Elden Ring Player Sues For Content Being Inaccessible Due to Skill Issues

A gamer's lawsuit against Bandai Namco and FromSoftware claims deceptive advertising, alleging hidden Elden Ring content obscured by difficulty. This article explores the lawsuit, its viability, and the plaintiff's motivations.

Elden Ring Lawsuit Filed in Small Claims Court

Hidden Content: A "Skill Issue"?

A 4Chan user, Nora Kisaragi, announced plans to sue Bandai Namco on September 25th. The claim? FromSoftware games, including Elden Ring, conceal a "whole new game" through intentionally high difficulty.

FromSoftware's games are known for challenging gameplay. The recent Elden Ring DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree, exemplifies this, proving difficult even for experienced players. Kisaragi argues this difficulty masks significant, intentionally hidden content, alleging false advertising by Bandai Namco for selling an incomplete game. This contrasts with the common belief that such content is simply cut material. The plaintiff cites datamined content and what they call "constant hints" from developers as evidence, referencing Sekiro's art book and statements by FromSoftware President Hidetaka Miyazaki. Their core argument: players paid for inaccessible content without knowledge of its existence.

The lawsuit's absurdity is highlighted by the fact that dataminers would likely have uncovered such a "hidden game" years ago. Cut content is common in game development due to time and resource constraints; it doesn't automatically imply intentional concealment.

Legal Prospects: A Long Shot?

Massachusetts law allows anyone over 18 to sue in small claims court without an attorney. However, the judge will assess the case's validity. The plaintiff might attempt to use the state's Consumer Protection Law, which prohibits unfair or deceptive practices. However, proving deceptive advertising in this instance will be extremely difficult. Substantial evidence is needed to support the existence of a "hidden dimension" and demonstrate how this deception harmed consumers. Without concrete proof, dismissal is highly probable.

Even if successful, damages in small claims court are limited. Despite this, Kisaragi's stated goal is not financial compensation, but to force Bandai Namco to publicly acknowledge the alleged hidden content.