It has been nearly two years since the acclaimed release of Elden Ring, and the anticipation for its upcoming expansion, Shadow of the Erdtree, continues to build. Despite the sparse details available since its announcement nearly a year ago, recent developments suggest that news about the DLC could be forthcoming.

Steam’s Backend Update: A Clue to the DLC’s Arrival

A notable observation by Ziostorm on Twitter has sparked further excitement within the gaming community. The DLC category on SteamDB, Steam’s backend database, has been updated with a new package, marked as “Unknown App 2778580.” This update, the first of its kind in two years, points to the possibility of new downloadable content for Elden Ring. Unlike the free updates such as the colosseum, this new package seems to align with paid DLC, leading many to speculate that it could be related to Shadow of the Erdtree.

Collaboration and Promotional Material Leaks

Adding fuel to the fire, a recent collaboration with Thrustmaster and leaked promotional material, as reported by Eurogamer, suggest that a set of controllers set to release in February could coincide with the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion. Additionally, Pure Arts is launching its first Elden Ring collectible next month, which could further hint at the DLC’s imminent release.

Speculation and Leaks: Piecing Together the Puzzle

The lack of concrete information has not stopped fans from dissecting the teaser image and other bits of information to piece together potential lore and details about the DLC. Prominent leaker Lance McDonald mentioned that Elden Ring initially planned two separate expansions, now seemingly merged into Shadow of the Erdtree. This situation mirrors the development of Bloodborne’s The Old Hunters DLC, which also started as two separate expansions.

Potential Scale and Impact of the DLC

Considering McDonald’s information, Shadow of the Erdtree might be quite substantial in scale, potentially offering a significant expansion to the Elden Ring universe. This approach by FromSoftware could provide players with a rich and expanded experience, similar to what was seen with Bloodborne’s DLC.

Release Date Speculations

While FromSoftware stated in December that the expansion was “still a little ways off,” the recent leak and Steam backend update suggest that its release could be sooner than expected, possibly as early as next month. This speculation contrasts with the initial assumption that the DLC might launch later in 2024.

Final Thoughts

The growing excitement and speculation surrounding the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC for Elden Ring showcases the gaming community’s eagerness for more content from FromSoftware’s masterpiece. The recent developments on Steam and the leaks point to a possible imminent release, keeping players on the edge of their seats. As the anticipation builds, the Elden Ring community eagerly awaits official confirmation and further details about this highly anticipated expansion.

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