The Duskbloods attracted more applications for its closed network test than Elden Ring Nightreign did, despite FromSoftware’s upcoming multiplayer game being exclusive to a single console.
FromSoftware producer Yasuhiro Kitao revealed the comparison during a Famitsu interview. “We were really surprised,” Kitao said, describing the number of people who applied to test The Duskbloods.
The response stands out because Elden Ring Nightreign launched across PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One, while The Duskbloods is being developed only for Nintendo Switch 2. A broader platform reach would normally give Nightreign access to a much larger pool of potential applicants.
Kitao did not treat the test applications as a guaranteed forecast for launch. FromSoftware is still asking whether The Duskbloods will attract more players when it releases, and Kitao said Nightreign will probably remain ahead once both games are available.
Even with that caution, the early interest is a welcome sign for a multiplayer-focused game. A healthy player population can help keep matchmaking active and give a project room to build a lasting audience after launch. The Duskbloods’ test response suggests that the Switch 2 audience is paying close attention, even if the final player count is still unknown.
The game’s single-console release also has a technical backstory. Hidetaka Miyazaki previously explained that FromSoftware began working on The Duskbloods for the original Switch in 2021, but the newer hardware gave the team a way to solve problems that had blocked the multiplayer project, as detailed in the explanation behind its Switch 2 exclusivity.
FromSoftware has only confirmed a 2026 release window for The Duskbloods, so there is no exact launch date to pair with the network test interest yet. The test itself should offer a clearer sense of how the game handles its online systems and how much attention turns into active participation.
Will The Duskbloods’ early test demand carry over to launch? Share your thoughts in the comments, and follow along on X, Bluesky, YouTube, Instagram, Steam, and Telegram.
The Duskbloods
Developed by FromSoftware
An online multiplayer PvPvE game where players vie for supremacy among themselves and against challenging foes. Play as the "Bloodsworn"; a group that has transcended human strength thanks to their special blood, and throw yourself into a violent fray for "First Blood" as the twilight of humanity approaches. The moontears will flow for one and one alone.
- Platforms Nintendo Switch 2
- Perspective Third person
- Modes Single player, Multiplayer
- Release December 31, 2026
- Publisher FromSoftware, Nintendo
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Age Rating
