In a recent interview, FromSoftware president Hidetaka Miyazaki shared insights on the popular Seamless Co-op mod for Elden Ring, stating that it is “definitely not something we actively oppose,” and hinting at the possibility of considering similar ideas for future games. This comes as a relief to fans who enjoy a fully cooperative experience, a feature that wasn’t originally part of the Elden Ring plan but has garnered significant popularity.

Revisiting Elden Ring with seamless co-op

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Ahead of covering Shadow of the Erdtree, a recent session with the Seamless Co-op mod was conducted to refresh Elden Ring skills. Rather than tackling the game solo, a friend was recruited to try out the mod, which allows players to enjoy the entire game in a single uninterrupted multiplayer session. This mod has proven to be a highly enjoyable experience and is recommended for anyone returning to Elden Ring after their initial playthrough.

Co-op has always been a favored way to experience FromSoftware’s games. Elden Ring, in particular, makes summoning friends for boss fights and dungeon explorations easier than its predecessors, like Dark Souls. However, it still has some frustrating limitations, such as the inability to ride Torrent in the open world during co-op play. During an interview with Miyazaki, his thoughts on the Seamless Co-op mod and its impact on the gameplay experience were discussed.

Miyazaki’s take on seamless co-op

Miyazaki expressed that FromSoftware does not oppose the idea of playing through the entire game together with friends. He explained, “In terms of where we were with Elden Ring, it was simply a case of wanting that more loose, casual style—drop in, defeat a boss, drop out. It doesn’t put any technical restrictions on the player; it just sort of lets them complete this focus and then move on.”

Elden Ring indeed made co-op play more accessible compared to previous FromSoftware titles. In Dark Souls, players had to use a consumable item to summon help, a limitation that Elden Ring alleviates with its crafting system. Additionally, the introduction of “summoning pools” has made it easier for players to find assistance quickly in tough battles. These improvements cater well to those who occasionally dabble in co-op.

Future possibilities for total co-op experiences

Despite these advancements, the experience of a full journey with a friend—something cherished in the Dark Souls trilogy and now in Elden Ring—remains unique. Miyazaki’s openness to the idea of a total co-op mode in future games is promising. “That’s not to say we won’t consider other ways like you and your friend played, from beginning to end, total co-op—that’s not to say we won’t consider ideas like that with our future games,” he mentioned.

While this is not a definitive promise, it indicates a potential shift in how FromSoftware might approach cooperative gameplay in their upcoming projects. The Seamless Co-op mod’s popularity on the Elden Ring Nexusmods page, with 3.6 million downloads, compared to the next most popular mod at 1.2 million, shows a clear demand for such features. Even a studio known for its unique vision must take note of this significant player interest.

What lies ahead for FromSoftware’s co-op gameplay

FromSoftware’s journey towards making co-op more accessible is evident. Each game has seen improvements in how players can engage with each other. The success of the Seamless Co-op mod highlights a growing desire for a more integrated multiplayer experience. While Miyazaki and his team have not revealed specific plans for the future, the acknowledgment of the mod’s popularity and the hint at considering similar ideas is a positive sign for fans of cooperative play.

In summary, while Elden Ring’s original design did not focus on a total co-op experience, the reception of the Seamless Co-op mod and Miyazaki’s comments suggest that future FromSoftware games might explore more inclusive multiplayer options. This evolution could lead to even richer, more engaging experiences for players who prefer to embark on their adventures with friends by their side.