While the distant outlook for Elden Ring is unclear, its immediate future looks bright. FromSoftware’s modern RPG classic has finally announced the date of its Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, and FromSoftware also recently purchased full ownership of the Elden Ring IP from international publisher Bandai Namco. This is an unusual move for FromSoftware, but if it could only secure one franchise, Elden Ring is the obvious choice. As the most lucrative game in FromSoftware’s library, giving its creators more control over Elden Ring media is a sensible plan.