Everything Included In Today's Free Elden Ring Update (2024)

In preparation for the highly anticipated Shadow of the Erdtree expansion's release this week, FromSoftware has deployed an update for Elden Ring across PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC via Steam. However, this update isn't purely to add the support needed for the massive, critically acclaimed, "sequel-sized" DLC and will also add new features for those playing the base game.

As per the patch notes on the official Bandai Namco site, following some server downtime between 7 AM and 10 AM (UTC) on June 20, Elden Ring's 1.12 update introduces new hairstyles, improved inventory mechanics, adjustments to nearly every significant gameplay element, and bug fixes. A post on the Elden Ring X account following the deployment did warn Steam Deck players that there is an issue where leaving the Steam Deck inactive for more than 5 minutes may stop the game from accepting inputs, but a hotfix is currently being worked on, and will be released separately.

What New Content Is Included In Elden Ring's 1.12 Update?

The Update Brings A Substantial Amount Of New Features

Most of the new features in Elden Ring's update are quality-of-life improvements to better manage inventories or to make sure players don't have to find all of the Summoning Pools - the statues that enable other players to join a game - again on subsequent New Game Plus playthroughs. However, new customization options like hairstyles are a nice addition, building atop the impressive array of character creation possibilities available in the base game.

A breakdown of the new features (not including the various balance adjustments) is as follows:

• Added support for the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC.
• Five new hairstyles have been added to the game. These can be selected during character creation, using the Clouded Mirror Stand or using Rennala's Rebirth feature.
• Map Functions Menu has been added to the Map Menu.
• New Summoning Pool features:
  • Active Summoning Pools will now be carried over to New Game Plus.
  • Individual Summoning Pools can now be enabled or disabled in the newly added Map Functions Menu.
• New Inventory features:
  • Newly obtained items are now marked with a "!".
  • A new tab called "Recent Items" has been added to review recently obtained items.
  • Display settings can be changed from the Display tab in the system menu.
  • Players can summon a spectral steed during the Elden Beast boss battle.
  • Crafted consumable items that have been used during a Colosseum battle will be replenished at the end of a session.
  • Support for the Arabic language.
• New Keyboard/mouse settings (only on PC via Steam):
  • Added "lock-on change threshold" setting of mouse controls.
  • Added a setting to change cursor movement behavior in the map menu.
  • Added key assignments to open the map in the Key Settings menu.

For those who have purchased Shadow of the Erdtree, these upgrades are a nice bonus on top of the many additions included in the DLC. On top of its rich storyline, which introduces plenty of new lore surrounding Miquella the Unalloyed, the expansion is set to add new weapons - with eight new weapon categories - as well as equipment, skills, and magic. Players will also face dozens of new enemies, including roughly 40 potential bosses depending on their actions across a whole Shadow Realm location that further expands Elden Ring's map with several locations that FromSoft fans will appreciate as callbacks to the studio's past titles.

Source: Bandai Namco, Elden Ring/X

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Elden Ring

10/ 10

Elden Ring is a popular game released by From Software, creators of games such as Armored Core, Dark Souls, and Bloodborne. Players assume the role of a Tarnished, a being once exiled to the Lands Between and has returned to repair the Elden Ring after the events of "The Shattering." "The Shattering" occurred when the offspring of Queen Marika battled to claim the shards of the Elden Ring, known as Great Runes. Their war has brought lawlessness, destruction, and chaos to the land, and the player will challenge them with the assistance of a Maiden known as Melina as they travel towards the great Erd Tree to face their destiny and to become the one true Elden Lord. Players can tackle the game how they choose and can adventure across realms as they build their character how they want - be it a powerful magic caster or a brutal swordsman - they will have complete control over their build.

Platform(s)

PS5 , Xbox One , PS4 , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S , PC

Released

February 25, 2022

Developer(s)

From Software

Publisher(s)

Bandai Namco Entertainment , From Software

Genre(s)

RPG , Action

Multiplayer

Online Co-Op , Online Multiplayer

Engine

Proprietary

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence

How Long To Beat

58 Hours

Metascore

96

Platforms That Support Crossplay

PS4 &PS5 and Xbox One & Xbox Series X|S

PS Plus Availability

N/A