Randy Orton, the legendary WWE wrestler, suddenly showed himself from a completely different side — and he did it without pathos, in a human way. In a recent interview, he admitted that he has spent more than 600 hours in the game since the release of Elden Ring. Not “sometimes in the evenings”, not “on weekends”, but really a lot, as it happens only with what really catches on. Yes, Elden Ring has already become FromSoftware’s most successful project, attracting millions of players around the world, but Orton’s level of engagement is still out of the picture. He didn’t just stop by to take a look — he thoroughly settled in the gloomy and dangerous lands of the Interfamily, having gone there with his head.
And there’s nothing strange about that, if you think about it. Elden Ring knows how to tighten — slowly, stubbornly, almost imperceptibly. Orton’s story only confirms that the game doesn’t just work for “typical” gamers. She calmly gets to people from completely different fields, whether it’s movies, sports or, as in this case, professional wrestling. His recognition is not just a funny fact, but another proof that Elden Ring has long ceased to be just a popular game and has become a cultural phenomenon.
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Randy Orton’s Odyssey in the Elden Ring: Over 600 hours that flew by unnoticed
If you follow Randy Orton at all, his love for the Elden Ring is unlikely to come as a surprise. Since its release in 2022, he has repeatedly spoken about his passion for the game and even boasted about the level 527 character. Yes, it later surfaced that he was upgraded to the hundredth level for money, but this, by and large, does not change anything. There was real interest in the game back then, and even more so now.
In a recent episode of the What Do You Wanna Talk About video series, where Orton talked with Cody Rhodes, he calmly and without trying to impress said: it took more than 600 hours for the Elden Ring. Moreover, his enthusiasm only intensified after the spinal fusion operation. The restoration provided a rare luxury — time. And he spent it the way he wanted to: exploring the world, dying, starting over and moving forward again.
For comparison, completing the Elden Ring complete with DLC takes approximately 180 hours, according to How Long to Beat. Everything beyond that is no longer about “putting a check mark”, but about real immersion. And here Orton’s numbers speak for themselves.
This story brings us back to the main point again — the Elden Ring sticks for a long time. Not for a week, not for a month. The game keeps players engaged through challenging battles, a confusing but compelling entourage, and a world in which you constantly want to take a wrong turn. FromSoftware has managed to create a project that does not flirt with the player, does not simplify the path, but at the same time rewards patience and curiosity. Judging by Orton’s experience, even people with huge life and professional baggage find something of their own in the Interfamily.
For Randy himself, Elden Ring has long gone beyond the usual hobby. In an interview, he talked about the game with that calm enthusiasm that happens when a person is really passionate. He noted depth, attention to detail, and a sense of constant challenge. “It’s a game that’s just addictive,— Orton said. — There is always something new. A new enemy, a new place, a new challenge. You’re on your guard all the time, and that’s what I like.”
There is no advertising gloss in this confession — rather, it is the honest emotion of a person who has found an outlet for himself. And that’s why Orton’s story works. As a major figure in the entertainment industry, he unwittingly attracts a new audience to the Elden Ring, but he does this not with loud slogans, but by personal example. Its 600 hours are the best proof that even a hardcore, demanding game can captivate for a long time if you give it a chance.
In a broader sense, Orton’s fascination speaks to cultural shifts. The line between “serious” forms of entertainment and video games has long been blurred, and such stories only emphasize this. In this context, Elden Ring becomes not just a successful release, but part of the overall cultural picture. And while players around the world continue to return to the Interfamily, Randy Orton’s dedication looks like a clear reminder: truly strong games don’t let go – and this is perhaps their main achievement.
Randy Orton’s gaming hobbies are not limited to Elden Ring
Elden Ring is not the first game in which Randy Orton is ready to disappear for hours. The WWE star has repeatedly shown that he likes large-scale, addictive open worlds where you can disappear for dozens of nights in a row. So, last year, Orton said that he spent about 50 hours in Starfield— an ambitious sci-fi RPG from Bethesda. However, the wrestler did not specify exactly what he was doing all this time among the stars and space stations. But after admitting to more than 600 hours spent in the Elden Ring, his gaming habits were back in the spotlight.
However, Orton’s strong attachment to the Elden Ring hardly surprises anyone. The game became a real hit, and back in 2023, the FromSoftware developers themselves admitted that they did not fully understand why the project had hooked the audience so much. According to them, freedom of action, high complexity without compromise and deep, catchy ENT played a key role. Judging by Orton’s own words, it was this combination that became decisive for him. He has repeatedly stressed that he appreciates the scale, depth and sense of constant challenge in the Elden Ring.
“Elden Ring is one of those addictive games,— Orton said in an interview. — You always find something new: another place, another enemy, another challenge. She doesn’t let you relax, and that’s the whole thrill.” And these words are perfectly confirmed by the numbers. More than 600 hours spent in Intermarriage is really a lot. For comparison, the complete passage of the Elden Ring along with the DLC takes about 180 hours, according to the How Long to Beat website. Everything beyond that is no longer about “passing through”, but about the desire to figure it out, master the mechanics and see absolutely everything.
Interest in the game has not waned with the release of the Shadow of the Erdtree add-on. The DLC sold five million copies in just three days, finally cementing the status of a cultural phenomenon for the Elden Ring and proving that interest in this vast open world is still very high.
It is also interesting that Orton’s passion for Elden Ring was not limited to the usual game “from scratch”. He admitted that he had paid at the start to upgrade his character to level 100. Yes, it gave a certain advantage, but the hundreds of hours that followed clearly show that it wasn’t an easy start. His interest in the game turned out to be much deeper than just a desire to become stronger faster.
In a broader sense, Orton’s story illustrates well the cultural influence of the Elden Ring. This is a rare example of how the worlds of professional wrestling and video games intersect so organically. Orton’s passion is another proof that video games have long been a full—fledged part of mainstream entertainment. The boundaries between traditional media and interactive formats continue to blur, and gaming is increasingly perceived as a serious form of art and self-expression.
The fact that Orton openly shares his gaming experience only enhances the effect. As a prominent figure in the entertainment industry, he unwittingly attracts a new audience to the Elden Ring, for whom his example can be decisive. As a result, the game only strengthens its status as a must—have project for a wide variety of players, regardless of age, profession, or gaming experience.
And the Elden Ring is not the only example. Orton’s interest in Starfield and other large-scale open-world projects shows that more and more famous people are finding just such deep and unhurried game worlds for themselves. While Elden Ring continues to capture the attention of millions of players around the world, Randy Orton’s dedication remains clear evidence of its long-term appeal. His fascination with games in general speaks to the main thing: modern video games are able to go beyond the usual entertainment, combining different spheres of culture and forcing a new look at what an interactive experience can be.
