Is A Song of Ice and Fire author George R.R. Martin consulting on “a video game out of Japan?” Rumors have been flying for a while, and now the answer is a clear YES.
As we speak, the giants of the video game industry are revealing their future plans at this year’s Electronic Entertainment Exposition (E3) in Los Angeles. At Microsoft’s presentation, we got a trailer for Elden Ring, a new fantasy RPG from FromSoftware, the people behind fantasy action-RPGs like Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. And right at the start, Martin’s name is used as a selling point.
“I doubt you could even imagine it,” the narrator says. “That which commanded the stars, giving life its fullest brilliance, the Elden Ring…oh Elden Ring…shattered by someone or something. Don’t tell me you don’t see it. Look up at the sky. It burns.” Sounds dire. It also sounds very much in keeping with From’s history of games about spoiled worlds and hopeless heroes. With knights and magic and more than a few echoes of The Lord of the Rings, it all sounds right up Martin’s alley.
We’re assuming that Martin helped with building the world and maybe writing the story, and not, like, with programming or anything. Martin talked a little about his involvement in a statement:
"Building the world of Elden Ring with Miyazaki-san and his team was a treat! The graphics, mythos, and action-RPG gameplay will deliver an unforgettable experience. I can’t wait for people to see what Elden Ring has in store for them."
Hidetaka Miyazaki, FromSoftware’s longtime game director and president, also weighed in. “Collaborating with George R.R. Martin to create the Elden Ring mythos has been a genuinely delightful experience and a source of wonderful inspiration. The team is working hard to ensure that the world of Elden Ring will be a fascinating place for players to explore, filled with peril and wonder from its furthest reaches to its lowest depths. This is a FromSoftware title through and through, rich in fantasy and RPG action. We sincerely hope you look forward to it.”
The Seven know that Martin has a way with worldbuilding. Westeros and Essos are chock-full of interesting corners to explore and centuries of history to untangle. FromSoftware’s games are also known for their dense lore, so this is a good match.
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No official release date for Elden Ring was given, nor was any platform information revealed. The game was announced at Microsoft’s conference, but that doesn’t mean it’s going to be an XBox-exclusive or anything. The publisher is Bandai Namo. They also published the Dark Souls games, which showed up on multiple platforms.
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