## Official Release Date
Elden Ring was officially released worldwide on **February 25, 2022**.

The game’s launch followed years of high anticipation after its initial announcement. While the global release date was set for February 25, the exact timing varied slightly by region and platform:
* **Consoles (PlayStation/Xbox):** Released at midnight local time on February 25, 2022, in most regions. In the United States, it became available at 9:00 PM PT / 11:00 PM CT on February 24.
* **PC (Steam):** Released simultaneously worldwide, which resulted in a February 24 launch for players in North and South America (e.g., 6:00 PM ET / 3:00 PM PT).

## Platform Availability
At launch, Elden Ring was made available on the following platforms:
* **Sony:** PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 (with a free upgrade path for PS4 owners).
* **Microsoft:** Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S (supporting Smart Delivery).
* **PC:** Windows via Steam.

In **2026**, the game was also released for the **Nintendo Switch 2**, bringing the title to a handheld-hybrid Nintendo platform for the first time.

## Development Timeline and Delays
The journey to the February 2022 release involved several key milestones and a notable delay:
* **Early Development:** Production began in early 2017, shortly after the release of the *Dark Souls III* DLC, *The Ringed City*.
* **Official Announcement:** The game was first revealed at E3 2019 with a cinematic trailer.
* **Initial Release Date:** During Summer Game Fest 2021, FromSoftware announced an initial release date of **January 21, 2022**.
* **The Delay:** On October 18, 2021, the developers announced a one-month delay to February 25, 2022. The reason cited was that the “depth and strategic freedom of the game exceeded initial expectations,” requiring more time for final adjustments and QA (Quality Assurance).
* **Closed Network Test:** A playable beta was held from November 12–15, 2021, allowing a limited number of players to explore the Limgrave region.

## Major Expansion: Shadow of the Erdtree
The first and only major story expansion, *Shadow of the Erdtree*, was released on **June 21, 2024**.
* **Announcement:** It was first teased in February 2023.
* **Content:** The DLC introduced the “Land of Shadow,” a massive new map separate from the Lands Between, featuring over 10 new major bosses, new weapon categories (such as Great Katanas and Backhand Blades), and a specialized “Scadutree Blessing” progression system.
* **Sales:** The expansion sold over 5 million copies within its first three days and surpassed 10 million copies by July 2025.

## Franchise Expansion: Elden Ring Nightreign
Following the success of the base game and its expansion, a multiplayer-focused spinoff titled *Elden Ring Nightreign* was released on **May 30, 2025**.
* **Focus:** This title shifted the focus toward cooperative and competitive multiplayer encounters, utilizing the combat mechanics established in the original game but within a framework designed for repeatable group play.
* **Platforms:** It launched on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.

## Key Post-Launch Milestones
* **Patch 1.03 (March 2022):** Added the ability to see NPC icons and names on the world map, a major quality-of-life update.
* **Colosseum Update (December 2022):** Patch 1.08 opened the large arenas in Limgrave, Caelid, and Leyndell, introducing dedicated PvP modes including Duels, United Combat, and Combat Ordeals.
* **Ray Tracing Support (March 2023):** Patch 1.09 added ray tracing options for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X.
* **Sales Milestones:** Elden Ring reached 13.4 million copies sold by March 2022, 20 million by February 2023, and officially crossed the **30 million copies** mark by April 2025.
* **Awards:** The game won “Game of the Year” at The Game Awards 2022, as well as the Ultimate Game of the Year at the Golden Joystick Awards and the Grand Prize at the Japan Game Awards.