The long-awaited expansion Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree has officially launched—and the response has been overwhelming. Just one hour after its release, the game’s online player count on Steam surged past 300,000 concurrent users, reaching a staggering 308,807 players.
This record-breaking turnout, tracked solely on personal computers, reflects the immense anticipation that has surrounded FromSoftware’s critically acclaimed open-world action RPG since its original launch in 2022.
A Monumental PC Launch – Steam Numbers Soar
Over 300,000 Players in the First Hour
On May 30 at 1:00 AM Moscow time (May 29 evening for U.S. players), Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree officially became available for download. Within just 60 minutes, Steam’s stats began reflecting the overwhelming player interest. The expansion recorded over 308,000 concurrent players, placing it among the highest trending games on the platform.
These numbers make Shadow of the Erdtree one of the biggest DLC launches in recent memory and rival the peaks of many full game releases on Steam.
Console Player Numbers Likely Much Higher
No Official Console Data—Yet
While the PC statistics have been confirmed via SteamDB and other trackers, Sony and Microsoft have not released official figures for concurrent players on PlayStation or Xbox. However, given Elden Ring’s widespread popularity and massive console install base, it’s safe to assume that console participation is significantly higher than on PC alone.
The base game itself sold over 20 million copies, with a large portion attributed to consoles. Industry analysts believe the total player count across all platforms during the first 24 hours of the DLC launch could easily exceed one million active players.
What Makes Shadow of the Erdtree So Highly Anticipated?
Deep Lore and New Lands
FromSoftware has a track record of highly immersive storytelling and world-building. Shadow of the Erdtree expands on Elden Ring’s mythos, offering players new insights into characters, events, and divine forces hinted at in the base game.
Players venture into new lands beyond the Lands Between, facing horrifying enemies, mysterious ruins, and untold secrets tied to the Erdtree itself.
Fresh Weapons, Bosses, and Mechanics
In addition to new environments, the DLC brings:
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Dozens of new weapons, including unique weapon classes
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Challenging new bosses designed with the studio’s signature difficulty
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Expanded character customization options
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Fresh armor sets and talismans
These additions are designed to cater to both long-time fans and new players seeking fresh content and greater challenges.
Critical Reception and Community Buzz
Positive Reviews Fuel the Hype
Critics and content creators who received early access to the DLC have praised its scale, design, and difficulty. Many are calling it FromSoftware’s best DLC ever, comparing it favorably to Bloodborne: The Old Hunters and Dark Souls III: The Ringed City.
The Elden Ring community on Reddit, Twitter (X), and YouTube has exploded with reactions, walkthroughs, and live streams. Twitch viewership of the game surged into the hundreds of thousands as fans tuned in to see first impressions and speedruns of the new bosses.
A Defining Moment for Action RPGs
The success of Shadow of the Erdtree marks yet another milestone for Elden Ring and the broader Soulsborne genre. FromSoftware has cemented itself as a leading force in the gaming industry, redefining what DLC expansions can achieve in terms of content and cultural impact.
Whether you’re a returning Tarnished or diving in for the first time, Shadow of the Erdtree promises a punishing but rewarding journey that will resonate long after the final boss falls.
