How To Change Elden Rings Game Version On Steam

How to Change Elden Ring’s Game Version on Steam

Have you ever wanted to play Elden Ring with a different set of features or maybe revisit an older build? Perhaps you’ve heard about specific glitches or strategies that only work on a previous version of the game. Whatever your reason, changing your Elden Ring game version on Steam is a process that, while not officially supported, is achievable with a bit of know-how. This guide will walk you through the steps, explain why you might want to do this, and cover everything you need to know to get it done safely.

Why Change Your Elden Ring Game Version?

Before we get into the “how,” let’s explore the “why.” There are a few common reasons why players might want to revert to an older version of Elden Ring:

Experimenting with Patches

FromSoftware often releases patches that tweak gameplay, fix bugs, and sometimes even change the mechanics of certain weapons or spells. Some players prefer the way the game played before a specific update, and rolling back allows them to experience it again. This is especially true for dedicated players who are deeply invested in specific character builds.

Accessing Specific Glitches or Exploits

Certain game breaking or otherwise advantageous glitches and exploits may have been fixed in later versions of the game. Players keen on using them for speedruns, unique challenges, or just to have some fun might want to access those older versions where these exploits are still active. It’s important to note that this can sometimes affect game balance, and using some glitches might even result in penalties for online play.

Compatibility with Mods

The modding community for Elden Ring is very active, with mods ranging from simple cosmetic changes to major overhauls of gameplay. Sometimes, mods may only be compatible with specific versions of the game. To experience a specific mod, you might need to revert to the game version the mod was designed for.

Playing with Friends

If your friends are playing on a different version of Elden Ring, you might need to match their version to play online co-op or PvP together. The game requires you to be on the same version for seamless multiplayer functionality. Playing with friends on a mismatched game version can cause disconnects and errors.

Performance Issues

Occasionally, game updates can introduce performance issues on some systems. If you experience frame rate drops or stuttering after an update, going back to a previous version may improve your game experience. Before doing so, try updating your graphics card drivers or making sure you are running the game on correct graphics setting first.

The Steam Console Method: A Step-by-Step Guide

The most common method for changing your Elden Ring game version on Steam involves using the Steam console. This is a hidden feature that is primarily used by developers, but you can use it to download older versions of games.

Accessing the Steam Console

Before you begin, it is important to know that reverting to an older version of Elden Ring is not a supported feature of Steam, so be very careful while following these steps, to avoid any error. Here’s how to access the Steam Console:

• Open your Steam client.
• Press Windows Key + R, type steam://open/console in the dialog box, and then press Enter.
• A new tab, called ‘CONSOLE’, will appear in your Steam client. If it doesn’t appear, restarting your Steam client after following this step might help.

Finding the Correct Manifest ID

Each build of Elden Ring, like any other game on Steam, is identified by a unique ID called a “manifest ID”. You’ll need the specific manifest ID of the version you want to roll back to.

To find manifest IDs, you will have to do some online research, since steam doesn’t offer a catalog of manifests. This information is usually found on forums, modding websites, or fan communities dedicated to Elden Ring. Some dedicated websites maintain lists of manifest IDs for various game versions. A simple search online should give you results.

Keep in mind:

• The manifest IDs are specific to the version of the game and can be different in each update.
• Always ensure you are getting manifest IDs from reliable sources to prevent any issue with the process.

Downloading the Older Version

Once you have the correct manifest ID, you can use the following command in the Steam console:

download_depot 1245620 1245621 [manifest id]

• 1245620 is the app ID for Elden Ring.
• 1245621 is the depot ID for the game files.
• Replace [manifest id] with the actual manifest ID you found.

For example, if the manifest ID you want to download is 9876543210, the command should look like this:

download_depot 1245620 1245621 9876543210

Press enter to initiate download. The download process will start, and Steam will tell you where the game files are being saved. Typically, they will be located in a newly created folder within your Steam download directory, usually in a folder named “depotcache”. The process will take some time depending on your internet speed, so be patient and let it download.

