Elden Ring is finally out now, and it's been verified to work well on Steam Deck – which is also released today.

Valve has already confirmed that Elden Ring, the wildly popular new release from FromSoftware, is “fully functional” on the company’s handheld gaming device.

“Valve’s testing indicates that Elden Ring is Verified on Steam Deck,” reads the compatibility checker. This game is fully functional on Steam Deck and works great with built-in controls and display.”

What exactly does this mean? Well, games that are given the “verified” status must satisfy four different criteria:

• Input: The game has full controller support, uses appropriate controller input icons, and automatically brings up the on-screen keyboard when needed.
• Display: The game supports the default Steam Deck resolution (1280x800 or 1280x720), has good default settings, and in-game text is legible.
• Seamlessness: The game doesn’t display any compatibility warnings, and if there’s a launcher it’s navigable with a controller.
• System Support: If running through Proton (which allows Windows software to run on Linux systems) the game and its middleware are supported. This includes anti-cheat support.

Essentially, this means that Elden Ring should be fully playable on the Steam Deck without any major issues caused by the system (although the PC version in general is suffering from some performance complaints, which could rear their head).

Valve’s Steam Deck was officially released today, alongside Elden Ring, and offers gamers more or less the only chance to play the punishing action RPG on the go, since the game hasn't launched on Nintendo Switch.

IGN’s own 10/10 Elden Ring review calls it “FromSoftware’s largest and most ambitious game yet.”

“Even after 87 hours of blood, sweat, and tears that included some of the most challenging fights I’ve ever fought, and innumerable surprises, there are still bosses that I left on the table, secrets that I’ve yet to uncover.”

Check out our Elden Ring wiki for guides and walkthroughs to help you take your first steps through the Lands Beyond.

Ryan Leston is an entertainment journalist and film critic for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter.

Bandai Namco has apologized for a number of performance issues affecting Elden Ring players, including numerous complaints of frame rate issues on PC.

In a post on its website, the publisher acknowledged that the game is "currently experiencing some issues that are preventing the game from playing properly under some conditions," and apologized while asking for patience.

By far the biggest compaint around the game's current state is about frame rate and stuttering issues on PC. The game is currently seeing "Mixed" reviews on Steam, with many complaints focused on the above issues. That issue has been exacerbated by the fact that console versions received a patch to alleviate frame rate problems (among other things) on launch day, with no such update for PC

"Struggling to maintain 60FPS/1080p on a 3080," wrote Steam player shmoople, summing up many similar messages "massive stuttering and drops to the mid 20s, crashed 4 times within 2 hours of game time, 60 FPS cap, and no ultrawide support."

Bandai Namco acknowledged the problems, saying that it would be "constantly working to improve the game so that it can be played comfortably on various PC environments and platforms." The publisher also suggested that updating graphics card drivers could help alleviate the issues.

On the Elden Ring Reddit, some users are suggesting their own temporary fixes, from changing your PC's system graphics settings to altering device settings, with many saying these methods have helped performance.

The notes cover a three other key areas too, comprising issues with mouse sensitivity, Easy Anti-Cheat, and games not saving properly on PS5. You can read the full notes below:

Elden Ring Performance Issues Statement

• Regarding the problem of the mouse being too sensitive in the PC version
  • We will be sending out a patch for this issue in the near future.
• Regarding the problem of Easy Anti-Cheat failing to launch when the Steam account name is set to 2-byte characters.
  • We are aware of the cause of this issue and will be providing a patch in the near future.
• Regarding the phenomenon of frame rate and other performance-related issues during gameplayWe will be constantly working to improve the game so that it can be played comfortably on various PC environments and platforms.
  • For the PC version, updating your graphics card drivers to the latest version may significantly improve performance.
• About the phenomenon of game data that does not save correctly in the PlayStation 5 version
  • If the PS5 console is unexpectedly turned off while playing a game or in rest mode, saved data may not be saved correctly.
  • We are aware of the cause of this issue and are working on a patch to correct it, but until the patch is released, please save your game manually by exiting the game regularly.
  • Game data will be saved correctly if you quit the game by opening the system menu using the OPTION button and selecting "Quit Game.”

Over on console, things are a different story – our performance review of new-gen versions found issues with all formats, but concluded that the PS5 version is currently the most stable console version.

Aside from performance, Elden Ring's reception is a different story. We awarded it a full 10/10, saying it brings "relentlessly challenging combat to an incredible open world that gives us the freedom to choose our own path." It's currently one of the best-reviewed games in modern history.

