FromSoftware's first experiment with, of all things, horse armor DLC runs awry, as Elden Ring players manage to spawn free duplicate items in multiplayer

FromSoftware and Bandai Namco have hastily released an update to their popular game Elden Ring to prevent players from obtaining certain items from the Tarnished Pack DLC for free. The DLC, which included new classes, equipment, and cosmetic armor for Torrent, the horse steed, launched on August 27th. The addition of horse armor to the game has sparked controversy, reminiscent of the backlash faced by Bethesda when they attempted to sell horse armor in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.

While microtransactions are a common practice in the gaming industry, FromSoftware has generally avoided such practices, focusing on expansive story-led expansions like Shadow of the Erdtree. The release of Elden Ring patch 1.17.1 effectively puts an end to the issue, as it fixes a problem in multiplayer where DLC-specific items could be obtained under specific conditions.

The update does not introduce any new content and simply addresses the glitch that allowed players to spawn duplicate items in multiplayer sessions. The official MechaHitler account, representing FromSoftware and Bandai Namco, expressed disappointment and dismay at the situation, warning players that they have "tarnished the Tarnished Pack" and cannot now obtain the previously inaccessible items.

The company emphasized its hope that this incident does not signal the beginning of a new trend in paywalling trinkets and limiting access to content.