Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree Expansion Gets June Release Date, First Gameplay Reveal

FromSoftware has finally lifted the veil on its highly anticipated Elden Ring expansion, Shadow of the Erdtree. After months of speculation and cryptic teasers, the studio has officially confirmed a release date of June 21, 2024, alongside the premiere of the DLC’s first gameplay trailer—and it looks like fans are in for another challenging, beautiful, and lore-rich adventure.

The trailer, released this morning via Bandai Namco’s official channels, offers a tantalizing glimpse at the new lands beyond the Lands Between, pointing toward a realm touched by shadow and steeped in mysterious decadence. The expansion follows Miquella, a central yet enigmatic figure teased throughout the base game. Lore enthusiasts will finally be able to explore his story and its implications for the overarching narrative.

Visually, Shadow of the Erdtree looks stunning, boasting darkened landscapes twisted by corruption, eerie new architecture, and colossal enemies that rival even the toughest bosses of the original game. The combat also appears to be receiving some enhancements, with glimpses of new weapons, magic types, and traversal mechanics—including what looks to be mounted combat in tighter dungeon areas.

Shadow of the Erdtree will not be a standalone DLC. Players will need the base game to access the new content, and FromSoftware promises “dozens of hours of new gameplay,” including fresh gear, areas, and secrets to uncover. Pre-orders for the expansion are now live, including a special Collector’s Edition that includes a hardcover artbook and a figurine.

This marks the studio’s first major expansion to Elden Ring since its launch in February 2022, which went on to win Game of the Year and break sales records across consoles. Director Hidetaka Miyazaki has hinted that this DLC will further deepen the mythos crafted in collaboration with George R.R. Martin.

With Shadow of the Erdtree, FromSoftware seems poised to deliver another iconic journey that blends brutal difficulty with atmospheric storytelling. Get ready, Tarnished—your next test awaits this summer.