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The new Elden Ring board game Kickstarter earned $1m in pledges just two hours after it launched, and its popularity may have actually caused the website to crash.
Although it's not confirmed for sure whether this tabletop adaptation brought Kickstarter to its knees, the timing is certainly suspect - developers of the Elden Ring board game noted "traffic and loading issues on the Kickstarter website" just after the campaign went live, and because it had already broken the record for highest number of pre-campaign followers, the suggestion seems to hold weight. You can check out the Kickstarter page for yourself here.
Made by Steamforged Games (which also created Dark Souls: The Board Game and the Horizon Zero Dawn board game), this version of Elden Ring is designed for one to four players and is a co-op experience that sees you wandering the wilds of Limgrave, the game's opening area. We had a chance to go hands on earlier in November with our Elden Ring: The Board Game preview, and came away impressed by what feels like a 'new-game plus' of sorts for its inspiration.
As observed by Steamforged co-founder Mat Hart, "we are absolutely blown away by the support for Elden Ring: The Board Game. A significant amount of work has gone on behind-the-scenes to create an experience that truly does justice to the video game, from the considered decision to focus on Limgrave for this release - so that we can give each deep and detailed region from the video game the attention it deserves - to the boundaries we’ve pushed with the gameplay and combat system design, to the incredibly detailed miniatures. It’s a triumph for the Steamforged team and for all of our Tarnished supporters, and our journey into the Lands Between is only just beginning".
Originally announced in September, Elden Ring: The Board Game originally played coy with what it would contain. Judging by official press releases, it seemed like a cross between Monster Hunter World board game (where attacks are determined by cards) and Runescape: Shadows of Elvarg with its traditional map that gives way to a smaller, more 'zoomed-in' boss encounter. However, we now know that it breaks fresh ground with simultaneous player turns that allow you to have a personalised adventure without needing to wait ages for your next go. What follows feels very much like - but is still distinct from - its inspiration.
"Our mission is always to deliver authentic tabletop adaptations that capture the essence of what fans know and love about the IP," Hart said at the time of the reveal earlier this year. "Fans should expect a dark, richly-realised tabletop world of mystery and peril, with satisfying combat and rewarding exploration. Prepare to lose hours to this game, and to be glad about it."
If you're unsure about whether you want to hang on until Elden Ring: The Board Game arrives, you can take a look at Steamforged's other work - and a few must-have classics from different tabletop studios - via our bargain-hunting widget below. It offers up the best current prices on the top board games.
As for all things to do with the Lands Between, don't miss this Elden Ring merchandise or our extensive Elden Ring guide.
You can get more recommendations with our guide to the best cooperative board games, essential board games for adults, and these must-have board games for 2 players.
