Summary
Nothing has been officially announced, but recent reports suggest that Tencent could be making aGenshin Impact-style mobile game based onElden Ring. Considering the creative backbone ofElden Ring, alongside the gaming community’s reverance for the IP, this concept seems questionable and could wind up following the path of the wildly controversialDiablo Immortal.
LikeElden Ring, theDiablofranchise has historically been held in high regard by gamers, even followingDiablo 3’s troublesome launch. However, the IP’s reputation took a bit of a dive withthe contentiousDiablo Immortal, which was maligned from the moment it was announced at 2018’s BlizzCon. Fans of the franchise had been waiting for a newDiablogame for years, and the reveal thatImmortalwould be a free-to-play game, restricted to mobile devices, sparked a wave of discontent. Early concerns turned out to be warranted, asImmortalwould make headlines for its particularly egregious in-game purchases and monetization structure. Assuming this Tencent-backedElden Ringmobile game is truly in the works, history may repeat itself.
An Elden Ring Mobile Game Is Destined for Controversy
Microtransactions and Mobile Gaming Are Antithetical to Elden Ring’s Design Philosophy
News of Tencent’s possibleElden Ringmobile gameis sure to come as a surprise to many FromSoftware fans, as it’s hard to think of many IP less suited to the mobile platform. Reports that the game will be taking notes fromGenshin Impact, a heavily monetized gacha game, make the whole situation even more puzzling.
Elden Ring, aside from being a well-crafted game that follows FromSoftware’s pedigree of challenging and obscure experiences, was so well-received because it bucks many of the most controversial trends of AAA gaming, including microtransactions. Introducing such monetization, on top of things like a seasonal content model and the MMO conventions associated with games likeGenshin Impact, would most probably taint whatmakesElden Ringa one-of-a-kind-game.
Tencent Wants to Compete with HoYoVerse, but Using Elden Ring Might Be a Stretch
Tencent purchased licensing rights forElden Ringin 2022, so it’s only natural that the company would be looking for a return on its investment. The mobile gaming sector is immensely profitable, Elden Ringhas a massive, dedicated fan base, andGenshin Impacthas been a runaway hit since it launched. Taking all these factors into consideration, it’s easy to understand why anElden Ringmobile game followingGenshin Impact’s lucrative business modelseems like a great idea on paper. Indeed, for a gaming giant like Tencent to make more of a splash in the world of mobile games, aGenshin Impactcompetitor could be just the ticket, but perhaps not with theElden RingIP.
The dark and complex worldbuilding ofElden Ring, delivered in FromSoftware’s typical, mysterious style, is something that would be difficult for any third-party game to replicate, let alone in a mobile gacha game. Atmosphere, storytelling, and expressive, challenging gameplay reign supreme inElden Ring, and it’s hard to imagine how these facets could be adapted to a game taking cues fromGenshin Impact, which follows a wholly different framework.
The thing is, afree open-world mobile game to rivalGenshin Impact, offering a unique take on the formula by introducing a darker atmosphere, more mature themes, and an emphasis on challenging combat, isn’t the worst idea.Genshin Impact’s core gameplay loop, beautiful art style, and steady stream of content have proven to be a hit with gaming audiences, so the game is bound to inspire similar titles, which will hopefully iterate on its foundations. However, mostElden Ringfans will likely reject this take on the IP, and the backlash Tencent could suffer from this adaptation may be more trouble than it’s worth.
Elden Ring
WHERE TO PLAY
ELDEN RING, developed by FromSoftware, Inc. and BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Inc., is a fantasy action-RPG adventure set within a world created by Hidetaka Miyazaki and George R.R. Martin. Danger and discovery lurk around every corner in FromSoftware’s largest game to date. Hidetaka Miyazaki - President and Game Director of FromSoftware Inc. Known for directing critically-acclaimed games in beloved franchises including Armored Core and Dark Souls.George R.R. Martin is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of many novels, including the acclaimed series A Song of Ice and Fire - A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords, A Feast For Crows, and A Dance with Dragons. As a writer-producer, he has worked on The Twilight Zone, Beauty and the Beast, and various feature films and pilots that were never made. He lives with the lovely Parris in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
