Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree DLC Gets June Release Date, Sparks Surge in Player Activity

FromSoftware has finally locked in a release date for its highly anticipated Elden Ring DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree, setting fans’ expectations ablaze. The expansion is set to launch on June 21, 2024, across all platforms where the base game is available, including PlayStation, Xbox, and PC. This announcement ends months of speculation surrounding the game’s next major content drop, with many fans already preparing to re-enter the Lands Between.

Shadow of the Erdtree promises to be the most significant add-on in FromSoftware’s storied history, boasting new environments, bosses, weapons, and lore that expand the already rich narrative of Elden Ring. The DLC will reportedly explore a previously unseen region influenced by the Erdtree’s shadow—a concept that has ignited feverish debate among lore enthusiasts trying to decipher what it means for characters like Miquella, a confirmed central figure in the expansion.

Following the announcement, Elden Ring saw a dramatic resurgence in player counts across Steam, with concurrent users peaking at nearly triple the average of previous weeks. Social media has also been set ablaze with theory crafting, build sharing, and nostalgic tributes to the base game’s most punishing fights—all signs of a community reuniting in anticipation.

Pre-orders for Shadow of the Erdtree are now live, with a variety of editions available. These range from a standard digital download to a collector’s edition that includes a hardcover art book and a statue of Messmer, a new character teased in the reveal trailer. The DLC will not be standalone and will require the base game to access.

As the June release date approaches, fans now have a clear deadline to re-acquaint themselves with the challenging gameplay and dense lore that made Elden Ring a massive success in 2022. With Game of the Year accolades already behind it, Shadow of the Erdtree could be the rare DLC that not only reignites a passionate fanbase, but also sets a new gold standard for post-launch content in modern gaming.