Elden Ring seems to do plenty of interesting things, with the Summer Game Fest trailer showcasing horseback riding and the open-field concept. However, the trailer does not showcase a multiplayer element, leaving Elden Ring fans to wonder if they can play the game with friends or fight invading foes.
Whether it be Demon’s Souls or Bloodborne, past From Software games have leaned heavily on the concept of multiplayer. With PvP bosses like the Old Monk featuring dedicated arenas for players to face each other, the previous Soulsborne titles have established dedicated communities that focus on multiplayer. These games also include co-op, allowing players to team up with friends to take on tough foes on the flip side. Fortunately, gamers do not need to worry about Elden Ring leaving this feature behind.
Elden Ring Multiplayer Is Confirmed
While it is unclear if there will be a PvP offering, Elden Ring is confirmed to feature co-op play. Elden Ring’s co-op was revealed via an official description of the game, with players able to “traverse the breathtaking world” of the game alone or with other players. Further, while From Software’s history might imply that Elden Ring will only be two-player co-op, the game's multiplayer will actually support up to four players. For those that have always wanted to play with more than one person at a time in a From Software game, this is amazing news.
When the game makes its debut early next year, players will be able to enjoy Elden Ring’s exciting open-field content with up to three friends. Exploring a larger world on horseback is already promising, so being able to search for secrets and complete main story content with others should only add to the excitement. While PvP fans will need to wait for more news before they know if that feature is returning, those that like helping their friends with From Software’s brutal bosses are in luck.
How Elden Ring’s Multiplayer Could Work
While Elden Ring having a multiplayer system is exciting, how it will function is a bit unclear. In a game like Demon’s Souls or Bloodborne, the co-op was a bit tricky to utilize. Gamers had to place a tag or ring a bell in the same area where a friend was positioned, and in certain scenarios, they had to use passwords and other specific systems. With Elden Ring fans exploring a much larger world than the one seen in other FromSoftware titles, though, this system does not make sense.
With Elden Ring’s story taking gamers to a massive world where they have the freedom to explore areas however they see fit, placing a marker in a specific location seems impossible. As such, it seems like Elden Ring could finally be adding proper matchmaking, making it the first From Software game where playing with others is painless. However, while a matchmaking system would make sense for Elden Ring, it is purely speculation. With this in mind, all fans currently know is that Elden Ring will feature co-op multiplayer, with more specific details not yet revealed.
Elden Ring launches January 21, 2022, for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.