Our Elden Ring guide will be growing over time — make sure you give it a look if you need help through The Lands Between.

Joe Skrebels is IGN's Executive Editor of News. Follow him on Twitter. Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.

Bandai Namco has apologized for a number of performance issues affecting Elden Ring players, including numerous complaints of frame rate issues on PC.

In a post on its website, the publisher acknowledged that the game is "currently experiencing some issues that are preventing the game from playing properly under some conditions," and apologized while asking for patience.

By far the biggest compaint around the game's current state is about frame rate and stuttering issues on PC. The game is currently seeing "Mixed" reviews on Steam, with many complaints focused on the above issues. That issue has been exacerbated by the fact that console versions received a patch to alleviate frame rate problems (among other things) on launch day, with no such update for PC

"Struggling to maintain 60FPS/1080p on a 3080," wrote Steam player shmoople, summing up many similar messages "massive stuttering and drops to the mid 20s, crashed 4 times within 2 hours of game time, 60 FPS cap, and no ultrawide support."

Bandai Namco acknowledged the problems, saying that it would be "constantly working to improve the game so that it can be played comfortably on various PC environments and platforms." The publisher also suggested that updating graphics card drivers could help alleviate the issues.

On the Elden Ring Reddit, some users are suggesting their own temporary fixes, from changing your PC's system graphics settings to altering device settings, with many saying these methods have helped performance.

The notes cover a three other key areas too, comprising issues with mouse sensitivity, Easy Anti-Cheat, and games not saving properly on PS5. You can read the full notes below:

Elden Ring Performance Issues Statement

• Regarding the problem of the mouse being too sensitive in the PC version
  • We will be sending out a patch for this issue in the near future.
• Regarding the problem of Easy Anti-Cheat failing to launch when the Steam account name is set to 2-byte characters.
  • We are aware of the cause of this issue and will be providing a patch in the near future.
• Regarding the phenomenon of frame rate and other performance-related issues during gameplayWe will be constantly working to improve the game so that it can be played comfortably on various PC environments and platforms.
  • For the PC version, updating your graphics card drivers to the latest version may significantly improve performance.
• About the phenomenon of game data that does not save correctly in the PlayStation 5 version
  • If the PS5 console is unexpectedly turned off while playing a game or in rest mode, saved data may not be saved correctly.
  • We are aware of the cause of this issue and are working on a patch to correct it, but until the patch is released, please save your game manually by exiting the game regularly.
  • Game data will be saved correctly if you quit the game by opening the system menu using the OPTION button and selecting "Quit Game.”

Over on console, things are a different story – our performance review of new-gen versions found issues with all formats, but concluded that the PS5 version is currently the most stable console version.

Aside from performance, Elden Ring's reception is a different story. We awarded it a full 10/10, saying it brings "relentlessly challenging combat to an incredible open world that gives us the freedom to choose our own path." It's currently one of the best-reviewed games in modern history.

Our Elden Ring guide will be growing over time — make sure you give it a look if you need help through The Lands Between.

Joe Skrebels is IGN's Executive Editor of News. Follow him on Twitter. Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.

Warning: this article contains mild spoilers for Elden Ring.

In the lead up to Elden Ring’s launch, there’s been one breakout character who has been embraced by the community: Pot Boy. Later called Pot Friend by Bandai Namco, this sentient ceramic has captured the hearts of thousands.

But we’ve got bad news about the pot boys. They’re definitely not all friends.

The most famous of the pot boys is Alexander. He’s the one you may have seen in gameplay clips who is stuck in the ground in need of aid. Don’t worry about this big lad; he’s a friend, and will even clue you in on an important location.

But not every one of his kin is so friendly. Within the walls of some of Elden Ring’s dungeons, you’ll come across both small and large versions of these pot boys. Officially known as Living Jars, the large versions can be particularly aggressive, and use a variety of rolling and slamming attacks to pulverize your health bar. Your only options in these instances are to either run away or - more likely - shatter that ceramic exterior so the jar’s red liquid insides can splatter all over the floor and walls.

We're sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

For more, take a look at our Elden Ring review (which has contributed to it being one of the best reviewed games in modern history), as well as the news that a recurring Souls joke is back for Elden Ring. And if you want to make your own Pot Friend, check out our latest episode of Kitbash Creatures.

Matt Purslow is IGN's UK News and Entertainment Writer.

