A trailer showing the first Elden Ring gameplay has leaked online. The trailer, which hasn't been shared publicly yet, instead it is being passed around in small groups, could indicate an upcoming reveal on Bandai Namco's part, as could a recently-filed trademark.
What does the Elden Ring gameplay trailer show?
According to VGC's Andy Robinson, the gaming platform has seen the footage but isn't able to reveal it. In the trailer, a voiceover intones "I can only imagine what drives you to seek the Elden Ring", before resignedly stating that the player "can't be talked into turning back". Gameplay footage then commences, showing Souls-style melee combat, horseback battling, and boss fights against a dragon and a sword-wielding enemy. So far, so From Software. Color us excited. Here's the last look any of us got at Elden Ring, courtesy of the E3 2019 announcement trailer.
VGC says it understands Elden Ring has been delayed several times owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, which would make sense. From Software's RPG certainly wouldn't be the first project to be hit by development troubles due to the pandemic. However, VGC's story is backed up by industry mainstay Jason Schreier, so it seems this one is legit. There's even more evidence Bandai Namco could be angling to reveal Elden Ring gameplay soon, though.
When could we see Elden Ring gameplay?
According to industry analyst Nibel (tweeting as @Nibellion), Bandai Namco recently filed a trademark for something called "BANDAI NAMCO NEXT". Nibel says this could be a name for an online presentation format similar to Sony's State of Play or Nintendo's Direct presentations. If that's the case, then the inaugural Bandai Namco Next event could be the perfect place to reveal Elden Ring gameplay for the first time.
With Nibel, Schreier, and Robinson behind this, it seems we might finally be about to see our first glimpse of Elden Ring gameplay. We don't know about you, but we've been chomping at the bit ever since From Software's collaboration with George R.R. Martin was revealed back in 2019. Here's hoping all of this renewed buzz doesn't come to naught. As ever, we'll bring you more on this as soon as we get it.
Are you looking forward to finally seeing some Elden Ring gameplay? Let us know in the comments below!
