Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsElden Ring passed 12 million units sold worldwide in its first three weeks, but that figure is a dated milestone—not its lifetime total. Bandai Namco Entertainment and FromSoftware said on March 16, 2022 that sales were above 12 million as of March 14, including more than one million in Japan. The count combined packaged-game distribution with downloadable-version sales.
What the 12 million figure counts
The joint announcement from Bandai Namco Entertainment and FromSoftware gave a worldwide total of more than 12 million units, current through March 14, 2022. It combined package-version distribution figures and downloadable-version sales; it was not a count of digital sales alone. The announcement also reported more than one million units sold in Japan. Bandai Namco and FromSoftware’s announcement was dated March 16.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Elden Ring (PS5) (European Version) | $34.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Elden Ring, 1 PS5-Blu-ray Disc | $74.03 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Demon's Souls - PlayStation 5 | $39.45 | Buy on Amazon |
Elden Ring launched on February 25, 2022, so the reported milestone came less than three weeks after release. That timing shows the scale of the game’s early commercial reach, but it does not establish a “fastest-selling game ever” record: the announcement does not compare it with other games using a consistent industry-wide method. The release announcement lists February 25 as the launch date.
How the later official milestones compare
| Reported milestone | Time reference | What the source says |
|---|---|---|
| More than 12 million units worldwide | Current as of March 14, 2022; announced March 16, 2022 | Packaged distribution plus downloadable sales; more than one million in Japan. Bandai Namco Entertainment and FromSoftware |
| More than 13.4 million units worldwide | As of March 31, 2022 | A later close-in checkpoint recorded in Bandai Namco Holdings’ company history. |
| More than 20 million units worldwide | Announced February 22, 2023 | Publisher announcement says the figure derived from package distribution and downloadable versions, including Steam. Bandai Namco Entertainment and FromSoftware |
| More than 23 million units shipped worldwide | Cutoff date not stated in the cited page excerpt | A later publisher product-history figure; it says “shipped,” not “sold.” Bandai Namco’s product page |
The timeline makes the main point clear: 12 million was an early snapshot. Bandai Namco later recorded more than 13.4 million by the end of March 2022 and announced more than 20 million in February 2023. The later product-page figure of more than 23 million uses “shipped” and has no precise cutoff in the cited excerpt, so it should not be used to calculate an exact sales rate.
#1 Best Overall
- Collaborating with George R.R. Martin to create the ELDEN RING mythos has been a genuinely delightful experience and a source of wonderful inspiration. The team is working hard to ensure that the world of ELDEN RING will be a fascinating place for players to explore, filled with peril and wonder from its furthest reaches to its lowest depths. This is a FromSoftware title through and through, rich in fantasy and RPG action. We sincerely hope you look forward to it.
- Building the world of ELDEN RING with Miyazaki-san and his team was a treat! The graphics, mythos, and action-RPG gameplay will deliver an unforgettable experience. I can’t wait for people to see what ELDEN RING has in store for them.” Said George R.R. Martin.
Keep the expansion separate from the base-game total
Bandai Namco Holdings reported that Shadow of the Erdtree sold five million copies globally in its first three days in 2024. That is a figure for the downloadable expansion, not additional base-game sales, and should not be added to the base game’s reported unit total. Bandai Namco Holdings’ announcement identifies the expansion and its three-day milestone.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the numbers do—and do not—show
These publisher-reported milestones document Elden Ring’s own sales history. They are not a like-for-like comparison with every other game: the figures have different cutoff dates and, in the later product-page example, different metric wording. A defensible ranking would require comparable figures measured over the same period, for the same geographic scope, and on the same basis. The cited announcements do not provide that industry-wide comparison.
Rank #3
- Discover where the journey began - Experience the original brutal challenge, completely remade from the ground up. All presented in stunning visual quality with enhanced performance, this is the world of Boletaria as you have never seen it before.
- Become the Slayer of Demons - Venture to the northern kingdom of Boletaria – a once prosperous land of knights, now beset with unspeakable creatures and ravenous demons. Meet strange characters, unhinged and twisted by the world around them, and unravel the unsettling story of Demon’s Souls.
- Face the world’s greatest warriors in ferocious PVP combat - With online invasions adding to the danger of your quest. Or play cooperatively by summoning allies to aid in your fight against the demons. Active PS Plus subscription required for online multiplayer.
Bandai Namco and FromSoftware describe Elden Ring as an action RPG co-developed by FromSoftware and Bandai Namco Entertainment. The launch announcement lists PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Steam/PC. It identifies FromSoftware as publisher in Japan and Bandai Namco Entertainment as publisher in other regions. The release announcement gives those platform and publishing details.
Quick Recap
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