Footage from an upcoming trailer for From Software's Elden Ring has started to appear online.

As reported by VGC, the video – which was being shared in chat groups – describes the game as “an all-new fantasy action RPG franchise from the creators of Dark Souls, Bloodborne and Sekiro." Gameplay footage shows From Software's regular style of melee combat, as well as larger-than-life boss battles and the player traversing Elden Ring's open world on horseback.

Some of this footage has started to be shared on social media.

Elden Ring was announced back at E3 2019 but there has been no further information since. VGC sources say that development was hit hard by the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. One source said it is unlikely that the game will be released this year.

The fact this trailer has been made suggests that some kind of an announcement is imminent, even if it is just showing off gameplay for the first time. Earlier this month, rumours emerged that Microsoft was holding an event later in March, with Xbox marketing boss Aaron Greenberg saying that Elden Ring was not going to be part of this.

“Just to set expectations: this is not happening," Greenberg said about speculation that Elden Ring would be part of this.

"There are always things we have in the works, but nothing coming soon that would feature game announcements or world premieres like this.”

Elden Ring is a collaboration between From Software and Game of Thrones writer George RR Martin. To date, From's Dark Souls series has shifted over 27 million copies.