Naughty Dog Won’t Be The Last Studio To Copy Elden Ring

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I wasn’t a fan of Elden Ring. To be clear, this means that you can disregard my opinions on video games from now on. I haven’t found many Souls-like games or actual Souls games to be appealing, so it’s not surprising that I didn’t enjoy Elden Ring. I’ll admit that part of the reason is the high level of difficulty and the patience required to enjoy these games, but I play other challenging or methodical games without feeling as much strain.

I’ve encountered an obstacle, and for many, Elden Ring served as the stepping stone to overcome it – not me. Surprisingly, the latest claims about The Intergalactic Heretic being influenced by Elden Ring don’t bother me; instead, they fuel my enthusiasm even more. In fact, I anticipate that Elden Ring will continue to inspire numerous other games in the future, and I view this as a highly encouraging development.

Elden Ring Moved The Needle On Player Freedom

By September 2024, the last time I heard, Elden Ring had shifted an incredible 28.6 million units – a figure that eclipses any single installment in The Last of Us series, though the franchise as a whole has managed 37 million sales. When a game approaches the 30-million mark, sweeps Game of the Year accolades, and reshapes its genre while simultaneously transcending it, it’s impossible to ignore. Even people who don’t usually play video games have found themselves drawn to Elden Ring, and that speaks volumes. Many will start using “we’re like Elden Ring” as a catchphrase to grab attention, and I can see why.

Approximately thrice weekly, I receive emails promoting games that boast being “inspired” by Hades, but upon closer examination, these titles seldom share any genuine resemblance with the original mythological figure.

Yet, it’s not merely a marketing strategy. Elden Ring possesses distinct aspects that set it apart, and I anticipate these distinctive features will become even more prominent as other games seek to push the boundaries of innovation. In essence, this is what innovation has always been about in any field – observe how others have innovated, then adapt and improve upon it.

In Elden Ring, you’re granted the liberty to traverse beyond the main storyline at your own pace, enabling you to confront challenges in any sequence, from various angles. This exploration often leads to fascinating discoveries where the game subtly intertwines itself in intriguing and unforeseen ways. The world maintains a sense of liveliness even without constant player intervention.

In the coming years, we can anticipate a shift towards games that emphasize open-ended exploration and self-discovery rather than restricting access. Games like “Breath of the Wild” epitomize this trend, serving as an inspiration for “Elden Ring,” even though it’s from FromSoftware’s own “Dark Souls” series. In fact, many instances where “Elden Ring” is mentioned in this article could be replaced with “Breath of the Wild,” and the meaning would still hold true. Both games embody a trust in players and a commitment to freedom that the gaming industry is grappling with.

Some video games, like Dragon Age: The Veilguard, keep things straightforward to avoid confusing players and maintain control over the game’s storyline. Other games, such as Red Dead Redemption (ER), Breath of the Wild (BOTW) and Baldur’s Gate 3, offer more freedom for players to explore and make decisions that might lead to unpredictable outcomes. These games trust the players and provide a more immersive experience, which can lead to stronger emotional connections, increased interest, and higher sales. The first type of game may feel safer, but the data suggests that giving players more control results in greater success.

Naughty Dog Needs The Elden Ring Evolution

It’s clear that survivorship bias plays a role here. You might continue pointing out games that encourage players to delve deeper (Disco Elysium being another notable instance), but the truth is, many games strive for genuine freedom and often face either cancellation due to time overruns or high costs, or they see their intricate aspects streamlined into more straightforward mechanics for better focus group testing. Even though some games hit the jackpot, taking risks always comes with its share of uncertainties.

Still, the evidence is clear that players appreciate the freedom offered in games like Elden Ring, and I anticipate that this feature will become more common in major titles. Granted, it may not be as intricately layered, or thematically deep, or seamlessly connected, but at least developers will have the courage to attempt something similar. The Intergalactic Heretic’s concept is especially intriguing in this regard.

The series The Last of Us and Uncharted have a very cinematic feel, even though they feature open areas (such as Seattle in The Last of Us Part II). However, they are structured linearly with distinct chapters. Similarly, The Intergalactic Heretic, influenced by Akira, uses diegetic music from the Pet Shop Boys and stars actors like Tati Gabrielle and Kumail Nanjiani, seems to be following a similar pattern but in space. Introducing the freedom found in Elden Ring could bring an exciting twist. How would this blend with Naughty Dog’s signature, highly-refined style? What impact might the vastness of outer space have on this freedom? These are the types of questions that arise when considering an Elden Ring influence, and they make The Intergalactic Heretic a much more captivating idea.

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2025-03-19 01:05