Warning: this article contains mild spoilers for Elden Ring.

In the lead up to Elden Ring’s launch, there’s been one breakout character who has been embraced by the community: Pot Boy. Later called Pot Friend by Bandai Namco, this sentient ceramic has captured the hearts of thousands.

But we’ve got bad news about the pot boys. They’re definitely not all friends.

The most famous of the pot boys is Alexander. He’s the one you may have seen in gameplay clips who is stuck in the ground in need of aid. Don’t worry about this big lad; he’s a friend, and will even clue you in on an important location.

But not every one of his kin is so friendly. Within the walls of some of Elden Ring’s dungeons, you’ll come across both small and large versions of these pot boys. Officially known as Living Jars, the large versions can be particularly aggressive, and use a variety of rolling and slamming attacks to pulverize your health bar. Your only options in these instances are to either run away or - more likely - shatter that ceramic exterior so the jar’s red liquid insides can splatter all over the floor and walls.

We're sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

For more, take a look at our Elden Ring review (which has contributed to it being one of the best reviewed games in modern history), as well as the news that a recurring Souls joke is back for Elden Ring. And if you want to make your own Pot Friend, check out our latest episode of Kitbash Creatures.

Matt Purslow is IGN's UK News and Entertainment Writer.

Silent Hill creator Keiichiro Toyama has said that he'd like to someday return to psychological horror and create another game like his spooky classic.

Talking as part of a Q&A session about his new studio, Bokeh Game Studio, Toyama explained that he does hope to one day create something similar to Silent Hill, but that right now he has the ability to make something more action-packed, and so that's what he wants to chase with Bokeh's first game, Slitterhead.

"I want someday to do something with some classic psychological horror themes like I did with Silent Hill," he said. "However, I’d rather do that when working with really limited resources, such as budget or having to focus on one individual. Right now, we have staff with the ability to work on action. I want to leverage their skills to go in another direction."

"Still, I also want to make something more personal someday," he concluded.

Slitterhead features action and combat sequences, but also involves aspects of more cerebral horror. "I wanted a game that could be enjoyed for its action, yet whose concept doesn’t solely revolve around killing enemies," Toyama explained. "It conflicts with the mind, making the players reluctant to enter certain fights. I want to achieve both action and drama with this game."

So while Slitterhead won't be like Silent Hill, there's still more to the game than just fighting human-eating monsters. Bokeh aims to use horror to "deepen the sense of immersion for the player" and won't just focus on gore.

Toyama has said previously that he believes remaking Silent Hill would be a more difficult task than the recent Resident Evil remakes. Perhaps, then, we can hold out hope for a spiritual sequel from him instead.

Matt Purslow is IGN's UK News and Entertainment Writer.

Silent Hill creator Keiichiro Toyama has said that he'd like to someday return to psychological horror and create another game like his spooky classic.

Talking as part of a Q&A session about his new studio, Bokeh Game Studio, Toyama explained that he does hope to one day create something similar to Silent Hill, but that right now he has the ability to make something more action-packed, and so that's what he wants to chase with Bokeh's first game, Slitterhead.

"I want someday to do something with some classic psychological horror themes like I did with Silent Hill," he said. "However, I’d rather do that when working with really limited resources, such as budget or having to focus on one individual. Right now, we have staff with the ability to work on action. I want to leverage their skills to go in another direction."

"Still, I also want to make something more personal someday," he concluded.

Slitterhead features action and combat sequences, but also involves aspects of more cerebral horror. "I wanted a game that could be enjoyed for its action, yet whose concept doesn’t solely revolve around killing enemies," Toyama explained. "It conflicts with the mind, making the players reluctant to enter certain fights. I want to achieve both action and drama with this game."

So while Slitterhead won't be like Silent Hill, there's still more to the game than just fighting human-eating monsters. Bokeh aims to use horror to "deepen the sense of immersion for the player" and won't just focus on gore.

Toyama has said previously that he believes remaking Silent Hill would be a more difficult task than the recent Resident Evil remakes. Perhaps, then, we can hold out hope for a spiritual sequel from him instead.

Matt Purslow is IGN's UK News and Entertainment Writer.

Quentin Tarantino is reportedly in early talks to direct some episodes of Justified: City Primeval, the FX limited series starring Timothy Olyphant as US Marshal Raylan Givens.

