A discussion tied to a well-known YouTube channel, run by a creator who goes by the name Zullie de Heks, explored a surprising discovery found within Elden Ring. The game’s data reportedly included unused animations for Potok, the faithful horse that accompanies the main character on journeys across the Lands Between. The find sparked curiosity because it hinted at design ideas that never made it to the final release, offering fans a rare look behind the curtain of development choices and asset management in a major action RPG.
The uploaded footage reveals that Potok once possessed idle behaviors that felt natural and alive. The horse could shake its mane, graze calmly on patches of grass, and even settle into a restful stance while the hero went about quests and battles. In moments where danger loomed, the Flow could respond with a quick defensive maneuver, such as kicking at nearby adversaries. These subtle animations painted Potok as more than a mere ride; they suggested a richer, more responsive companion, capable of conveying mood and intent through movement and timing.
The prevailing interpretation is that some of these behaviors were pruned during the production cycle. Developers often trim or retire animations to streamline performance, reduce memory usage, or simplify combat interactions. When players reach the point where the hero dismounts, the horse may disappear from the scene, and certain attack sequences tied to Potok appear to have been removed or never fully integrated. The video suggests that these assets existed as part of a broader vision for companion dynamics, one that would have allowed the creature to contribute more actively to combat and exploration than what shipped in the final version.
With Elden Ring having launched on February 25, the game has received periodic updates to polish balance, fix bugs, and refine performance. The patch history includes a notable update, 1.03.2, which addressed a notorious loop-related crash or repetitive behavior in certain circumstances, providing a smoother overall experience for many players. In the same period, the publisher and developers continued to explore distribution strategies and digital rights, including the handling of Steam keys and related storefront processes, reflecting standard practices in modern PC gaming commerce.