FromSoftware, the developer known for games such as Bloodborne and Dark Souls, now has full ownership of Elden Ring, the critically acclaimed action RPG it released nearly two years ago.
According to a U.S. Patent and Trademark Office trademark assignment document, Bandai Namco, which published Elden Ring, switched the ownership of the trademark for the game over to FromSoftware. The document notes that Bandai Namco signed the document in March 2023.
“NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, [Bandai Namco] hereby assigns to [FromSoftware] all right, title, and interest in and to the Trademark,” the document reads. “[T]ogether with the goodwill of the business symbolized by the Trademark and the identified registration therefor, and with all claims arising out of or relating to the use of ownership of the Trademark.
Elden Ring was released in February 2022 and became a massive hit for FromSoftware, becoming a critical and commercial success, selling over 20 million copies in its first year. Following its release, FromSoftware announced nearly a year ago that it was working on Elden Ring’s first DLC expansion, Shadow of the Erdtree, which has yet to receive a release date.
This news comes after a report published earlier this month claims that an Elden Ring mobile game developed by Tencent is currently in development.
In our 10 out of 10 review of Elden Ring, my colleague Mitchell Salztman wrote: “Elden Ring is a massive iteration on what FromSoftware began with the Souls series, bringing its relentlessly challenging combat to an incredible open world that gives us the freedom to choose our own path.”
Taylor is a Reporter at IGN. You can follow her on Twitter @TayNixster.