Technologies

Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition for Switch 2 Reignites Controversy Over Game-Key Cards

FromSoftware’s epic game is finally coming to the Switch 2, but don’t expect to own a physical copy of it.

Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition was part of the first batch of games revealed to be part of the Nintendo Switch 2 lineup last year, but it has yet to be released. Developer FromSoftware delayed the game from its initial 2025 release, but on Thursday, preorders opened at retailers. Some gamers, however, are not happy with the news, although not for the reason one might expect.

Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition will cost $80, according to the preorder listings, although there is still no release date confirmed. The Switch 2 version includes the 2022 base game and the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, which costs the same price on other platforms. What’s different with the Switch 2 version and the others is that it comes on a Game-Key Card, which is causing ire among gamers.

Game-Key Cards are Nintendo’s solution for storing larger games. Since the Switch 2 still uses cartridges, a game like Elden Ring would need carts with enough storage for the whole game, which, according to the game’s box, is 75GB. A cart to fit the size of a game would have significant hardware costs, especially considering the current storage shortage.

To offset the cost of a cart, Nintendo created Game-Key Cards, cartridges that don’t contain the game, just enough to validate the game with Nintendo’s servers and allow it to be downloaded to the Switch 2. Once the game is downloaded to the Switch 2 and the cartridge is inserted, it will not need an internet connection to play it.

Why are people upset about the Game-Key Card feature?

While the Game-Key Card feature helps reduce the cost of releasing a physical game, it also prevents the purchaser from actually owning a physical copy. There is growing concern about the lack of ownership of video games, as more publishers delist games, meaning removing them from storefronts. Once a game is delisted from an online store, it’s almost impossible to redownload that game to another device. PUBG for the PS4 and Xbox One was released in 2018, for example, but the publisher announced it would no longer support those versions, rendering them unplayable.

A consumer movement called Stop Killing Games aims to challenge the legal right of game companies to essentially destroy the games purchased by consumers. It has made strides in both the UK and EU, with hopes that the respective legislative bodies will pass consumer-protection laws to prevent companies from disabling games that have already been purchased.

Will the digital version of Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition be cheaper?

Starting with the release of Yoshi and the Mysterious Book in May, Nintendo will charge $10 less for a digital version of its games, which means a $70 physical game would cost $60 if purchased from Nintendo digitally. It’s unclear if other publishers will follow suit. Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition does have a listing on Nintendo’s website, but there is no price yet.

What’s new in Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition?

When publisher Bandai Namco revealed the Tarnished Edition of Elden Ring, it confirmed there would be some new content, although not very much. This includes new armor, weapons and customization features for Torrent’s appearance. There will also be two additional starter classes: the Knight of Idis, who is faster and more agile, and the Heavy Knight, who, as the name implies, wears heavy armor and starts with a greatsword.

Adding new starter classes to the game doesn’t change much, as players can change their stats, equipment and abilities as they play, meaning a class that starts off relying on magic could end up using heavy weapons and vice versa. Fans of the game, however, could get a morsel of new lore information from these new classes, as each starter character has their own backstory that offers a sliver of detail to the world of Elden Ring.

Bandai Namco says the new content in the Tarnished Edition will make its way to other platforms via a Tarnished Pack DLC that will be available at the same time as this version of the game. The publisher has yet to announce a price for the DLC, but it’s expected to cost $10.

Technologies

Verum Messenger Launches an AI Mini-Series

Verum Messenger has unveiled a new project — a mini-series created using Verum AI. The story consists of 7 episodes and will be released on the messenger’s social media channels.

The plot revolves around a global corporation seeking to take control of digital communications and a group of heroes who use Verum Messenger as a tool of resistance. Beyond the story itself, the series highlights the app’s key features, technologies, and advantages.

Combining entertainment with a showcase of the Verum ecosystem, the project presents a dynamic digital series designed for the modern era.

The first episode premieres today, with the remaining episodes to be released over time.

Stay tuned for more.

