# Dark Fantasy RPGs 'Elden Ring' Was Made in Collaboration with GoT Novelist George R. R. Martin By Riley von Niessen | Published 2021-03-04 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/elden-ring References: [pcgamer](https://www.pcgamer.com/elden-ring-everything-we-know/) & [youtube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lls6Gdua_XY) 'Elden Ring' is an upcoming action-adventure role-playing game developed by [FromSoftware](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/elden-ring-tabletop-rpg) and published by [Bandai Namco Entertainment](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-blood-of-dawnwalker). The game was created in a collaborative effort between director Hidetaka Miyazaki and novelist George R. R. Martin, whose epic fantasy works inspired the 'Game of Thrones' series. The single-player game has been under development since 2017 and is expected to release sometime in 2021 on PC, [PlayStation 4](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fantasian-neo-dimension), and Xbox One. Elden Ring transports players to a dark fantasy world, which they have the freedom to explore in an open-world format. The game has been compared to FromSoftware and Bandai Namco's 'Dark Souls,' a notoriously challenging RPG series that places players in a bleak world that's endlessly unforgiving. Image Credit: FromSoftware ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.1/10 - Popularity: 14% | Activity: 10% | Freshness: 10% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/games) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Collaborative Game Development:** Partnering with creatives outside of the gaming industry to enhance storytelling and world-building in RPGs. - **Open-world Rpgs:** Designing expansive game environments to allow for exploration and player agency. - **Dark Fantasy Aesthetics:** Incorporating gothic and macabre themes into RPGs to add to the overall gaming experience. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Video Games:** Game developers can explore new partnership opportunities with creatives from outside the gaming industry. - **Publishing:** Authors and other creatives can translate their work into interactive storytelling mediums. - **Entertainment:** Gaming studios can collaborate with filmmakers and other entertainment industry professionals to create immersive gaming experiences. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Japanese Tabletop RPGs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/elden-ring-tabletop-rpg.md) - [Artful Upcoming Game Expansions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shadow-of-the-erdtree.md) - [Co-Operative Action Hunting Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/elden-ring-nightreign.md) - [Extended Survival Game DLCs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/elden-ring-nightreign-1.md) - [Fantasy World-Inspired Mobile Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/heroes-of-middle-earth.md) - [Punishing Gotchic Role-Playing Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-duskbloods.md) - [Open-World Role-Play Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/soulframe.md) - [Practical Role-Playing Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fantasian-neo-dimension.md) - [Game Add-On Collectors Editions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shadow-of-the-erdtree-collector.md)