In a surprise move, FromSoftware, the renowned studio behind the critically acclaimed Elden Ring, has announced a new game in the series, Elden Ring Nightreign, despite previously stating that they were "not really considering developments such as an Elden Ring 2."

The reveal came during this year's The Game Awards, where a trailer for Nightreign debuted, showcasing gameplay that appears to be similar to the original Elden Ring but with a greater emphasis on co-op play. The trailer featured combat sequences with multiple Tarnished working together, performing acrobatic martial arts moves.

While the narrative details of Nightreign remain scarce, the trailer suggests that the game could be a prequel, chronicling the events that lead up to the base game and the Shadows of the Erdtree DLC. However, FromSoftware has not confirmed the game's place in the Lands Between chronology.

One theory that emerged during the trailer's debut was that Nightreign could be a mobile version of Elden Ring. However, FromSoftware has only confirmed that the game will launch on Xbox, PlayStation, and PC platforms, with a release date set for sometime next year.

The announcement has sparked excitement among fans of the series, who are eager to dive back into the world of Elden Ring. The addition of co-op gameplay is a significant departure from the original game's solo-focused experience, and it will be interesting to see how FromSoftware implements this feature.

The reveal of Nightreign raises questions about FromSoftware's previous statements regarding a potential Elden Ring sequel. While the studio's director, Hidetaka Miyazaki, may not have explicitly lied about not considering an Elden Ring 2, the announcement of Nightreign certainly seems to contradict those claims.

As more information about Elden Ring Nightreign becomes available, fans will be eagerly watching to see how the game develops and what new features and gameplay mechanics FromSoftware has in store. With a release date set for next year, Nightreign is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated games of 2025.

In the meantime, the gaming community will continue to speculate about the game's narrative and gameplay, and FromSoftware will likely remain tight-lipped about the details. One thing is certain, however: Elden Ring Nightreign is a significant development in the world of gaming, and its impact will be felt for years to come.