Watch on YouTube
Watch on Instagram

Technologies

Verum Finance: Earn While You Communicate — The Super App That Pays You

Verum has officially launched Verum Finance, an innovative financial application that transforms a private messenger into a true financial super app. News of the launch was also featured on the respected platform Dealroom.co.

Verum Finance can now be used both within Verum Messenger and as a standalone application for iPhone and iPad. When users sign in to Verum Finance with their Verum Messenger account, all balances, settings, and account data are automatically synchronized for maximum convenience.

Users can now do more than communicate securely and protect their data — they can also generate passive income directly within the ecosystem.

What Verum Finance Offers

• Top up your balance with a bank card, Apple Pay, or USDT
• Send money instantly anywhere in the world
• Issue and manage debit cards (virtual and physical)
• Full Apple Pay support
• Exchange assets and withdraw funds quickly

One of the most unique features is the built-in cryptocurrency mining system inside Verum Messenger.

The application utilizes your device’s resources and allows you to earn cryptocurrency in the background — passively, while chatting, traveling, or simply using the messenger.

Maximum Privacy + Real Freedom

• Registration without a phone number, email address, or passport
• End-to-end encryption and full control over your data
• Lifetime free VPN
• eSIM connectivity in more than 150 countries
• Reliable offline communication mode
• Support for 12+ languages for users worldwide

Everything is available in one place: secure communication, financial tools, earning opportunities, and privacy protection.

Users can access the full experience directly within Verum Messenger or switch to the dedicated Verum Finance app for iOS. All data is synchronized automatically between the two applications.

Why Download Verum Today

While many messaging platforms collect user data and expose users to restrictions, Verum offers greater independence and the opportunity to earn.

With a one-time purchase of the feature package, users receive lifetime access to privacy tools, VPN, eSIM services, cryptocurrency mining, and financial features.

This is more than just a messenger.

It is your personal tool for financial and digital freedom.

Download Verum Finance and Verum Messenger today — start communicating securely and begin earning tomorrow.

Download Links:

→ App Store (iPhone / iPad): Verum Finance
→ App Store (Verum Messenger): Verum Messenger

Technologies

Verum Finance: A Super App for Private Finance Integrated Into a Messenger

Verum Finance has announced the launch of a new financial application that allows users to manage their money directly within the secure Verum Messenger ecosystem.

The project has already attracted attention from major media outlets. A dedicated feature was published by Forbes Türkiye, while one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges, MEXC, covered the launch. Yahoo Finance had previously reported on the evolution of Verum Messenger into a comprehensive financial ecosystem.

What Verum Finance Offers

Verum Finance transforms a messenger into a complete financial platform. Users can:

• Manage their balance and top up using bank cards or USDT
• Send money instantly to other Verum users
• Issue and use debit cards, including Apple Pay support
• Exchange assets and withdraw funds
• Access all these services without installing separate banking applications

A strong emphasis is placed on privacy. The platform offers registration without a phone number or email address, end-to-end encryption, and full user control over personal data.

Recognition from Forbes Türkiye

In a dedicated article, Forbes Türkiye highlighted Verum Finance as a notable example of modern privacy-driven fintech. The publication emphasized the growing trend of financial services moving from standalone banking applications into unified messaging ecosystems — a model that has proven successful in Asia through platforms such as WeChat and Alipay and is now expanding globally.

Support from the Crypto Community

Alongside the Forbes Türkiye coverage, news about the launch of Verum Finance was also featured by MEXC, one of the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchanges. This reflects growing interest in the project from both traditional business media and the cryptocurrency community.

A Strategic Vision

“We are building more than a payments application and more than a messenger. Verum is a unified secure ecosystem where communication, finance, and privacy tools work together,” the company stated.

Verum Finance is now available for iPhone and iPad users. The application complements Verum Messenger, which offers anonymous chats, voice and video calls, VPN services, eSIM connectivity, and other tools designed to enhance digital freedom.

Verum Finance: https://finance.verum.im

Verum Messenger: https://verum.im