FromSoftware is now the sole owner of the Elden Ring IP, the first entry of which was published by Bandai Namco Entertainment outside of Japan.
According to trademarks filed in both the US and UK, FromSoftware fully owns the Elden Ring IP as of April, 2023, suggesting that publisher Bandai Namco Entertainment may not be the publisher of a potential sequel. As per the original trademark assignment document in March, 2023, the trademark was previously owned by Bandai Namco Entertainment.
It’s likely that an agreement was worked out between FromSoftware and Bandai Namco Entertainment, which resulted in the transfer of IP ownership from the latter to the former. The Kadokawa Corporation owned development studio received investment from Sony Interactive Entertainment and Tencent back in August, 2022, which may have aided it in the acquisition of the Elden Ring IP from Bandai Namco Entertainment.
Previously, in its financial forecast for the Fiscal year ending March, 31, 2024, From Software parent Kadokawa had shared plans to extend the lifespan of the Elden Ring IP in order to maximize profits. The company noted in its report that it expected a reactionary decline in sales and profit in the Fiscal Year ending in March, 31, 2024 due to the profit involved in the shipment of Elden Ring to overseas in the Fiscal Year that ended on March 31, 2023. As such, the company is now developing DLC that will contribute to the enhancement of the Elden Ring franchise. It is, therefore, pursuing the maximization of profit by prolonging the life of its successful IP. This suggests that there may be more expansions or sequels planned after the release of the first expansion, titled Shadow of the Erdtree.
Elden Ring is a 2022 action role-playing game that was developed by FromSoftware, published by Bandai Namco Entertainment, and directed by Hidetaka Miyazaki with worldbuilding provided by fantasy writer George R. R. Martin. The game’s worldbuilding was provided by the fantasy writer George R. R. Martin. Elden Ring can be played on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. Players create a character and then embarks on a quest to repair the Elden Ring and become the new Elden Lord.
