Shadow of the Erdtree Logo PNG
The Shadow of the Erdtree logo lifts the veil on a world of ancient mysteries and supernatural forces. It hints that behind the majestic radiance lies darkness, which can disrupt the usual order of things. The emblem intertwines motifs of decay and rebirth, reflecting the essence of the game’s world.
Shadow of the Erdtree: Brand overview
FromSoftware and publisher Bandai Namco formally revealed the development of an expansion (DLC) for Elden Ring on February 25, 2023, marking the beginning of “Shadow of the Erdtree” history. The original game, which enjoyed great popularity and was named “Game of the Year” at The Game Awards 2022, was released exactly one year before this announcement.
Concept art showing an enigmatic environment with the outline of a giant tree in the background was released along with the announcement. Fans were instantly drawn to this image, which also generated a lot of conjecture about what might be included in the expansion. With its promise of more exploration of the Elden Ring world and an expansion of the game’s lore, the title “Shadow of the Erdtree” piqued players’ interest.
After the first announcement, FromSoftware, in keeping with its customary non-disclosure policy, withheld more information about the project for a considerable time. This suspense caused the player community to speculate much about what would be included in the DLC.
Nearly a year after the original announcement, on February 28, 2024, FromSoftware released the first official trailer for the expansion. The three-minute teaser unveiled several fresh locales, adversaries, and bosses while hinting at an extended Elden Ring storyline. One scenario, in particular, stood out because it included an enigmatic figure that reminded the player of Malenia, one of the most memorable bosses from the first game.
The official release date of the DLC—June 21, 2024—was revealed along with the teaser. With this announcement, more details regarding the expansion’s contents were released. FromSoftware asserted that the new DLC would be a major add-on, on par with their earlier big expansions, such as “The Old Hunters” for Bloodborne and “Artorias of the Abyss” for Dark Souls.
Additionally, the devs disclosed that the “Land of Shadows,” a new region of the Lands Between that wasn’t playable in the original game, would be explored in the DLC. This region offers players more challenges, distinct bosses and opponents, and a larger selection of spells and weaponry.
FromSoftware started a more aggressive marketing effort in March 2024. Publications included interviews with important developers like Hidetaka Miyazaki, the game’s director. During these talks, Miyazaki hints that the DLC would have a plot tightly tied to the past of Miquella, an enigmatic figure who was mentioned but not shown in the previous game.
The latest gameplay videos and pictures that showcased some of the game’s new features were published in April 2024. The developers demonstrated a novel weapon known as the “living weapon,” which sparked much attention because it was supposed to change as the player advanced.
One month before the game’s release in May 2024, FromSoftware held a closed beta test for the expansion with a small group of participants. Generally, favorable feedback that leaked online further raised fan expectations, even though non-disclosure agreements bound participants.
The expansion has not yet been released when this history is written, but great anticipation exists. Enthusiasts excitedly anticipate the chance to revisit Elden Ring’s universe and solve the fresh riddles the creators have in store. Two years after the game’s original release, pre-orders for the DLC have already surpassed the publisher’s projections, demonstrating the game’s ongoing popularity.
Meaning and History
What is Shadow of the Erdtree?
This expansion for the critically acclaimed action RPG Elden Ring will further immerse players into the dark and mysterious fantasy world created in collaboration with George R. R. Martin. It is expected to challenge players with even more dangerous enemies and monsters and allow them to explore new, previously uncharted areas of the Lands Between. Players will be able to learn more about the game’s mythology, which was only partially revealed in the main game, delving into its dark secrets. The expansion will introduce new gameplay elements, including enhanced mechanics, tools, and skills, giving players more tactical combat options. Experienced players are expected to be satisfied with the game’s high difficulty, the combination of intricate level design, and the unpredictable narrative that has already made Elden Ring one of the most significant games of its time.
2024 – today
Shadow of the Erdtree is an expansion for the game Elden Ring, so it features a similar logo that hints at their connection. Its style aligns with the dark fantasy aesthetic, indicated by elegant angular shapes and unusual textures that create a sense of something both grim and majestic. The emblem fully captures the atmosphere of a fictional world filled with magic, supernatural forces, and epic battles.
The designers managed to convey all these ideas in a few letters without using any graphic symbols. The absence of thematic images and icons makes the logo cohesive, as it consists of two visually connected inscriptions:
- At the top is the name of the role-playing game Elden Ring, released in 2022;
- The second line contains the phrase “SHADOW OF THE ERDTREE,” representing the expansion to the mentioned ARPG.
The emblem lacks a base or clearly defined boundaries, giving a sense of freedom when viewed. The game’s expansive addition provides freedom of choice, with new character classes, unknown weapon types, and a vast fantasy world to explore, where the story’s mysteries can be uncovered.
The upper part of the logo mirrors Elden Ring’s wordmark: a golden inscription in capital letters. The first “E” and the last “G” are enlarged to emphasize the game’s epic scale. The logo symbolizes the starting and ending points between which gamers face many trials, challenges, and adventures.
The lower level features words of different sizes: “SHADOW” and “ERDTREE” are much larger than the separating “OF” and “THE.” The preposition and article are arranged vertically to take up as little space as possible, as the designers aimed to align the two parts of the logo in width. The contrasting letter sizes create visual balance, enhancing the sense of grandeur characteristic of the fantasy genre.
All inscription elements are executed in the same font with pronounced triangular serifs. The emblem appears monumental in a strict classical style, while the smoothly widening and narrowing lines add elegance. Yet the sharp angles hint at a sense of inevitability as if alluding to an unknown destructive force. This reflects the dark aesthetic typical of dark fantasy, which manifests in the game as abandoned locations, ominous monsters, and an overwhelming sense of fatalism.
The letters look like they are forged from noble metals or carved from stone. The original design reminds players that they will encounter ancient forces and gods inherent to the world of the Elden Ring. The textures of gold and silver amplify the sense of antiquity, symbolizing mystery, magic, and power.
At the same time, the cracks and wear on the edges of the glyphs evoke a sense of fatality. This gives the impression that the grandeur of the inscription has long faded—its brightness does not save it. The letters seem to crumble, like a world on the brink of disaster. The contrast between grandeur and decay underscores the game’s unique atmosphere, where there is no clear division between good and evil, and beauty stands side by side with destruction.
