An Elden Ring player's lawsuit against Bandai Namco and FromSoftware alleges deceptive advertising, claiming hidden game content is obscured by the game's difficulty. Let's examine this unusual legal action.

A "Skill Issue" Lawsuit?

A 4chan user, Nora Kisaragi, filed a small claims court lawsuit, alleging Elden Ring (and other FromSoftware titles) contain a "hidden game" intentionally concealed through challenging gameplay. This claim contradicts the widely accepted notion that FromSoftware games are known for their difficult, yet fair, design. The recent Elden Ring DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree, only reinforces this reputation.

Kisaragi argues that the game's difficulty masks undisclosed content, citing datamined material as evidence. Unlike others who believe this data represents cut content, Kisaragi insists it's deliberately hidden. The plaintiff lacks concrete evidence, relying on perceived "hints" from developers, such as references in Sekiro's art book and statements by FromSoftware President Hidetaka Miyazaki. The core argument boils down to: "Consumers paid for inaccessible content without knowledge of its existence."

The absurdity of the claim is highlighted by the fact that extensive datamining would likely have uncovered such a "hidden game" long ago. The presence of leftover data in game files is common industry practice, often due to development constraints, not intentional concealment.

Legal Viability?

Filed in Massachusetts, the lawsuit falls under small claims court, requiring no attorney. While anyone over 18 can sue, the case's validity rests on the judge's assessment. Kisaragi could attempt to use the state's Consumer Protection Law, which prohibits "unfair or deceptive practices," arguing the developers withheld information. However, proving this deception and resulting consumer harm will be extremely difficult, requiring substantial evidence of a "hidden dimension." Without this, dismissal is highly probable. Even if successful, damages in small claims court are limited.

Despite the long odds, Kisaragi's motivation appears less about financial compensation and more about forcing public acknowledgement of their belief in a hidden game dimension.

The lawsuit's outcome remains uncertain, but it highlights the unusual lengths some players will go to interpret game design and developer statements.