Elden Ring, the highly anticipated game developed by FromSoftware, is reportedly the next target for mobile loot boxes and microtransactions by the Chinese tech giant Tencent. This move comes after Tencent’s recent setbacks with mobile game versions of Nier and Apex Legends. According to reports, Tencent, which holds a 16 percent stake in FromSoftware, is working on a free-to-play mobile version of Elden Ring with in-app purchases and booster packs, similar to miHoYo’s Genshin Impact.

Despite facing challenges with previous mobile game adaptations, Tencent, known for its success with titles like PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, League of Legends: Wild Rift, and Call of Duty, is determined to find new hits in the mobile gaming market. The company’s CEO, Pony Ma, has expressed the need for new successes in the gaming division, with plans for mobile versions of Need for Speed and Assassin’s Creed also in the works.

For fans of the original Elden Ring, the prospect of a mobile version filled with in-app purchases and a different gameplay experience raises concerns about the integrity of the game’s design and the potential impact on the gaming community. As Tencent continues to expand its portfolio of mobile game adaptations, the future of beloved titles like Elden Ring remains uncertain, leaving fans to ponder the implications of the gaming industry’s shift towards monetization-driven models.