Voters Name "Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree" as the Most Wanted Game

The annual "Most Anticipated Game" survey on the ResetEra forum has concluded, and the results are anything but close. With over 4,200 participants casting their votes, *Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree* swept the poll with an astonishing 32% of the total votes, leaving second place trailing by a wide margin. The expansion, which has been teased for over a year, promises to deliver a new land, dozens of fresh weapons, intricate boss fights, and lore that deepens the already cryptic world of the Lands Between. Fans cited the original game's replayability and the reassurance of a known developer pedigree as key reasons for their excitement. Many noted that despite the base game's age, the upcoming DLC feels like a major release rather than simple post-launch support. The overwhelming win also underscores a broader desire: players are hungry for meaningful, dense content that respects their time and intellect. One forum thread summed up the sentiment: "If any developer understands the art of immersive challenge, it's FromSoftware, and this expansion is the only thing that could pull me away from my backlog." No other title in the poll came close to matching the sheer enthusiasm and dedicated fan discussion that surrounded this vote.

Hollow Knight: Silksong Claims a Strong Second in Community Vote

In second place, *Hollow Knight: Silksong* captured roughly 18% of the votes, a remarkable feat for an indie title that has been in development for over six years. The long-awaited sequel to the acclaimed 2017 metroidvania originally announced for a 2020 release, has become a myth of its own, with players half-joking that it belongs in the "vaporware" category. Yet the poll proves that patience has not eroded anticipation. Fans point to Silksong's enhanced movement options, new setting of Pharloom, and the protagonist Hornet's agile combat as features that promise to push the genre forward. The community's respect for Team Cherry, a small studio that refuses to compromise on polish, was a major factor in the high placement. One user wrote, "Every trailer we've seen looks flawless. I know it'll be worth the wait." Silksong's strong showing also suggests that indie and lower-priced titles can compete with massive AAA productions when they deliver a distinctive aesthetic and precise gameplay. Many voters remarked that if not for the formidable FromSoftware expansion, Silksong would have easily taken the top spot.

Why Fans Prioritize Expansions and Sequels Over Brand-New IPs

Looking at the full top ten, one trend stands out: expansions, sequels, and established franchises dominate the list. Beyond *Elden Ring* and *Hollow Knight*, titles like *Final Fantasy VII Rebirth*, *Dragon's Dogma 2*, and *Metroid Prime 4* all ranked high. In contrast, no brand-new intellectual property managed to break into the top five. The reasoning is straightforward. A sequel or expansion carries a proven emotional connection; players already know the world, the characters, and the mechanical feel. That familiarity lowers the risk of purchasing a game that may disappoint. Furthermore, the gaming industry's recent wave of live-service failures and half-baked launches has made audiences more conservative about untested ideas. A dev participant in the poll explained, "With so many broken launches in the last two years, I'd rather invest my $70 in a world I trust than gamble on a shiny but shallow new IP." This preference is not purely about safety; it also reflects a desire for deep, meaningful continuations of stories that already resonate. Sequels allow developers to expand mechanics without spending the first dozen hours introducing basic systems. In an era of rising budgets and inflated marketing, players increasingly value the comfort of a familiar, quality experience over novelty for novelty's sake.

The Poll's Winners Reflect a Tough Year for Live-Service Games

The absence of major live-service games from the upper tiers of the poll is impossible to ignore. While titles like *Destiny 2* and *Warframe* have dedicated communities, neither ranked highly in the "most anticipated" category. Instead, players flocked to games that offer a definitive ending, handcrafted content, and no time-gated events. This voting pattern mirrors a broader industry problem: live-service fatigue. Between constant seasonal battle passes, microtransaction FOMO, and the frequent cancellation of online games, players have grown wary of service-oriented titles. A popular response in the forum read, "I'm tired of games that treat me like a wallet with a timer. I want a complete story, even if it's just 30 hours." The poll's results signal a clear message to publishers: the vast majority of players want quality single-player experiences or at least cooperative games with a clear conclusion. Even when a live-service game is well received, like *Helldivers 2*, it did not top the list because the philosophy of "always evolving" contradicts the crafted polish that voters clearly prize. This could lead to a strategic shift, where studios invest more in limited, substantial releases rather than pursuing endless player retention.