Can Elden Ring be Game Shared?

ByJames Dorn Last Update on

As an avid Elden Ring player myself, one of the top questions I‘ve seen pop up among the community is whether or not you can share access to the game digitally with friends. The ability for more than one person to enjoy this top-rated title for the price of one is incredibly appealing!

The answer isn‘t so straightforward though, as sharing capabilities differ across platforms. With some specific limitations in place, yes – you can game share Elden Ring on consoles and potentially even PC.

Before getting friends or family members hyped at the prospect of tackling the Lands Between together, you need the full details. In this guide, I‘ll break down exactly how sharing works on PlayStation, Xbox, Steam and limitations you need to know about before diving in the deep end!

The Upsides of Sharing Games

For starters, why even consider game sharing? Well, the incentives are pretty substantial:

  • Save money – Access premium games without everyone paying full price
  • Bond with friends – Share new gaming experiences together
  • Access more games – Try out titles others have bought

Based on a 2022 survey from price comparison site SimpleTexting, over 67 million gamers actively share access to games. With the average price of video games now $60-$70, that‘s an incredible amount of savings generated collectively!

Now before attempting to share Elden Ring just because your buddy says its amazing, let‘s quickly cover what this expansive action-RPG from FromSoftware has to offer:

  • Massive seamless open world with 160+ hours of content
  • Dark Souls-inspired challenging combat and imposing boss fights
  • Deep weapon customization and character build options
  • Cooperative and competitive multiplayer elements
  • Next-gen visuals and performance for immersive gameplay

Selling over 17.5 million copies already, it‘s no question Elden Ring has cemented itself as a must-play title since launching in February 2022.

So how can you get in on the action without paying full price? Let‘s cover how sharing works across PlayStation, Xbox and Steam.

Sharing Elden Ring on PlayStation 4 and PS5

Sony allows game sharing between PlayStation consoles using a simple but limited method.

By activating another PS4 or PS5 as your Primary Console, you grant users of that device access to your entire digital library of games and PlayStation Plus benefits.

You can have one Primary registered at any time:

  • Other users can play your games from their own accounts
  • Does NOT share wallet funds or trophy data
  • Console must periodically connect online

Follow these steps to share your Elden Ring copy from your PlayStation console or account:

  1. Activate your friend or family member‘s PlayStation device as your Primary Console under Settings > Account Management
  2. Have them download Elden Ring through the PlayStation Store using their own account
  3. Launch and enjoy! No need to sign in under your account

Now while this method of sharing is great in its simplicity, there ARE a few catches to mention:

  • Can only share with one other console at any time
  • Internet connection required for license verification
  • Shared console claims downloads and purchases

If not working as expected, you may need to review error codes or restore licenses under account management. But overall this gets a friend early access to Elden Ring without buying a second copy out of pocket!

Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One Game Sharing

Microsoft‘s game sharing implementation is perhaps the most flexible out there, with a feature named Home Xbox paving the way to simultaneous usage across households.

By assigning another Xbox as your Home Console, up to four people gain instant access to all your owned games and Xbox Live Gold benefits.

The key advantages Xbox game sharing brings include:

  • Share with up to four people simultaneously
  • Xbox Live Gold shared on Home Console as well
  • Owners can STILL access games while Home Xbox plays

Setting this up takes seconds by:

  1. On YOUR Xbox console, navigating to Settings > General > Personalization
  2. Select My Home Xbox and choose to make this another console‘s home
  3. Friends/family sign-in and access shared games on set Home Xbox

With Elden Ring played by over 12 million gamers on Xbox alone, the value of opening up access speaks for itself!

Do note onlylasting console connections count toward a Home Xbox swap. Attempts to rapid switch will be blocked by Microsoft.

Can Steam Family Sharing Help?

Valve‘s Steam gaming marketplace on PC offers the deepest catalog of titles geared toward custom hardware and modifications. And while a Family Library Sharing option exists, it comes with more limitations.

Namely:

  • Games are shareable only with accounts in the same geographic region
  • Shared libraries cannot be accessed simultaneously
  • Streaming may be restricted based on publisher rules

This means that unfortunately, Elden Ring is NOT eligible for Steam‘s Family Library Sharing feature in all cases.

Being region-locked specifically, you would need to be in the same country as the account holder to play. Contrast this to Xbox which has no borders or barriers to use limitations!

While game sharing provides some excellent opportunities for saving money and playing together with friends, what about crossing between PlayStation, Xbox and PC?

Elden Ring is Not Cross-Platform

One common assumption is that purchasing Elden Ring on a platform like PlayStation would also grant access on PC. But that is NOT the case:

  • No cross-progression – Saves do not transfer between platforms
  • No cross-generational play – Cannot play on Xbox One vs Xbox Series for example
  • Each platform‘s ecosystem stays completely independent

This means starting fresh if moving from PC to PlayStation. Definitely an important consideration before attempting to jump platforms and expecting seamless continuity!

Game sharing serves a great means for more people to access Elden Ring at reduced costs and promotes enjoying the game together. Hopefully these tips help provide clarity around how console sharing works and where limitations exist! Voyaging the Lands Between is better with friends.

Let me know if you have any other questions about game sharing Elden Ring – or if you just want to talk tips for tackling Malenia!

James K. Dorn, a passionate gamer deeply immersed in the world of video gaming. My journey in gaming is not just about playing; it's about exploring every facet of the games I love. I am particularly fascinated by the intricate worlds of role-playing games like "The Witcher" series and "Elder Scrolls: Skyrim," where every decision shapes the story.

As a strategy game enthusiast, I spend hours devising tactics in games like "Civilization VI" and "StarCraft II," always eager to share my strategies with fellow gamers. I'm also an ardent follower of the ever-evolving landscape of indie games, finding gems like "Hollow Knight" and "Celeste" that offer unique, compelling experiences.

My content isn't just reviews; it's about deep dives into game mechanics, storytelling, and the art of game design. I love dissecting the narratives of games like "The Last of Us" and discussing the innovative gameplay of titles like "Death Stranding."

Being at the forefront of gaming news, I eagerly anticipate and share insights on upcoming releases like the next big open-world adventure or the latest in the "Final Fantasy" series. My goal is to build a community where we not only play games but also appreciate the artistry and effort behind them. Join me in this gaming journey, where every session is an adventure, and every game is a story waiting to be told.

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