The action game Elden Ring by FromSoftware features a multiplayer mode that offers both co-op and PvP. We have summarized all the current information for you.
This is Elden Ring: The action RPG is being developed by FromSoftware, known for their popular and challenging Dark Souls games. In Elden Ring, the developers collaborated with the famous writer George R.R. Martin (“A Song of Ice and Fire”, also known as “Game of Thrones”) to deliver even deeper storytelling in the dark fantasy setting.
Chaos and destruction reign in the Lands Between since the powerful Elden Ring was shattered. The balance of the world was lost when the Earth Tree also lost its source of life along with the ring. The many children of Queen Marika, who rules the Lands Between, seized the shards of the Elden Ring and their power.
But the maddening corruption of the shards corrupted and distorted these demigods. In their madness, they instigated a war that went down in history as the Shattering, further destroying the Lands Between. Many years later, you take on the role of a “Tainted”, whose people were banished from the Lands Between long ago. Now you return to claim the power of the Elden Ring for yourself.
Co-op in Elden Ring: Fight with friends or strangers
This is how co-op works: The attentive fans of the SoulsBorne games among you will quickly notice that there are many similarities between the Dark Souls games and Elden Ring. This is largely true for the co-op system as well.
When you are out in the world of the Lands Between, you can call your friends or random players to help you in combat. Initially, a group of up to 4 players was supposed to be possible, but that changed. Our colleague, Elena Schulz from GameStar, learned in her new interview with the developers that you can now invite a maximum of 2 additional players to your session.
There should be few restrictions on where co-op multiplayer is not possible. Essentially, you can summon other players in most places within Elden Ring, both in dungeons and in the open world. According to Elena, fights against world bosses outside of dungeons and fog walls with other players are also possible.
In a video shown to Elena, two players went to a location in the open world where a boss was standing and attacked it together. After that, the players went down into a dungeon where they avoided traps and solved puzzles together. Of course, the summoned co-op partner could also use all of their usual abilities in combat.
In exchange for help from the co-op players, you cannot call your horse in the open world. This means you will be slower in exploration at least on the surface.
This time, the co-op mode also comes without consuming valuable resources such as humanity, which you know from other SoulsBorne games. While the first gameplay trailer shows that a certain item is still needed, the barrier for summoning fellow players is said to be significantly lowered.
Since the world of Elden Ring is also extremely large, there will be special locations where you can leave your signs or check if someone is currently available for co-op.
PvP in Elden Ring: Invasions and Duels
This is how PvP works: In an interview, the director of Elden Ring, Hidetaka Miyazaki, confirmed that multiplayer will also include PvP. Again, it will function relatively classically, as fans already know from previous FromSoftware games:
- There will be invasions again, where players can intrude into your world
- You can enter other players’ sessions and hunt them there
- You can challenge other players to duels.
In an interview with the Russian site igromania.ru, Miyazaki also explained that players cannot hide forever in the vast open world of Elden Ring during PvP. Certain interface elements will provide both players with sufficient information about their opponent. During development, a lot of importance was placed on minimizing frustration in PvP.
The feature of factions from previous games will also return. However, they serve more to enhance role-playing in Elden Ring and give PvP additional “flavor”. They are not necessarily required to participate in PvP.
In PvP, the rule applies that the horse cannot be used when another player has invaded your game or when you are in another player’s world. Bad news for those looking forward to epic knight duels on horseback.
Groups: The new multiplayer feature of Elden Ring
What are groups? This new feature seems to be a kind of “guilds” within Elden Ring. They are intended to enable players to find each other more easily and share information. To create a group, you simply need to set up a “keyword” that resembles the password system from the SoulsBorne games.
The typical asynchronous elements of FromSoftware games such as bloodstains or messages will be closely tied to the group system. Messages from players in your group will be specially marked so you can find them easier. Their summoning signs will also be more visible and prioritized by the game’s system. This means you will see them more often than other asynchronous elements.
There is no upper limit for the number of members in a group. This means that players can essentially form massive “clans”. Through the messages, they can not only exchange reliable information about hidden items, secrets, or good farming spots, but also better coordinate during PvP.
For PvP enthusiasts, this presents the opportunity for genuine “fight clubs”, where members can happily beat each other up or even host real tournaments.
When will Elden Ring be released? The release date for Elden Ring has been officially set for January 21, 2022. It will be released for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
According to our colleague Elena Schulz from GameStar, this date was confirmed again during her interview with the developers. FromSoftware is currently working on polishing the last impurities and putting the final touches on the game. So you can look forward to another round of pain and death in Winter 2022.
What do you think of Elden Ring so far? Do you like the gameplay material or does it leave you cold? Will you use the multiplayer features of the game, or do you prefer to play alone? Let us know in the comments.
