Yes—according to the figures cited in a December 2024 report, ELDEN RING had sold more copies than the Dark Souls series. But that comparison is not a current, like-for-like tally: the two figures have different attribution and date qualifications, and Bandai Namco has since updated ELDEN RING’s sales total without providing a new Dark Souls series total.
What sales figures did the headline compare?
HotHardware’s December 16, 2024 article reported that ELDEN RING had sold 28.6 million copies as of September 2024. It compared that with 27 million copies for the Dark Souls series, a figure the article attributed to industry analyst Daniel Ahmad.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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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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Elden Ring: Nightreign - Seekers Edition /PS5 | $43.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Bandai Namco Entertainment Elden Ring (PS5) | $40.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Elden Ring - PlayStation 5 | $39.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| Figure | What it counts | Date and attribution |
|---|---|---|
| 28.6 million | Copies of ELDEN RING | As of September 2024, as reported by HotHardware |
| 27 million | Copies across the Dark Souls series | Reported by HotHardware in 2024 and attributed to analyst Daniel Ahmad; the article does not establish a verified date for the figure or publisher confirmation |
On those reported numbers, ELDEN RING was ahead. The metric is copies sold—not revenue, player count, active users, or review scores. The HotHardware report is the source for the comparison and its qualifications.
What changed after that comparison?
In an August 28, 2026 announcement, Bandai Namco Entertainment America said the original ELDEN RING had sold more than 30 million units. That is a later publisher-reported figure for the game. It does not update the Dark Souls number, so it cannot establish the franchise’s current lead over the series.
#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.
The distinction matters: a current total for one game is not a current comparison when the other side is an older, undated series figure. The Bandai Namco announcement reports the later ELDEN RING total, but does not provide a new aggregate for Dark Souls.
Why the comparison is not perfectly symmetrical
- One game versus a series: ELDEN RING is a single action RPG, while Dark Souls refers to three principal games. Bandai Namco’s official Dark Souls Trilogy page lists the three titles and included downloadable content, but gives no current series-wide sales total.
- Different sources: Bandai Namco supplied the 2026 ELDEN RING figure. The 27 million Dark Souls figure is attributed to Ahmad through HotHardware’s report; it is not established here as an official publisher figure.
- Different time certainty: the 28.6 million ELDEN RING figure is dated to September 2024. The reviewed report does not establish the date of the 27 million Dark Souls figure.
What the headline can—and cannot—claim
The headline’s “key metric” is reported unit sales, and its 2024 comparison supports saying that ELDEN RING had passed the reported Dark Souls series total at that point. The later publisher update strengthens the evidence that ELDEN RING has sold more than 30 million units, but it does not answer whether the franchise still leads by a particular margin today. That would require a current, comparable Dark Souls aggregate, which the cited official trilogy page does not state.
Rank #3
- Elden Ring: Nightreign - Seekers Edition /PS5
For platform context, Bandai Namco’s original release announcement listed PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC via Steam. The publisher’s current ELDEN RING page also describes the game and editions, including Shadow of the Erdtree, and lists PlayStation, Xbox, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2 support.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- ELDEN RING, developed by FromSoftware Inc. and produced by BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Inc., is a fantasy action-RPG and FromSoftware's largest game to date, set within a world full of mystery and peril
- Journey through the Lands Between, a new fantasy world created by Hidetaka Miyazaki, creator of the influential DARK SOULS video game series, and George R. R. Martin, author of The New York Times best-selling fantasy series, A Song of Ice and Fire
- Traverse the breathtaking world on foot or on horseback, alone or online with other players, and fully immerse yourself in the grassy plains, suffocating swamps, spiraling mountains, and foreboding castles
- Create your character in FromSoftware’s refi ned action-RPG and defi ne your playstyle by experimenting with a wide variety of weapons, magical abilities, and skills found throughout the world
- Charge into battle, pick off enemies one-by-one using stealth, or even call upon allies for aid - many options are at your disposal as you decide how to approach exploration and combat
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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