Elden Ring, the highly anticipated action role-playing game developed by FromSoftware, once had a different starting location, according to recent findings by Souls series dataminer Sekiro Dubi. The original starting location would have seen players washing ashore on a beach in Limgrave after a ‘supposed to lose’ fight with a Grafted Scion in the Chapel of Anticipation, rather than waking up underground in the tutorial dungeon, the Stranded Graveyard.

This discovery sheds light on an interesting development in the game’s design, as it presents a more logical progression for players. The alternate starting location on the western shore of Limgrave near the Seaside Ruins, as uncovered by the dataminer, would have provided a back way into the tutorial dungeon through a nearby cave entrance. This beachside wakeup scenario, where the player falls from the cliffs into the ocean and washes up on the shore, appears to make more sense geographically.

However, it seems that FromSoftware made a conscious decision to change the starting location, opting for the underground awakening in the Stranded Graveyard. This decision is speculated to have been influenced by the desire to maintain a more structured and immersive tutorial sequence for players, as well as to preserve the iconic moment of emerging from the Stranded Graveyard onto the First Step and witnessing Limgrave stretch out before them.

It is evident that the developers aimed to deliver a surreal and ineffable gaming experience, and the change in starting location reflects their commitment to creating a captivating and immersive world for players to explore. While the original starting location may have made more geographical sense, the decision to alter it in favor of a more impactful and cohesive gameplay experience showcases the meticulous attention to detail that FromSoftware is known for.

As fans eagerly await the release of Elden Ring, these insights into the game’s development process offer a fascinating glimpse into the creative decisions that shape the gaming experience. The evolving design choices and the thought process behind them serve to heighten anticipation for the game’s eventual launch, as players look forward to embarking on a captivating journey through the enigmatic world of Elden Ring.