Elden Ring Player Files Accessibility Lawsuit

A gamer is suing Bandai Namco and FromSoftware, claiming deceptive advertising because of allegedly hidden Elden Ring content. This article explores the lawsuit, its viability, and the plaintiff's motivations.

Elden Ring Lawsuit Filed in Small Claims Court

The lawsuit, announced on 4Chan, alleges that Elden Ring, and other FromSoftware titles, contain a "hidden game" intentionally obscured by the high difficulty. This contradicts FromSoftware's reputation for challenging yet fair gameplay. The recent Elden Ring DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree, even proved too difficult for veteran players, highlighting the established difficulty curve.

The plaintiff, Nora Kisaragi, argues that the difficulty masks significant, intentionally hidden content, claiming Bandai Namco and FromSoftware misrepresented the game's completeness. They cite datamined content as evidence, unlike others who believe this data points to cut content. Kisaragi contends the developers strategically concealed this content.

The plaintiff admits a lack of concrete evidence, relying on "constant hints" from developers. They point to Sekiro's art book hinting at Genichiro's untold story and FromSoftware President Hidetaka Miyazaki's statement about humanity's potential in Bloodborne. The core argument: players paid for inaccessible, unknown content.

Many dismiss the case as absurd, noting dataminers would have uncovered such a hidden game. The presence of cut content in game code is common due to development constraints and doesn't imply intentional concealment.

The Lawsuit's Legal Standing

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 against "unfair or deceptive practices," arguing the developers withheld information. However, proving the existence of a "hidden dimension" and resulting consumer harm will be extremely difficult. Without substantial evidence, dismissal is likely.

Even if successful, damages in small claims court are limited. Despite this, Kisaragi remains focused on forcing Bandai Namco to publicly acknowledge the alleged hidden dimension, regardless of the case's outcome.