There have been many attempts to predict how and where Elden Ring DLC could take place in the Lands Between, but there's been less discussion about if any expansion is actually coming at all. Some have rushed to the conclusion that because the game has had such a stark success, FromSoftware will inevitably create more content; one player even said they'd beat Elden Ring's Malenia repeatedly until DLC is announced. While many fans would love to see an expansion launch at some point, they should also keep a realistic perspective in mind and consider what other projects the studio is simultaneously working on.
Discussion regarding DLC is typical for open-world RPGs because of the layout for potential future content - whether intentional by the developers or not - and Elden Ring is no different. Not long after its release in February, players had already begun creating theories and hypothetical scenarios about certain locations on the map and how an expansion could be tied to particular spots. Indeed, there are plenty of Elden Ring mysteries that DLC can explain, or at least add more context onto some of the mind-boggling stories players encounter within the Lands Between. It's been nearly five months since the game first launched, so if any sort of expansion is coming before the end of the year, it'd be announced sooner rather than later.
Unfortunately, FromSoftware hasn't confirmed any leaks about an expansion, nor has the studio answered any interview questions related to the topic. However, it's likely that the option of a future DLC has at least been an idea - if not a serious consideration - for Hidetaka Miyazaki, Elden Ring's director; it almost seems too good of an opportunity to pass up after the game's initial impact. Despite that, though, there could be other aspects that are either prohibiting or stopping the studio from releasing additional content.
Elden Ring Getting DLC Seems More Likely Than Not
Incentives for FromSoftware releasing a follow-up expansion include the financial report that hints at Elden Ring DLC coming, which, from a business perspective, is enticing. Less than a month after its launch, Elden Ring had already sold 12 million copies worldwide, and it has only grown since then, remaining within Steam's best-sellers list while rarely being on sale. Another factor that supports Elden Ring receiving DLC is the fact that all three Dark Souls games got expansions - sometimes more than one. And in conjunction with that, Elden Ring has a plethora of avenues that can be utilized to expand its horizons beyond the current map scope, which makes the idea more realistic.
On the flip slide, there are also reasons that could be stopping Elden Ring from receiving more content. The most obvious one is that FromSoftware's next game after Elden Ring is supposedly in its final stages of development and is rumored to be launching fairly soon. Most of the development team has probably been put onto this project to help finish it and make sure the launch goes smoothly, and this takes away time to be able to create DLC for Elden Ring, especially considering how massive it is. Regardless of what is or is not coming, players will have to remain patient for the time being and continue finding new avenues to experience Elden Ring, of which there are plenty.