Tencent, the Chinese tech giant and owner of a 16 percent stake in Elden Ring and Dark Souls-maker FromSoftware, is reportedly developing a free-to-play mobile version of the highly anticipated game. According to Reuters, progress on the project has been slow, but the mobile version is expected to feature in-app purchases and may resemble miHoYo’s popular game Genshin Impact in terms of its play/pay flow.
For fans of Elden Ring, known for its challenging gameplay and unforgiving landscape, this news may come as a disappointment. The game has been praised for its immersive experience, where players must invest time and effort into mastering boss patterns, improving their build, and refining their reactions. However, Tencent’s approach seems to prioritize monetization through in-app purchases and booster packs, potentially altering the game’s nature and setting.
Tencent is no stranger to the mobile gaming industry. As the company behind WeChat, the largest tech firm in China and the world’s largest gaming revenue company, Tencent has previously found success with mobile versions of popular titles such as PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG), League of Legends: Wild Rift, and Call of Duty. However, recent years have seen less success for the company.
In December 2023, Tencent’s attempt to develop a game based on the Nier franchise came to a halt. The project reportedly failed to find a monetization model that could offset development costs, licensing fees from Square Enix, and app store fees. Similarly, Tencent abandoned a mobile version of Apex Legends last year.
Despite these challenges, Tencent’s CEO Pony Ma has expressed the need for new hits in the company’s game division. The development of mobile versions of popular franchises like Need for Speed and Assassin’s Creed is already underway. Creating a profitable licensed version of Elden Ring could be the ultimate challenge that Ma is seeking.
For fans of the original title, the prospect of a mobile version may raise concerns about the game’s integrity. The shift to a free-to-play model with in-app purchases could potentially compromise the immersive and challenging experience that Elden Ring is known for. It remains to be seen how Tencent will balance monetization with maintaining the essence of the game.
As progress on the mobile version of Elden Ring continues, fans eagerly await updates on its development. Will Tencent be able to strike a balance between profitability and preserving the core elements that make Elden Ring a beloved game? Only time will tell. In the meantime, fans can test their poise by embracing the uncertainty and hoping for the best outcome.
