Elden Ring Steam Price History: Tracking Value, Sales, and Smart Buying Strategies
Before you rush to buy Elden Ring on Steam — pause. Knowing its price history could save you real money and elevate your gaming experience.
When Elden Ring launched in February 2022, it didn’t just break sales records — it redefined player expectations for open-world RPGs. Developed by FromSoftware and co-created with George R.R. Martin, the game instantly became a cultural phenomenon. But beyond its haunting landscapes and brutal boss battles lies a practical question every savvy gamer asks: What’s the best time to buy Elden Ring on Steam? Understanding its Elden Ring Steam price history isn’t just trivia — it’s a roadmap to smart spending.
Why Price History Matters for Elden Ring Buyers
Steam isn’t a static marketplace. Prices fluctuate based on seasonality, regional promotions, bundle deals, and publisher strategy. For a premium AAA title like Elden Ring — which launched at $59.99 USD — tracking its price evolution on Steam reveals patterns that can help you snag it at a discount without waiting endlessly.
Since its release, Elden Ring has rarely dropped below 30% off during major sales — but when it does, it’s worth the wait. Players who bought during the first Summer Sale in June 2022 saved $18. That’s a full DLC’s worth of value, preserved for future purchases.
The Launch Era: Full Price and High Demand
At launch, Elden Ring was priced at $59.99 / £54.99 / €69.99 across most Steam regions. No discounts. No bundles. Just pure, uncut anticipation. Pre-orders were strong, and first-week sales topped 13.4 million copies globally. Steam’s concurrent player count peaked at over 950,000 — a staggering number for a single-player focused title.
This was the premium era. Publishers rarely discount brand-new blockbusters, especially when hype is this high. Waiting was the only option for budget-conscious gamers — and wait they did.
First Major Discount: Summer Sale 2022
The first significant price drop came during Steam’s Summer Sale in June 2022 — just four months after launch. Elden Ring received a 30% discount, bringing it down to $41.99. This was earlier than many expected. Most AAA games hold their full price for 6–12 months. Elden Ring’s early discount signaled Bandai Namco’s confidence in sustained long-term sales — and perhaps a nudge to capture the “I’ll wait for a sale” crowd.
Case in point: Reddit threads from June 2022 show users celebrating the “unexpected” discount. One user wrote, “Didn’t think I’d see a 30% off so soon. Bought it instantly.” This early sale triggered a 78% spike in Steam concurrent players that week — proof that price cuts drive adoption, even for games already topping charts.
Holiday Sales and the 40% Milestone
By December 2022, during the Winter Sale, Elden Ring dropped to 40% off — $35.99. This became the new benchmark. Every major Steam sale since — Lunar New Year, Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter — has matched or hovered around this discount tier.
Notably, there’s been no 50% or higher discount on the base game as of mid-2024. Why? Simple: demand remains high. Elden Ring continues to sell steadily, bolstered by word-of-mouth, YouTube content, and the looming shadow of its DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree. Bandai Namco knows they don’t need to slash prices to move units.
Regional Pricing and Currency Fluctuations
Steam’s regional pricing adds another layer to Elden Ring’s price history. In Argentina and Turkey, for example, the game launched at significantly lower base prices due to local purchasing power. During sales, these regions sometimes see steeper percentage discounts — but Valve has since cracked down on cross-regional gifting to prevent abuse.
Example: In early 2023, a Brazilian gamer reported buying Elden Ring for R
Bundles, Editions, and the “Deluxe” Trap
Steam occasionally lists the Elden Ring Deluxe Edition — which includes the base game and the official soundtrack. Priced at
Smart move: Wait for a 40% off base game sale (
The DLC Effect: Shadow of the Erdtree and Future Pricing
Released in June 2024, Shadow of the Erdtree is Elden Ring’s first and only major expansion. Priced at $39.99, it