated open-world exploration with a greater emphasis on player freedom and discovery. This is partly due to the popularity of Elden Ring’s massive and interconnected world.

• Challenging Combat: Elden Ring’s demanding combat system has influenced other games to adopt similar mechanics, such as precise dodging, parrying, and strategic resource management.

• Dark Fantasy Aesthetic: The game’s dark and foreboding atmosphere has been emulated in other titles, with a focus on grotesque creatures, decaying environments, and morally ambiguous characters.

• Indirect Storytelling: Games are taking inspiration from the indirect approach to storytelling prevalent in Elden Ring. Important story beats and details are often hidden in item descriptions, environmental details, and character interactions.

Is Influence Necessarily a Bad Thing?

It’s important to remember that influence is a natural part of the creative process. Many successful games have been inspired by previous titles, and this cross-pollination of ideas can lead to innovation and progress. However, there’s a difference between being inspired and simply copying. The key is to take inspiration from a game’s elements and apply them in a unique and original way. The Games Learning Society is a great source of information on game development, learning, and research practices. Check them out at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions about the influence of Elden Ring on other games:

1. What game is Elden Ring most comparable to?

The Dark Souls series is perhaps the closest experience to Elden Ring in terms of gameplay and combat. However, Elden Ring is significantly more open-world than the Dark Souls games.

2. Did Tears of the Kingdom copy Elden Ring?

The Zelda developers stated they were too busy with Tears of the Kingdom to play Elden Ring, so it is unlikely that Tears of the Kingdom copied Elden Ring.

3. What games came before Elden Ring?

FromSoftware’s previous titles include Demon’s Souls, Dark Souls, Dark Souls 2, Bloodborne, Dark Souls 3, and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice.

4. Did Elden Ring copy Dark Souls?

Elden Ring takes inspiration from the Dark Souls series, but it takes place in a different universe and features many new features.

5. What inspired Elden Ring?

Elden Ring was inspired by Shadow of the Colossus, The Elder Scrolls, The Witcher 3, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, the tabletop role-playing game RuneQuest, and the novels The Lord of the Rings and The Eternal Champion.

6. Why is Elden Ring so dark?

Elden Ring features a dark fantasy aesthetic with dangerous creatures and environments, reflecting a world in decay.

7. Is Elden Ring easier than other Dark Souls games?

Elden Ring is often considered easier than other Dark Souls games due to its open-world nature and the ability to summon spirit ashes for assistance. However, some late-game bosses are notably challenging.

8. How much did it cost to make Elden Ring?

Elden Ring’s budget is estimated to be around $200 million.

9. Which Soulsborne game is the hardest?

Many players consider Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice to be the most difficult Soulsborne game, followed by Dark Souls 2. Elden Ring is often ranked as one of the easier titles in the series.

10. Who broke Elden Ring’s world?

The shattering of the Elden Ring was caused by the Demigod offspring of Queen Marika, who warred over the Great Runes.

11. Did Elden Ring copy Breath of the Wild?

Elden Ring director Hidetaka Miyazaki cited The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, along with The Elder Scrolls series and The Witcher 3, as influences on Elden Ring’s open-world design.

12. Why is Elden Ring so famous?

Elden Ring is famous for its challenging gameplay, vast open world, deep lore, and rewarding sense of exploration. It perfectly captures the gameplay that made FromSoftware an industry leader.

13. Why does everyone like Elden Ring?

Elden Ring combines the demanding mechanics and dark aesthetic of previous FromSoftware games with the freedom of an open-world setting. This creates a unique and compelling experience for players.

14. Which game is harder, Dark Souls or Elden Ring?

Elden Ring bosses are generally considered harder than most of the offerings in Dark Souls, particularly in the late game. The difficulty in many of the Dark Souls games is due to the constraints put on the player’s movement, making Elden Ring comparatively easier.

15. What is the religion in Elden Ring?

The Golden Order Fundamentalism is a prominent religion in Elden Ring, founded by Elden Lord Radagon.

Conclusion

While the question of whether a game “copied” Elden Ring is complex, the influence of Elden Ring on subsequent titles is undeniable. From its open-world structure and challenging combat to its dark fantasy aesthetic, Elden Ring has left a lasting impact on the video game industry. The case of Bleak Faith: Forsaken serves as a reminder of the importance of originality and the potential pitfalls of using pre-made assets that closely resemble those from other games. As the video game industry continues to evolve, it is likely that we will see more games that are inspired by Elden Ring. However, it is important for developers to find their own unique voices and create games that are both innovative and original. Examining the influence of games on others is an important skill for game designers, for more information visit the GamesLearningSociety.org website.