Signs are everywhere and nowhere that Elden Ring's Shadow of the Erdtree DLC will be released soon. Fans are turning to everything and anything they can find to prove that From Software is nearing a release date. This week's clue comes from a small update on Steam labeled as DLC, which is slightly more credible than the date from the controller manufacturer, but still thin.

Earlier this week, a new DLC app identification number was added to "Elden Ring" on Steam (via SteamDB), suggesting that FromSoft is preparing to list "Shadows of the Eldestree" on its store page. Naturally, when "Eldenring" fans saw this, they immediately began building a theory that will begin with an announcement at tomorrow's Xbox Developer Direct.

It's not as big a leap as it looks: Elden Ring was originally announced at Microsoft's Xbox E3 2019 press conference. I wouldn't be surprised to see it at the Xbox show again, but the lineup has already been revealed of games Microsoft will be publishing (we're going to see a new Indiana Jones game and Obsidian's Avowed, among others)

Devout Elden Ring fans will turn to me for a recent teaser of an Elden Ring figure coming out next month from PureArts, but I say it's a reach. I also feel the same way about controller maker Thrustmaster's February 2024 release date for the DLC and hinting at a second DLC for 2025 (before it was all removed). FromSoftware announces something when they feel like it, and it could be an irregular Tuesday, or it could be a big event.

Despite such improbability, fans of the Elden Ring continue to believe that the big announcement is just days away; Soulslike YouTuber Ziostorm updated his Steam page about two months before Dark Souls 2 and 3 were announced with DLC, then stated that they updated it again a day or two before release. However, it has been over a day since the Elden Ring update and nothing has been heard from them.

"Oh, so this is the real 'Chapel of Expectations,'" Reddit user Auri_L writes about the name of the opening area.

In the same thread with over 500 comments, someone brought up a person who recently theorized that there might be some truth to the lyrics of Taylor Swift's "Ivy". Their post was tagged "humor," but they still wrote several paragraphs trying to convince everyone that the pop star knew the date of the DLC two years before the game was released. At this point, it may be a safety concern that FromSoftware does not immediately announce the date.

On X, people excited about this little update have posted various GIFs and videos, including a video of the Bloodborne boss clutching the magic sword that will ultimately doom him. The irony is so strong that I don't care if the posters are aware of it or not. Let Me Solo Her" stuck its neck out on this topic and said, "I can't. Again. The Incredibles" meme: "I'm . Not strong enough. Perhaps it's because they know that FromSoft always puts up the hardest fight in DLC.

The last official information we heard from producer Yasuhiro Kitao about Shadow of the Erdtree in December was that it was "a little ways away, but progress is good. And with no hint of it at this year's Game Awards, the likelihood that an announcement is imminent seems as high as it was sometime last year. Until FromSoft gets close to X in a hurry or something, everyone will have to restrain themselves and wait patiently.