The Duskbloods’ Switch 2 Test Drew More Applications Than Elden Ring Nightreign’s

Producer Yasuhiro Kitao said FromSoftware was surprised by the August test's response, though neither game's application total was disclosed and the studio still questioned whether that interest would translate into more players at launch.

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A lone character walks through a dim gothic hall in The Duskbloods.

The Duskbloods attracted more applications for its first network test than Elden Ring Nightreign did for its May 2025 network testing, despite FromSoftware’s upcoming multiplayer game being exclusive to a single console.

FromSoftware producer Yasuhiro Kitao shared the comparison during an August 22 Famitsu livestream. “We were really surprised,” Kitao said while discussing the number of people who applied to test The Duskbloods.

Neither game’s exact application total was disclosed. The comparison shows the level of interest surrounding FromSoftware’s new project, but it does not predict how the game will perform after launch.

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. Nightreign’s network testing therefore had access to a much broader hardware pool.

The first network test session ended early

The Duskbloods‘ network test ran from August 21–24, but its opening session was difficult. Server login failures prevented many selected participants from entering the game, so the August 21 session ended early, as detailed in the session report.

Five sessions had originally been planned, with each one lasting four hours. Closing the first session early left four sessions on the schedule, and the login problems appeared to ease as testing continued. By the end of the window, the broader player reaction had become more positive despite the difficult start.

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 official launch date yet. A separate report has suggested September 24, 2026, but that date remains unconfirmed. The completed test offered an early look at the game’s online systems, while the final player count remains unknown.

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.

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.