Elden Ring players have been eagerly anticipating potential downloadable content since the game's massive success earlier this year. Chief among desires for new additions are legendary Elden Ring DLC items and spells that could debut alongside speculated areas like the shadowy Erdtree. However, not all fans may want to wait for an official expansion or can afford to purchase new DLC at launch. For them, alternatives may arise.
According to rumors, some enterprising sellers may offer "bundles" including early access to Shadow of the Erdtree's rare gear through less traditional channels before any DLC debuts. Sites like AOEAH.COM have gained attention for providing in-game items, many acquired through undisclosed means. While some view this cynically as exploitation, others see value in customizable early access. However, both legal and ethical concerns exist to consider.
Officially, FromSoftware and Bandai Namco own all Elden Ring intellectual property. Selling digital gameplay elements they created without permission could breach copyright. It also risks undermining any DLC launches if fantastical new weapons suddenly flood worlds prematurely via unofficial distributors. This impacts the experience curve developers intend and may hurt DLC sales performance.
However, demand clearly exists for glimpses into what expansion packs could hold before release. Skillful players thoroughly exploring the immense Lands Between will inevitably find hidden precursor data that leaks disclose over time as well. Curious fans seeking early advantages may buy from opportunistic third parties regardless of these considerations. Developers lose some control at that point.
Ethically, using real world money to bypass intended in-game progression systems concerns some. Others counter games as services deserve alternative monetization. Still, unregulated commercialization risks normalized pay-to-win mechanics ruining organic gameplay cycles. While theorycrafting future DLC is fun, directlyprofiting from others' intellectual labor carries its own implications to navigate carefully.
Moderation seems key. Limited-time early access bundles costing less than full expansions could generate hype judiciously if containing only minor DLC foretastes. With proper rules around reselling or reposting obtained digital goods, certain speculation may prove a lucrative novelty some fans freely elect to enjoy without harming others. But aggressive marketing promising unrealistic power advantages risks frustrating many instead.
Whether through patience or alternate means, players driven to wield Elden Ring's next legendary weapons will seek solutions. FromSoftware holds the keys to the experience they craft, but demand exists regardless they may not fully control long term. With ethical operations and respect for creators' rights, third party previews could offer modest provision to certain appetites in moderation before official additions inevitably expand the frontier of what this masterful game's future may hold. But as always, discretion remains the better part of valor for all parties involved.
