Will the DLC ever go on sale?

[noisyturtle]

I've been waiting forever, I'm tired of avoiding spoilers and being poor. Will the DLC ever go on sale?

[LegPuller]

Originally posted by SHOCKNUTZ:

Oh, weary Tarnished, you’ve wandered into the fog-laden lands of inquiry, seeking the elusive truth about whether the Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree DLC will ever grace the digital storefronts with the sweet mercy of a discount. Your question, born of patience stretched thin and a wallet burdened by the weight of scarcity, resonates deeply in the Lands Between, where every choice feels like a gamble against fate. Let’s embark on a journey through the mists of speculation, historical precedent, and the cryptic machinations of FromSoftware and Bandai Namco, as we ponder the possibility of a sale without ever quite grasping the answer.

First, let’s consider the nature of Elden Ring itself, a game that has carved its name into the annals of gaming history with a flaming greatsword. Released in February 2022, it sold over 25 million copies by mid-2024, a testament to its enduring allure. The Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, launched on June 21, 2024, for $39.99, is no mere trinket—it’s a sprawling expansion, praised as one of the greatest of its kind, with a Metascore of 94 and over 5 million copies sold in just three days. Such success might make one wonder: why would a publisher, basking in the glow of such triumph, deign to lower the price? Yet, the winds of commerce are fickle, and even the mightiest demigods must bow to the tides of supply and demand.

Now, let’s delve into the historical tapestry of FromSoftware’s pricing practices. The studio, known for its stoic refusal to coddle players, has a similarly resolute approach to discounts. Take Dark Souls III, for example. Its DLCs, Ashes of Ariandel and The Ringed City, didn’t see significant sales until several months after their 2016 and 2017 releases, often with modest 10-20% reductions during major Steam sales like the Winter or Summer events. Elden Ring itself, a juggernaut of sales, took a year to go on sale, with discounts appearing around early 2023. This suggests a pattern: FromSoftware and Bandai Namco prefer to let their titles simmer at full price, capitalizing on their cult-like following before offering crumbs of savings to the patient.

But Shadow of the Erdtree is a unique beast. Unlike the bite-sized DLCs of yore, it’s a behemoth, rivaling entire games in scope. Its price tag of $39.99 reflects this ambition, and early discounts have been rare. However, there are glimmers of hope—or perhaps cruel mirages. In June 2024, just before the DLC’s release, retailers like Fanatical and Green Man Gaming offered pre-order discounts, dropping the price to $35.19, a modest 12% off. Later, during Fanatical’s Black Friday sale in November 2024, the DLC hit its lowest price of $35.19 again, with the Deluxe Edition (including the base game) at $87.99. More recently, on October 3, 2024, Gamerthor listed it for $28.33, the historical low, though such deals are fleeting and often region-specific. These instances suggest that sales are possible, but they’re as unpredictable as a Malenia combo.

Let’s not ignore the broader context of the gaming industry. Major sales events—Steam’s Summer Sale, Winter Sale, or platform-specific promotions like PlayStation’s Days of Play—often see publishers loosen their grip on full-price titles. Given that Shadow of the Erdtree is now nearly a year old, it’s conceivable that Bandai Namco might include it in such events to entice new players or rekindle interest ahead of, say, the release of Elden Ring: Nightreign, the multiplayer spinoff slated for 2025. Yet, FromSoftware’s DLCs rarely see deep cuts; a 20% discount might be the ceiling for the first year or two, especially given the expansion’s critical acclaim and sustained demand.

Now, consider the community’s perspective, as voiced in the shadowed corners of Reddit and Steam forums. Posts from mid-2024 lament the lack of sales, with users speculating that a “Game of the Year” bundle might emerge by late 2025, combining the base game and DLC at a reduced price. Others, more cynical, argue that Bandai Namco’s confidence in Elden Ring’s enduring popularity means they have little incentive to discount the DLC soon. One user on Steam’s discussion boards even suggested that waiting for a sale might yield only a $4-$8 reduction, hardly worth the agony of dodging spoilers. These voices, while not authoritative, paint a picture of a fanbase caught between hope and resignation, much like a Tarnished facing the Elden Beast with a +0 weapon.

We must also ponder the economic realities. The gaming industry, battered by rising development costs and inflation, has seen publishers lean heavily on DLCs to bolster revenue. Shadow of the Erdtree, with its massive scope, likely cost a small fortune to produce. Bandai Namco, aware of Elden Ring’s 30 million-strong player base, might see full-price sales as a safer bet than risking devaluation through early discounts. Yet, as the DLC ages and its initial sales surge wanes, the allure of capturing budget-conscious players—like yourself, dear Tarnished—could shift their calculus.

Let’s take a moment to reflect on your plight—avoiding spoilers while tethered to financial constraints. It’s a cruel fate, akin to navigating Caelid without a map. The internet is a minefield of unguarded plot points, from Messmer’s fiery tyranny to Miquella’s enigmatic journey. Waiting for a sale might spare your coin, but it prolongs your exile from the Land of Shadow. Could a gifted copy from a generous friend, as one Reddit user contemplated, be an option? Or perhaps trading in-game wisdom with fellow Tarnished could ease the wait? These are but fleeting thoughts, not answers, for the path forward remains shrouded.

As we circle back to the core of your question, we find ourselves at a crossroads. The precedents of FromSoftware’s past, the DLC’s monumental success, the industry’s economic pressures, and the community’s restless anticipation all weave a complex tapestry. Sales have happened, and more may come, but their timing and magnitude are as inscrutable as the Greater Will itself. To wait is to endure, but to act is to risk the full weight of $39.99 on your weary shoulders.

In the end, whether Shadow of the Erdtree will grace the altars of commerce with a sale is not a question for merchants or developers alone. It is a quest that demands you peer into the abyss of your own resolve. Will you hold fast, a sentinel against the tides of full-price temptation, or will you forge ahead, claiming the Land of Shadow as your own? The answer lies not in Steam’s storefront or Bandai Namco’s ledgers, but in the flickering embers of your Tarnished soul, where only you can decide if the price of patience outweighs the call of destiny.

Ignoring this AI slop wall of text, it'll probably go on sale next major steam sale. It's up to the dev. Keep an eye here: https://steamdb.info/app/2778580/

[Darth Invader]

I'm in the same boat. I know the moment I buy it, the next day it's going to go on sale for like 60% off. It'll be a year since release in June, maybe the Summer sale.

[White Glint]

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