George R.R. Martin wrote the game's backstory and much of its world-building.
The narrator of the story trailer is Aimee-Ffion Edwards, who has previously lent her voice to productions such as Assassin's Creed Valhalla and Everyone's Gone to the Rapture.
Elden Ring received widespread acclaim, won numerous Game of the Year awards and is frequently named among the best video games of all time. Its open-world design, gameplay mechanics and atmosphere in particular drew praise. With sales exceeding 30 million, it became one of the best-selling titles in gaming history.
FromSoftware designed Elden Ring as an open-world successor to Dark Souls (2011). Director Hidetaka Miyazaki invited writer George R.R. Martin to create the game's backstory; while granting Martin broad creative freedom within the story's universe, he shaped the in-game narrative himself. Despite Martin's contribution, the story is still conveyed through item descriptions, dialogue and environmental details. During development, great importance was placed on the scale of the world, character progression and narrative depth, which required the construction of numerous massive structures across the map.
Elden Ring was released in 2022 for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S. A Nintendo Switch 2 version was announced for 2025.
The game is played from a third-person perspective and gives players the freedom to explore a vast open world divided into six main regions. Travel between regions is made easier by a spectral steed named Torrent, while hidden dungeons offer the chance to find equipment and resources. The combat system offers a wide range of options, from traditional weapons and sorcery to stealth-based tactics. Checkpoints scattered across the map serve both as fast-travel points and as places where collected runes are spent on character progression. Online features allow players to summon allies for difficult boss battles or challenge other players in competitive duels.
The Shadow of the Erdtree downloadable content, released in June 2024, continues the player character's adventure in the Land of Shadow and received critical acclaim comparable to the base game, selling over ten million copies. Elden Ring: Nightreign, a multiplayer-focused spin-off, was released in 2025.