Elden Ring's unprecedented 12 million sales in less than two months come down to one thing: Its open-world allure.

According to many, Elden Ring's success turns out to be surprisingly simple.

With 12 million copies sold in just 2 months since its release, Elden Ring stands as a top contender for The Game Award 2022's best game title. Some argue it should win outright. This alone speaks volumes about its current value and appeal.

There are numerous reasons behind Elden Ring's current success. Recent surveys by foreign media outlets, such as gamesindustry.biz, reveal that its fame, record-breaking sales, and large player base largely stem from being an open-world game.

Reportedly, 80% of surveyed players cite Elden Ring's open-world label as the primary reason for their purchase. After a period dominated by MOBAs and Battle Royales, open-world games are regaining popularity with recent hits like Red Dead Redemption 2, Genshin Impact, and Elden Ring.

Furthermore, Elden Ring's quality and media coverage play a crucial role. 67% of players admit to playing because of the game's positive reviews, while 28% join due to friends' recommendations. Interestingly, the survey also reveals why some gamers opt out of playing Elden Ring, despite its AAA status.

Of those surveyed, a staggering 32% of respondents cited lack of time as the primary reason for not playing Elden Ring. 22% abandoned the game upon learning of its high difficulty level. The rest provided various reasons such as disliking the gameplay, finding the graphics dull, the high price point, or feeling unsuited to the Souls genre.