Elden Ring players on Steam warn others about hackers sabotaging save files through cheats and hacks. A group called “Shadow of Cinderella” is notorious for this behavior, engaging in hacking, cheating, and even harassing streamers through stream sniping. Players report that these hackers enter other players’ online sessions and use hacks or cheats that can damage the victims’ saved files.
This is possible due to FromSoftware’s unique approach to online functionality, which allows players to drop into another player’s session, sometimes as hostile invaders aiming to kill their victims. At the same time, this system has evolved in Elden Ring and fostered a robust player-versus-player scene, not all invaders play by the rules. The “Shadow of Cinderella” group is a prime example of this, allegedly disrupting games repeatedly.
Hackers ruining Elden Ring experience
Encountering players using hacks can have severe consequences, such as negatively impacting a victim’s save file. For instance, a hacker can enter another player’s game and kill an endgame boss before the player can face it themselves, ruining their gaming experience.
To mitigate the chances of encountering these hackers, Elden Ring players on Steam advise others to block and report known members of “Shadow of Cinderella.” Blocking a person on Steam reduces the likelihood of encountering them in matchmaking via summoning or invasions. Additionally, players should back up their save files regularly to avoid losing progress due to potential hacker encounters. While some invader interactions can be entertaining, most lead to frustration and negatively impact the gaming experience.
Bandai Namco and FromSoftware must address these exploits and ensure a safer multiplayer environment. If left unchecked, multiplayer in their games may become more of a liability than a benefit.