According to Deadline, Tarantino might be taking a seat in the director's chair for "one or two episodes" of the upcoming Justified miniseries, which was officially given the green light at the beginning of the year. The project would reunite the acclaimed filmmaker with series lead Timothy Olyphant, who starred in Tarantino's 2019 film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.

As the report notes, Tarantino is also a devoted fan of Elmore Leonard, the late writer who penned the Fire in the Hole novella that eventually became the source material of FX's Justified series. The director has optioned several of Leonard's titles throughout his career and even adapted the author's Rum Punch novel into the 1997 film Jackie Brown.

FX's Justified spinoff will be based on another of Leonard's works, the 1980 novel City Primeval: High Noon in Detroit, though in this case, Olyphant's character will be stepping into the central role. He will cross paths with Clement Mansell, "a violent, sociopathic desperado who's already slipped through the fingers of Detroit's finest once and aims to do so again."

Per the show's logline, "Mansell's lawyer, formidable Motor City native Carolyn Wilder, has every intention of representing her client, even as she finds herself caught in between cop and criminal, with her own game afoot as well. These three characters set out on a collision course in classic Elmore Leonard fashion, to see who makes it out of the City Primeval alive."

The original Justified series ran from 2010 to 2015 and featured Olyphant in every episode. The creator of Justified, Graham Yost, is on board to executive produce City Primeval, with Dave Andron and Michael Dinner as co-showrunners. Dinner will also serve as lead director on the new limited series, which will pick up eight years after Givens left Kentucky.

Adele Ankers-Range is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow her on Twitter.

Quentin Tarantino is reportedly in early talks to direct some episodes of Justified: City Primeval, the FX limited series starring Timothy Olyphant as US Marshal Raylan Givens.

According to Deadline, Tarantino might be taking a seat in the director's chair for "one or two episodes" of the upcoming Justified miniseries, which was officially given the green light at the beginning of the year. The project would reunite the acclaimed filmmaker with series lead Timothy Olyphant, who starred in Tarantino's 2019 film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.

As the report notes, Tarantino is also a devoted fan of Elmore Leonard, the late writer who penned the Fire in the Hole novella that eventually became the source material of FX's Justified series. The director has optioned several of Leonard's titles throughout his career and even adapted the author's Rum Punch novel into the 1997 film Jackie Brown.

FX's Justified spinoff will be based on another of Leonard's works, the 1980 novel City Primeval: High Noon in Detroit, though in this case, Olyphant's character will be stepping into the central role. He will cross paths with Clement Mansell, "a violent, sociopathic desperado who's already slipped through the fingers of Detroit's finest once and aims to do so again."

Per the show's logline, "Mansell's lawyer, formidable Motor City native Carolyn Wilder, has every intention of representing her client, even as she finds herself caught in between cop and criminal, with her own game afoot as well. These three characters set out on a collision course in classic Elmore Leonard fashion, to see who makes it out of the City Primeval alive."

The original Justified series ran from 2010 to 2015 and featured Olyphant in every episode. The creator of Justified, Graham Yost, is on board to executive produce City Primeval, with Dave Andron and Michael Dinner as co-showrunners. Dinner will also serve as lead director on the new limited series, which will pick up eight years after Givens left Kentucky.

Adele Ankers-Range is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow her on Twitter.

Warning: this article contains spoilers for Elden Ring’s first location.

Elden Ring has continued FromSoftware’s long running in-joke by once again including a character that Souls fans love to hate.

In Elden Ring’s opening location of Limgrave players can find Patches, the bald trickster who has constantly pulled pranks on players throughout the Soulsborne series of games.

This time around, Patches can be found in the Murkwater Cave. Should you wish to find him you’ll want to follow the river north and keep your eye out for a dungeon entrance. Once again he can be a valuable ally thanks to his collection of wares on sale (you might want to inspect his inventory before heading into Stormveil Castle) but he’ll prove a nuisance before offering you any help, naturally.

This is the sixth incarnation of Patches. He first appeared in Demon’s Souls as Patches the Hyena, and was later seen in Dark Souls (as Trusty Patches), Bloodborne (as Patches the Spider), and Dark Souls 3 and its Ringed City DLC (as Unbreakable Patches). Dark Souls 2 also features a Patches-style character, but was known as Mild-Mannered Pate.

For more, take a look at our Elden Ring review (which has contributed to it being one of the best reviewed games in modern history), as well as our stories on how a small change has made playing in co-op easier, and how a tutorial dungeon helps out new players.

Matt Purslow is IGN's UK News and Entertainment Writer.