FromSoftware has revealed that The Duskbloods received more applications for its closed network test than Elden Ring: Nightreign, despite the fact that Nintendo Switch 2 has only recently launched.
The news comes from Yasuhiro Kitao, producer at FromSoftware, who discussed the upcoming multiplayer title during a recent Famitsu livestream. According to Kitao, the number of players hoping to participate in The Duskbloods network test exceeded the number of applicants for the Elden Ring: Nightreign network test.
FromSoftware was reportedly surprised by the level of interest, particularly given that The Duskbloods is being developed exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2, a relatively new platform that has not yet reached the install base of established hardware.
Kitao suggested that the response may also have been influenced by the reception to Elden Ring: Nightreign. While some players may have initially been hesitant about Nightreign because of its multiplayer-focused design, many eventually tried the game after launch and found themselves enjoying the experience.
“We were actually very surprised that the number of applicants for the network test for The Duskbloods was greater than those for Elden Ring: Nightreign.”
Kitao continued by explaining that FromSoftware expected the smaller Switch 2 user base to have an impact on the number of applications.
“Nintendo Switch 2 is of course new hardware and speaking in terms of number of users… well… for the Nightreign playtest I feel that many people overlooked it initially because it was multiplayer, but went on to play it after launch and really enjoyed it.”
According to Kitao, this may have encouraged players who previously skipped the Nightreign test to give The Duskbloods a chance.
“So I think that this time we received applications from many people who felt that maybe this time they’d try and participate in the network test.”
The response is particularly notable considering The Duskbloods is a very different project from the traditional single-player experiences that helped establish FromSoftware’s modern reputation. The game is built around multiplayer matches featuring up to eight players, with players taking on the role of Bloodsworn warriors competing in a gothic world filled with supernatural threats.
The closed network test was designed to help FromSoftware evaluate the game’s servers, multiplayer systems and overall balance before launch. The official test information states that the developers wanted to examine server load, interactions between players across different network environments and game balance based on real player data.
However, the test did not get off to a smooth start.
The first scheduled session on August 21 was affected by major server problems, with players unable to successfully connect to the game’s servers. FromSoftware eventually ended the session early and apologized to players who had been waiting to participate. The developer said it would continue working on the servers and announce further scheduling information.
The network test was originally scheduled to run across multiple sessions between August 21 and August 24, giving selected players several opportunities to participate. The test also requires a Nintendo Switch 2 and an active Nintendo Switch Online subscription.
Despite the problems surrounding the first session, the unusually high number of applicants suggests that interest in The Duskbloods is already substantial. The game represents one of FromSoftware’s biggest departures from its established formula, combining its trademark dark fantasy aesthetic with a multiplayer-focused structure and a Nintendo Switch 2-exclusive release.
The strong response could also indicate that players are becoming more receptive to FromSoftware experimenting with multiplayer after Elden Ring: Nightreign. While Nightreign initially faced some skepticism because of its cooperative and multiplayer focus, its eventual success may have helped demonstrate that there is an audience for FromSoftware’s take on a more multiplayer-driven experience.
The Duskbloods is scheduled to launch for Nintendo Switch 2 in 2026.