Copying the Older Game Files

After the download is complete, navigate to the folder where the older version of the game has been downloaded. Copy all the files that are there.

Go to your Steam games directory for Elden Ring. This is where your current Elden Ring files are located.

Generally, the game path is:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\ELDEN RING\Game or where you installed Elden Ring.

Paste all the files you copied from the depotcache into this folder and replace the existing files. Steam will give you a prompt to overwrite the files. Click yes to overwrite.

This will replace your current game files with the older version you just downloaded. It is highly advised to backup the existing game folder beforehand, in case something goes wrong.

Preventing Automatic Updates

Steam will try to automatically update the game back to the latest version. To avoid this, you need to stop Steam from auto-updating the game:

• Right-click on Elden Ring in your Steam library.
• Select “Properties”.
• Go to the “Updates” tab.
• Select “Only update this game when I launch it.”

This prevents Steam from updating the game in the background. Now, when you want to play on the older version you downloaded, you can launch it directly from the game folder, by clicking the eldenring.exe file. You should start the game this way every time, if you want to play on the older version, if you start the game from steam, the game will get updated automatically.

Going Back to the Latest Version

Whenever you want to go back to the latest version of Elden Ring, you can follow these steps:

• Go back to the “Updates” tab in the Elden Ring properties on Steam.
• Select the option to update the game automatically.
• Start the game from the steam client, and it will update.

Or alternatively you can verify the integrity of your game files to revert to the latest version:

• Right-click on Elden Ring in your Steam library.
• Select “Properties”.
• Go to the “Installed Files” tab.
• Click “Verify integrity of game files”.

Steam will compare the game files to the current version and replace any modified files.

Important Considerations

Changing your game version is not without risk. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Risk of Corrupted Saves

Going back to an older version could cause issues with your save files if they are not compatible. Always back up your game saves before making any changes to your game version.

Multiplayer Compatibility

As mentioned earlier, online multiplayer functionality only works when all players are on the same version of the game. When you roll back, you may be unable to play with friends who are on the latest version, as the game will not allow you to play on different versions.

Potential Bugs and Instability

Older versions of the game might have bugs or stability issues that were fixed in later versions. Be prepared for potential crashes or other problems that may affect your game experience.

Steam Updates

Steam may eventually force an update regardless of your settings. It’s wise to check your game version regularly and be prepared to repeat the process if necessary. Keep an eye on Steam community forums and the Elden Ring community to see when Steam pushes game updates. This will help you be prepared to update the game or re-apply the previous version files if needed.

Game Save Backups

Before you roll back your game, it is very important to backup your game saves, in case they are corrupted during the process or cause issues when you roll back to a different game version. These save files are usually in the following folder:

C:\Users\[your username]\AppData\Roaming\EldenRing

Copy this folder to a safe location as backup.

Legal and Ethical Considerations

While this guide focuses on the technical side of reverting game versions, it’s also worth mentioning that modifying a game like this, might be a violation of the terms of service of the game. It is always good to be sure, to be fully aware of all risks associated with modding or changing your game version. Consider the ethical implications of accessing glitches or exploits. These are your own personal choices to make.

Alternatives to Reverting Game Versions

If you are hesitant to use the Steam Console method, there are some alternatives to get a similar experience, although they may not fully revert the game to the exact old version.

Using Mods

For some users, mods can provide similar changes to an older game version, without fully reverting the game. Mods can often tweak game mechanics and balance to mimic older game versions. However, be aware that you must be on a compatible game version for those mods to work.

Watching Old Gameplay Videos

If your main objective is just to experience older versions of Elden Ring, you can simply watch videos of earlier builds. This allows you to see how the game looked and played, without any risk of corrupting your game files or save games.

Waiting for Community Patches

The modding community may eventually release patches or mods that help you recreate specific aspects of previous versions of the game, like older gameplay mechanics or bugs. This might not be a perfect solution, but it is often the safer and more convenient method.