FromSoftware, the renowned developer behind titles like Dark Souls and Bloodborne, has officially claimed full ownership of its magnum opus, Elden Ring. This move, finalized back in March 2023 but only recently reflected in official records, marks a significant change in the game’s journey, shifting control from its co-publisher Bandai Namco to FromSoftware itself. It may also possibly explain why it’s taking the studio so long to release the first expansion for Elden Ring.
The implications are multifaceted. For FromSoftware, it signifies the studio’s decision to take a significant a step towards creative independence and potentially self-publishing endeavors. The studio’s parent company, Kadokawa Corporation, previously secured huge investments from Sony and Tencent, fueling speculation about such aspirations. Securing the full rights to Elden Ring outright aligns with this potential future, granting them complete control over a globally successful IP.
This change doesn’t disrupt existing arrangements immediately. Bandai remains involved in the game’s publishing duties, including promoting the upcoming Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, which remains in development two years following the game’s release. However, it sets the stage for potential shifts in future collaborations and FromSoftware’s approach to distribution and marketing.
For what it’s worth, we could be making much ado about nothing. FromSoftware has said several times in the past that it prefers to explore new IPs over sequels – except for Armored Core but that’s for sentimental reasons – so this doesn’t guarantee that the award-winning studio is intent on working on a sequel. But at the same time, this means that FromSoftware now has unprecedented creative freedom over the Elden Ring universe.
Without external limitations and the funding already secured from its previous investments (surely, the 20 million or so copies that Elden Ring sold also helped), FromSoftware may be more open to exploring different facets of the Elden Ring universe.
Unfortunately, for Bandai Namco, losing Elden Ring is a considerable blow to its portfolio. It held tremendous revenue potential going forward, which is crucial for a company struggling to land a big hit in recent years.
Ultimately, FromSoftware’s ownership of Elden Ring reflects a growing trend within the video game industry. A growing number of developers are seeking control over their intellectual properties, recognizing the financial and creative advantages of self-publishing. It signifies the studio’s growing ambitions, the evolving landscape of game ownership, and a future where developers like FromSoftware hold the reins tighter, shaping their creations and reaching their players more directly.
Speaking of Elden Ring, Tencent is putting its ownership stake in FromSoftware to good use, with a mobile spin-off reportedly in the works.
