FromSoftware's The Duskbloods Sets Up First Playable Hands-On for Next Month
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
FromSoftware is holding a closed network test for its upcoming PvPvE multiplayer game, The Duskbloods, from August 21 to August 23, exclusively on the Nintendo Switch 2.
FromSoftware is opening the gates to its next major release much sooner than expected. According to a report by Elijah Gonzalez at Polygon, the studio behind Elden Ring and Dark Souls has scheduled a closed network test for its upcoming multiplayer title, The Duskbloods, running from August 21 to August 23. Applications open on July 22 and close on July 28. Fans hoping to jump into the early test need to note one major hurdle right out of the gate. Participation requires an active Nintendo Switch Online membership and a Nintendo Switch 2 system, as the game stands as a console exclusive for Nintendo's ecosystem.
This platform choice has raised eyebrows across the community, especially since Nintendo remains the primary console manufacturer that still gates demos and network tests behind paid online subscriptions. Following up on the studio's foray into multiplayer design seen in Elden Ring: Nightreign, The Duskbloods leans entirely into a PvPvE framework where up to eight players battle each other while managing hostile environmental foes. Trailers have showcased a wildly eclectic mix of character designs, ranging from Victorian nobles and steampunk pilots with jetpacks to dinosaurs and everyday fighters in pajamas, all wrapped in a gothic horror atmosphere that naturally invites Bloodborne comparisons.
While FromSoftware built its modern legacy on intricate single-player epics, this heavy push toward multiplayer-focused projects has sparked plenty of healthy debate within the community. The upcoming network test serves as the crucial first real test to see if the gameplay mechanics can win over skeptics who miss the traditional formula. You can read the original coverage over at Polygon.
Tags: FromSoftware, The Duskbloods, Nintendo Switch 2, Gaming News, Multiplayer
Original article: Polygon