Original illustration by Meta Protago — conceptual artwork, not official FromSoftware game art.

Elden Ring 2 is one of the most-searched gaming terms of 2026 — but FromSoftware still hasn't announced it, and there's no confirmed release date. Here's exactly what's real, what's rumor, and what's actually happening with the franchise right now.

Elden Ring became one of the biggest games of the decade, so it makes sense that fans keep asking when the sequel is coming. The short answer: nobody outside FromSoftware knows for sure yet. But there's plenty of real news to unpack this year, including a brand-new edition of the original game, a new IP, and direct comments from the director himself.

Background: Why Everyone's Searching for Elden Ring 2

Elden Ring launched in February 2022 from FromSoftware and Bandai Namco, with world-building help from fantasy author George R. R. Martin. It went on to sell more than 30 million copies and picked up over 400 Game of the Year nominations, making it one of the most successful games FromSoftware has ever released. The 2024 expansion, Shadow of the Erdtree, was just as big a hit, adding a whole new region and story for players to explore.

That kind of success is exactly why "Elden Ring 2" has become such a popular search term. Fans assume a game this big must be getting a direct sequel soon, the same way other beloved soulslike series eventually get follow-ups — Mortal Shell 2 is already out now, for example. But Elden Ring's situation is a little different, and the real story is more complicated than a simple yes or no.

Elden Ring 2 Release Date: What We Actually Know

Let's get straight to the point: there is no official Elden Ring 2 release date. FromSoftware has never announced the game, shown a trailer, or confirmed it's in development. Anything claiming to have a specific release date for Elden Ring 2 is not coming from an official source.

What is confirmed for 2026 is a packed FromSoftware release calendar — just not a numbered sequel. Here's the real lineup:

• Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition — launching August 28, 2026 on Nintendo Switch 2, bundling the base game with Shadow of the Erdtree, plus new classes, weapons, and Torrent customization. A companion Tarnished Pack DLC is also rolling out to PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
• The Duskbloods — a new, Switch 2-exclusive gothic action-RPG from FromSoftware, still without a firm release date as of this writing.
• Project "FMC" — an unannounced, reportedly multiplatform title said to be in advanced development, though FromSoftware hasn't confirmed what it actually is.

The Elden Ring 2 Release Date Leak, Explained

Every so often, a post claiming to reveal an "Elden Ring 2 release date leak" goes viral. Most trace back to unverified sources, like a mid-2026 post on the anonymous forum 4chan claiming FromSoftware's other in-development projects are all brand-new IPs, with Armored Core the only returning franchise. Another rumor, nicknamed "Cerulean Onslaught," claimed FromSoftware's next open-world game involves pirates and could be revealed "soon" — a claim most gaming outlets treated with heavy skepticism because nothing about it matched an official source.

Is the Elden Ring 2 Release Date Leak Confirmed?

No. None of the circulating leaks meet the bar for a credible one: an official statement, a verified retailer listing tied to a real distribution deal, or a track record of accurate past reports. Compare that to how a real leak plays out, like the back-and-forth over GTA 6's PS5 Pro performance claims, where actual platform-holder details eventually separated fact from rumor. Nothing close to that level of verification exists for an Elden Ring 2 release date yet.

That's about as clear a denial as it gets — though Miyazaki also added that a future Elden Ring project "could still happen in some form," so the door isn't fully closed. He's repeated a similar answer more than once, including in an earlier interview where he said the studio wasn't "currently considering" the idea either.

The Duskbloods, Project FMC, and the Kadokawa Factor

FromSoftware's parent company, Kadokawa, has confirmed in financial reports that Tarnished Edition and The Duskbloods are both still on track for 2026. Kadokawa itself has also been the subject of acquisition talk involving Sony, which could eventually shape how FromSoftware plans future projects — including whether something like Elden Ring 2 ever gets greenlit. On top of that, there's an Elden Ring movie, a prequel currently in production with director Alex Garland and studio A24 — more proof the franchise is expanding, just not necessarily through a numbered game sequel yet.

Elden Ring 2 Hand Weapon & Combat Wishlist

One popular search is "Elden Ring 2 hand weapon," and it usually points to something else entirely: what fans hope combat will look like if a sequel ever happens. None of this is confirmed or leaked — it's community wishlist territory, based on patterns FromSoftware has already tested in recent releases.

• Faster hand-swapping between one-handed weapons, something players have asked for since the original game's slower weapon-switching animations.
• Deeper dual-wielding options, building on the more flexible loadout system introduced in Nightreign.
• More expressive one-handed weapon arts, similar to the new movesets added in Shadow of the Erdtree.
• Expanded Ashes of War customization, letting players mix and match hand-weapon skills more freely.

Again, none of this is an official feature list. It's simply what the community keeps asking for, based on interviews and design patterns across FromSoftware's most recent releases.

Community Reaction

Reaction online is split. Some fans are eager for a full Elden Ring 2 and treat every rumor as a sign it's close. Others are happy to see FromSoftware branch out, pointing to Nightreign and the upcoming Duskbloods as proof the studio doesn't need a numbered sequel to stay successful. There's also visible fatigue with unverified leaks — many players on forums and social media have grown skeptical of anonymous "insider" posts after years of false starts.

What's Next for Elden Ring 2

In the short term, the real event to watch is Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition's launch on August 28, 2026. After that, The Duskbloods is expected to arrive on Switch 2 later this year, alongside continued speculation about the mystery Project FMC. If FromSoftware does eventually greenlight Elden Ring 2, the most likely places to hear about it first are Kadokawa's quarterly earnings calls, a Miyazaki interview, or a major showcase like The Game Awards in December.

It's also worth keeping an eye on the wider 2026 gaming calendar while you wait — plenty of other long-awaited sequels are finally landing, from Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2 to the ongoing GTA 6 PS5 Pro performance updates heading into next year.

Frequently Asked Questions