An Elden Ring player has sued Bandai Namco and FromSoftware, claiming consumers were misled about the game's content. This article explores the lawsuit, its likelihood of success, and the plaintiff's motivations.
Elden Ring Player Files Small Claims Lawsuit
"Skill Issue" Masks Hidden Content?
A 4chan user, Nora Kisaragi, announced plans to sue Bandai Namco on September 25th, alleging that Elden Ring, and other FromSoftware titles, conceal a "whole new game" behind their notoriously high difficulty. FromSoftware games are known for their challenging yet fair gameplay. Even the recent Shadow of the Erdtree DLC proved exceptionally difficult for experienced players.
Kisaragi argues that this difficulty obscures significant, intentionally hidden content. They claim Bandai Namco and FromSoftware falsely advertised a complete game, citing datamined content as evidence—contrasting with the common belief that this data represents cut content. Kisaragi insists it’s deliberately concealed.
The plaintiff admits lacking concrete evidence, relying instead on "constant hints" from developers. They cite Sekiro's art book hinting at Genichiro's untold story and FromSoftware President Hidetaka Miyazaki's comments about humanity's role in Bloodborne. Their core argument: "You paid for content you can't access without even knowing about it."
Many dismiss the case as absurd, noting that dataminers would have uncovered such a "hidden game" years ago. Cut content remnants in game code are common industry practice, often due to time or development constraints, not intentional concealment.
The Lawsuit's Viability
Massachusetts law allows anyone 18 or older to sue in small claims court without an attorney. However, the judge will determine the case's validity. The plaintiff might attempt to use consumer protection laws, arguing deceptive practices. However, proving the existence of a "hidden dimension" and demonstrating consumer harm will be extremely difficult. Without substantial evidence, dismissal is highly likely.
Even if successful, damages in small claims court are limited. Despite this, Kisaragi remains resolute, stating their goal is to force Bandai Namco to publicly acknowledge the alleged hidden dimension, regardless of the lawsuit's outcome.
